School Project Translation

[fish2345]

Hello. I am working on a creative writing project for class. The project requires some dialog in multiple languages, but I’m afraid my high school Spanish does not quite measure up to the challenge. I’m looking for some help translating the below phrases and ideas. I have included the context in case gender and plurality will affect the translation. Also, in case there are any dialect specifics, the speakers are of Cuban heritage.


“Calm down.” (spoken by a woman to a group of people)

“Who are you? What are you doing here?” (Spoken by a man to a group of people)

“Pleased to meet you.” (spoken by a woman to a man)

“Move!” (an order, issued by a woman to a group of people)

“Are you okay?” (asked by a woman to a small girl)

“Where is she?” (spoken by a man to a group)

“Don’t move.” (an order, issued by a woman to another woman)

“I am making tea (in order) to sleep.”

“Come here.” (spoken by a woman to her daughter)

Building inspector

“It worries me. How are you going to find a husband in Russia? Or Ukraine?” (asked by a woman to her daughter)

“It’s her life.”

“What are you doing here?” (spoken by a woman to her daughter)

“Listen to me.” (spoken by a woman to a man)

“Are you crazy? Can you not hear yourself?” (spoken by a woman to a man)

“I swear if you ever touch me like that again…” (spoken by a woman to a man)

“What good is being innocent if you are dead?” (asked by a woman to her father)

“You don’t understand.” (spoken by a father to his daughter)

“I understand just fine. You are stubborn, or crazy.” (spoken by a woman to her father)

“Are you ready?” (spoken by a daughter to her father)


Also, a couple of other items:

I’m looking of a for any common phrases to express surprise, frustration, dismay –essentially equivalents of the English sentiment “Oh my God.” However, I need phrases that do not use the word “God.” (Our teacher is rather religious and frowns on such idioms) Cuban specific expressions would be ideal. (I head the word “Alabao” in a movie, and it seems to fit, but I’m hesitant to use it without being sure it is accurate. I also once heard the word “Salvanos.”)

In spoken Spanish, is it acceptable to drop pronouns such as “Yo” and “Tu?” For instance, instead of saying “Yo representamos” is it normal to say simply “Representamos?”

Do law enforcement officials really say “Alto! Manos arriba!” or is this a Hollywood fabrication? If not, what would be a replacement phrase?

What are common terms of endearment that parents use for their daughters? Things such as pequeña, hija, niñita, etc… (again, Cuban specific terms would be ideal)

I’m looking for a term that means “enough already.” Would “Ya basta” work, or is there something better?

What are some common Spanish insults? Nothing vulgar, as my teacher will see them. Looking for PG-rated insults that friends might trade casually. (especially any specific to Cuba)

Thank you ahead of time for any help,

[wrholt]

This site focuses on language learning, not on providing translation services. In general, if you are learning Spanish, we prefer that you show us your attempts at translations and then we can offer feedback so that you can try to improve them.

However, if this assignment is NOT for a class in which you are learning Spanish, some folks here may be willing to help you more directly, especially if you are not currently learning Spanish in a different class.

For the moment I'm not going to suggest translations (I don't have enough time right now), but I can offer some insight into a couple of your other questions. Though as I'm not a native speaker, much less Cuban...

Originally Posted by fish2345

...
Also, a couple of other items:

...

In spoken Spanish, is it acceptable to drop pronouns such as “Yo” and “Tu?” For instance, instead of saying “Yo representamos” is it normal to say simply “Representamos?”

First, "yo" = I, "representamos" = "we represent": you want to say either "(yo) represento" or "(nosotros) representamos".

And yes, in general if the subject is obvious from context or from the verb's form, it is normal and customary to drop the subject pronoun. In such a context, using the pronoun indicates emphasis or contrast, and repeating pronouns unnecessarily sounds odd or strident.

Originally Posted by fish2345

...

I’m looking for a term that means “enough already.” Would “Ya basta” work, or is there something better?

Both "ya basta" and "basta ya" work.