Please help with translation

[chilewillie]

Can someone please help me with this? The trouble I am having is with the meaning of the word 'su' in this sentence because as I understand it can have many meanings.

'Un motivo adicional es que la visita de su familia le ayudará a calmar algunos de los rumores que circulan aquí. Varios de mis cuñadas me dicen que usted está buscando más que "sólo amistad" con Maria. Todos saben que con Maria, no hay nada que tenga que preocuparse, pero aún así siente que su deseo es obvio, y es incómodo para todos.'

Thank you in advance.

[Jessica]

Here's the translation use this forum's translator:

'An additional reason is that his family's visit will help calm some of the rumors circulating here. Several of my sisters tell me that you are looking for more than "just friendship" with Maria. Everyone knows that to Maria, there is no need to worry, but still feels that his desire is obvious, and is uncomfortable for everyone. "


su here means "his"

(I think)

[Rusty]

Is there any more context? We can't be absolutely certain how to translate su without it. There are two occurrences of the word su in the narrative, by the way, and both could be translated differently. The machine chose to translate them both the same way.

[chilewillie]

Thanks. Perhaps I am approaching this in reverse. What I am trying to do is essentially write this in spanish:

'An additional reason is that 'your' family's visit will help calm some of the rumors circulating here. Several of my sisters-in-law tell me that you are looking for more than "just friendship" with Maria. Everyone knows that with Maria, there is no need to worry, but they still feel that 'your' desire is obvious, and this is uncomfortable for everyone.

'su deseo' could mean her desire, his desire, or your desire, but a misunderstanding in this context could change the meaning of the sentence completely.

[Jessica]

oh so su actually means your in this text?

[Rusty]

There's nothing wrong with using su as the translation of your. It's obvious that there is more to this narrative than what we're seeing here. What the listener/reader understands from the passage will very much depend on the preceding context.

There are some errors in your translation. If you'd like some suggestions, we'd be happy to help.

[ookami]

Originally Posted by chilewillie

'Un motivo adicional es que la visita de su familia (without "le") ayudará a calmar algunos de los rumores que circulan aquí. Varias de mis cuñadas me dicen que usted está buscando más que "sólo amistad" con María. Todos saben que con María, no hay de que preocuparse, pero aún así sienten que su deseo es obvio, y esto es incómodo para todos.'

It's literal, there can be more options (literals too) and it depends a little of the context, but if I have to, I'll translate it like that.

[chilewillie]

Thank you. I really appreciate your help. I am an expat living in Chile and am struggling to learn the language.

[Tomisimo]

Originally Posted by chilewillie

Thank you. I really appreciate your help. I am an expat living in Chile and am struggling to learn the language.

Neat. This off-topic, but we'd love to hear more about your experiences.