Translation exercise 21-17

[laepelba]

I will only ask about two sentences in this translation.

1) English sentence: I am going to get my own birthday present.
Translation: Voy a comprar mi propio regalo de cumpleaños.
Question: I used "conseguir" in place of "comprar". Is "conseguir" okay here?

2) English sentence: Why is that?
MY translation: ¿Por qué es eso?
The book's translation: ¿Y eso por qué?
Question: HUH?? What in the world is that? My book says "¿Y eso?" means "why" (which I do not understand at all). But if that's the case, then "¿Y eso por qué?" means "Why why?". HUH??

Thanks for any help you can give me!

[chileno]

Originally Posted by laepelba

I will only ask about two sentences in this translation.

1) English sentence: I am going to get my own birthday present.
Translation: Voy a comprar mi propio regalo de cumpleaños.
Question: I used "conseguir" in place of "comprar". Is "conseguir" okay here?

2) English sentence: Why is that?
MY translation: ¿Por qué es eso?
The book's translation: ¿Y eso por qué?
Question: HUH?? What in the world is that? My book says "¿Y eso?" means "why" (which I do not understand at all). But if that's the case, then "¿Y eso por qué?" means "Why why?". HUH??

Thanks for any help you can give me!

I guess in English is the same and these would depend of context.

I am going to buy my own birthday gift. You know what? Get it anywhere you want.

Same for #2

[laepelba]

Sorry, Hernan - I have no idea what you're talking about.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by laepelba

1) English sentence: I am going to get my own birthday present.

I agree with you - why does the answer assume you are going to buy the present? It could mean that for the first time in your life, somebody is going to actually give you a present on your birthday. Or it could mean that you are going to treat yourself to something, not necessarily from a shop.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Originally Posted by laepelba

I will only ask about two sentences in this translation.

1) English sentence: I am going to get my own birthday present.
Translation: Voy a comprar mi propio regalo de cumpleaños.
Question: I used "conseguir" in place of "comprar". Is "conseguir" okay here?

"Conseguir" would imply a longer process to have it than simply buying it.
It may suggest that there has been something impeding you from getting your present.
Using the verb "comprar" may be introduced by the fact that "my own birthday present" means that no one will give you one, so you have to buy one for yourself.


2) English sentence: Why is that?
MY translation: ¿Por qué es eso? (Slightly artificial, but not wrong)
The book's translation: ¿Y eso por qué?
Question: HUH?? What in the world is that? My book says "¿Y eso?" means "why" (which I do not understand at all). But if that's the case, then "¿Y eso por qué?" means "Why why?". HUH??
No, it doesn't mean "why why". "¿Y eso?" is an expression which in general asks for an explanation of something. By itself, it may mean "how come?", "what is that?", "how is that?". "¿Y eso por qué?" is also like asking "how can that be?"

Comments and (hopefully) answers above.

[laepelba]

Thanks, y'all. That's helpful.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by laepelba

Sorry, Hernan - I have no idea what you're talking about.

No problem. Thank you for replying, at least.