Ask a Question(Create a thread) |
|
Piedra de toqueAn idiom is an expression whose meaning is not readily apparent based on the individual words in the expression. This forum is dedicated to discussing idioms and other sayings. |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
||||
|
||||
Piedra de toque
Literally, a "piedra de toque" is a hard rock where you draw two lines, one using a rod of good gold or silver and the other using a ring or another object you want to try. When you add acid to those lines the change of colour tells you the quality of those precious metals by comparison.
But we use the phrase figuratively to refer to the element that let us sort out good/right and bad/evil/wrong, that is, some key factor that allows to categorize a thing or a circumstance. The sense is not only material but mainly ethical or spiritual. In a nutshell, "piedra de toque" is what we use to determine if something is good or bad, right or wrong, good or evil, useful or junk. It's a key element to a diagnosis, that's why people use to mix it up with a key element of the thing to be diagnosed (they mix up "piedra de toque" with "piedra angular" -cornerstone- and "clave" or "dovela" -keystone-). How can we express the same notions in English?
__________________
[gone] |
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
|
#2
|
||||
|
||||
A literal translation works: touchstone. It has 76 entries in BNC, although a few of them are references to the character by that name in one of Shakespeare's plays.
|
#3
|
||||
|
||||
In some specific contexts, perhaps a shibboleth is one possibility.
|
#4
|
||||
|
||||
Thank you both. I couldn't find it in my favourite dictionary so I "panicked" instead of consulting another one.
I didn't know this term shibboleth. It sounds a little bit discriminatory. I can't think of any use of "piedra de toque" that might imply inclusion/exclusion.
__________________
[gone] |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
A little far afield, but maybe the gold standard?
|
#6
|
||||
|
||||
Oxford gives
piedra de toque (en joyería) touchstone, standard; (muestra, punto de referencia) touchstone Granada University bilingual gives a good example, The touchstone for professional practice are the professional codes of ethics that govern medicine in face-to-face relationships with patients. Moliner gives, P. de toque. 1 Roca silícea, generalmente de color negro, que se emplea para valorar la riqueza en oro de una aleación, por el color que ésta deja al frotarla contra un trozo de ella. Þ Lidita. 2 Cosa o situación que sirve para *probar o confirmar cierta cualidad, sentimiento, etc., de alguien: ‘Esa será la piedra de toque de su vocación’. lidita1 f. Variedad de jaspe; se emplea para contrastar el oro. Oxford (again) gives (for shibboleth) a (idea) dogma m b (distinguishing characteristic) (liter) rasgo m distintivo c (password) santo m y seña I agree with Perikles, in that, in one way "shibboleth" could work in specific contexts. And yes, "gold standard" may go far afield, but it's a good option to have in some metaphoric context... As usual the proof of the pudding is in the eating of it. And you know if someone is Argentinean and not from Nicaragua, not in the "voseo", but in their lexical choices... ain't that right?
__________________
Lo propio de la verdad es que se basta a sí misma, aquel que la posee no intenta convencer a nadie. "An enemy is somebody who flatters you. A friend is somebody who criticizes the living daylights out of you." |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
Sure, it is!
Thank you for that information, JPablo.
__________________
[gone] |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
You're welcome, aleCcowaN!
__________________
Lo propio de la verdad es que se basta a sí misma, aquel que la posee no intenta convencer a nadie. "An enemy is somebody who flatters you. A friend is somebody who criticizes the living daylights out of you." |
Link to this thread | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
La piedra lunar | Perikles | Translations | 8 | August 29, 2011 09:34 AM |
Tirar la piedra y esconder la mano | ROBINDESBOIS | Idioms & Sayings | 2 | July 29, 2010 09:26 AM |
Convidado de piedra | ROBINDESBOIS | Idioms & Sayings | 7 | December 27, 2009 08:03 AM |
Quedarse de piedra | ROBINDESBOIS | Idioms & Sayings | 4 | July 23, 2009 10:04 PM |
"Toque su puerta" ? | Yelena | Vocabulary | 4 | December 13, 2007 01:40 PM |