Backwater

[poli]

This is a word more often used metaphorically than literally. As a metaphor, it means a backward or isolated place. I have heard the term de la quinta, but I think it is a Colombia specific term, and it may not match the definition. Is term other than un lugar atrasado con poca cultura?

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

I had never seen this expression before, so let's see what others say.
I think it might be something like "un pueblo atrasado/primitivo/subdesarrollado"...

Do you have any specific sentences in mind so I can have a better idea and provide a more accurate translation?

[poli]

.It's far from institutes of higher education, and there's no theater. With no good hospital nearby, it's hard to find a specialist. What doctor, educator, artist would want to work in that backwater? Even if an artist appeared here, would anyone come to see them?

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

I see. Here are some proposals:

- ¿Quién querría vivir en un pueblito tan atrasado? (Here, "pueblito" is not an endearment diminutive; it emphasizes how insignificant the place is.)
- Es un pueblo rascuache donde no hay ni hospital ni teatro ni nada. ("Pueblo rascuache" is a very pejorative term, and it emphasizes how poor it is.)
- Aun si hubiera un artista en este triste pueblo, nadie vendría a verlo. ("Triste" is a pejorative term here too. The word has nothing to do with an emotion, except the contempt the speaker feels for the place.)
- Nadie querría vivir en un pueblo dejado de la mano de Dios. ("Godforsaken town".)
And you can make combinations: "este triste pueblito rascuache". If you want to show more contempt, you will have to curse.

[poli]

Thank you. You don't need a dictionary to know what rascuache means. By its sound alone, then negativity is communicated.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Yeah, I guess the derogative is in the sound, indeed.

[Tyrn]

WordReference for boondocks gives a wealth of relevant expressions, quinto something included.