Translate this Sentence

[mrkool078]

It was copied from an article posted on the Spanish edition of CNN's website:

El jefe de la cárcel señaló a CNN que no hay un sistema que les permita enviar a esta gente a casa, encarcelarlos o dejarlos ir.

[Rusty]

What part don't you understand?

[mrkool078]

I was stuck on the use of les instead of los in "les permita", but then I found the link to the grammar page. Now, I know that le is used when a human is the object.

Also, I am still confused about whether "esta gente" translates to "this people" or "these people." Based on the context, I think it's "these people". Is this correct?

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

"Les" is an indirect object pronoun; it's not only used when a person is involved.
And you are right, it's "these people". "This people" would be "este pueblo".

[Rusty]

Actually, 'le' (or its plural form 'les') is an indirect object pronoun and it is used for both animate and inanimate indirect objects.

The grammar page citation you mentioned must have been addressing grammar issues - native speakers in many areas use 'le' as a masculine direct object pronoun, instead of 'lo'. This practice is called leismo.

esta gente (singular) = these people (plural)

Did you notice that the antecedent of 'los' is the singular word 'gente'?
What happened there was that the author switched gears, changing the reference from the collective 'gente' to the individuals.
The antecedent of 'les' isn't given, but we can assume that it is a reference to not only the 'jefe' speaking to CNN, but also to his peers (other prison directors).

[mrkool078]

You two cleared up my misunderstandings. Thank you!