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Glossary entry

Spanish term or phrase:

cercano

English translation:

of the people

Added to glossary by Justin Peterson
Mar 8, 2013 10:09
11 yrs ago
26 viewers *
Spanish term

cercano

Spanish to English Other Social Science, Sociology, Ethics, etc. General
This is more out of curiosity and an obsession with this term than a vital need to translate it. There are about a dozen common translations out there, but I find none of them convincing. Could this be a term with no good translation in English? (These things fascinate me. Deformación profesional). I am referring to the use of the term not in the geographical sense (un bar cercano) or in the sense of cordiality (un trato cercano), but in this sense: "El general teatral fue definida por su estilo popular, irreverente, humorístico y CERCANO." I can´t think come up with any word that makes me say "That´s it!" (Familiar (Spanglish), democratic, folksy, popular.....) My eternal gratitude and admiration for anyone who can nail this.
Proposed translations (English)
3 of the people
2 +5 accessible
4 +1 unpretentious
3 +1 intimate
3 +1 Approachable
3 people-friendly
References
People-friendly

Discussion

Muriel Vasconcellos Mar 9, 2013:
@Justin I think your own 'relatable' is best in this context. It characterizes a style, more than the other options.
lorenab23 Mar 8, 2013:
@ Justin Any time I have seen cercano used this way I have thought of "relatable", granted I have never needed to use it in a translation.
Justin Peterson (asker) Mar 8, 2013:
Kimrey/Simon/ Accessible OK, I can see that, but I would much prefer "accessible" in that sense. OMG. I have translated some academic articles after which I have said. "I have no idea what this author wants to say." After 20 pages of grammatically correct and, theoretically, comprehensible text. :/ There's a reason "academic" has two meanings: a) related to academia b) irrelevant, theoretical, abstract.
Kimrey Batts Mar 8, 2013:
Not sure about genres of theatre, per say, but books for example can be "approachable" in a way similar to the use of "accessible" currently under discussion. Good luck finding the solution to this. :)
Simon Bruni Mar 8, 2013:
Inaccessible modern art articles Too right. They have a habit of using language that is devoid of any tangible semantic content, believing that this reflects some special depth of thought.
Walid Abdellaoui (X) Mar 8, 2013:
Accessible I see, thanks for the explanation. I still found examples such as :

This play is accessible and stands on its own as an original work.

The play is accessible, linear and has a clear narrative.

...developing new musicals, training young and emerging artists, and ensuring that the theater is accessible to all.

etc...

But do let us know if you put your finger on the perfect term :)
Justin Peterson (asker) Mar 8, 2013:
Accessible In this sense "accessible" in English is the opposite of "highly academic", "opaque," "scholarly," "learned", etc. That is, so specialized that an expert cannot follow it. Think of a scholarly article on Modern Art. Ugh. Not accessible.
Walid Abdellaoui (X) Mar 8, 2013:
Accessible Not in a physcal way of course...
Walid Abdellaoui (X) Mar 8, 2013:
Accessible Then the word might have a slightly different meaning in French :) I meant accessible as in reachable, easy to access so to say.
Justin Peterson (asker) Mar 8, 2013:
Approachable Thanks, really, but no way. People are approachable. Genres of theater are not.
Justin Peterson (asker) Mar 8, 2013:
Of the people Simon: I like it. I think it might be the best solution. In fact, I like it too as a translation for the always tricky "popular" (not in the sense of "de moda")... "of the people" communicates that idea of pop culture, from the humble classes, non-elitist...
Justin Peterson (asker) Mar 8, 2013:
Intimate Thanks Edward, but I don't like it. I think the connotation of "intimate" is just too sexual. I've never liked it, even when talking about an "intimate style of theater" or an "intimate concert" ... though I confess I've used it for lack of alternatives. :/
Justin Peterson (asker) Mar 8, 2013:
"Genero teatral" Simon: sorry, typing too fast there, that should be "género teatral"
Justin Peterson (asker) Mar 8, 2013:
People-friendly Not bad. That's the idea... but it doesn´t have much of a ring to it, does it? Perhaps just because its use is not widespread enough.
Simon Bruni Mar 8, 2013:
Yes I have tussled with this term on a few occasions. It should be "definido" should it not? And incidentally what is the 'general teatral'?
Justin Peterson (asker) Mar 8, 2013:
Accessible You're on the right track, but I think "accessible" refers more to something that is popular or can be understood by the masses, as it is not elite or arcane ... but the idea here is more about the style being enjoyed. I know I am splitting hairs...
Lisa McCarthy Mar 8, 2013:
Hi Justin What about 'people-friendly style'?

FOR QUEEN AND COUNTRY: Prince Harry's **people-friendly style**
www.lightdragoons.co.uk/.../for-queen-and-country-prince-ha...
Mar 7, 2012 – BLAZE OF GLORY: Prince Harry, in Jamaican colours, 'races' Usain Bolt. We didn't know what to expect. But, for me, I personally felt that Prince ...

Proposed translations

22 mins
Selected

of the people

irreverent, humorous and of the people.

or

irreverent, humorous, theatre of the people.
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "I think this is closest, though this is obviously subjective."
+5
10 mins

accessible

Hi,

I see your point. Neither Spanish nor English is my mother tongue, but I might have used "accessible" in French. Does it work in English?

Peer comment(s):
agree Charles Davis : I think it does
19 mins
Merci Charles !
agree Daltry Gárate
4 hrs
Merci :)
agree philgoddard : There are several ways you could translate it, but you were first.
6 hrs
Thanks!
agree James A. Walsh
9 hrs
Merci
agree Yvonne Gallagher : with Phil.
9 hrs
Merci
Something went wrong...
+1
12 mins

intimate

One option that could work...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 17 mins (2013-03-08 10:26:44 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

or "welcoming" perhaps?
Peer comment(s):
agree Richard Hill
3 hrs
thanks Rich! ;-)
Something went wrong...
17 mins

people-friendly

Change In Attitude Needed For People-friendly, Style .
news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1309&dat...id=I...
Change in attitude needed for people-friendly, style . THE decision by the Home Ministry to make itself people-friendly is laudable. Its success will depend on the ...

Bringing A More People-friendly Style Of Governing To Selangor .
news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1309&dat...id...sjid...
Bringing a more people-friendly style of governing to Selangor . IT is the norm that whenever a new boss takes over, new policies and styles will be introduced.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 18 minutos (2013-03-08 10:27:09 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Or what about "APPROACHABLE"?

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 19 minutos (2013-03-08 10:28:09 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

PEI Premier Pat Binns - Canada Online - About.com
canadaonline.about.com/od/premiers/p/patbinns.htm
A successful bean farmer, Pat Binns has a homespun, **approachable style**. ... The long-standing Progressive Conservative government of Pat Binns was ...
Something went wrong...
+1
25 mins

Approachable

Another option...
Peer comment(s):
agree Marcio Cambraia : approachable is the best option
3 days 1 hr
Thanks, Marcio
Something went wrong...
+1
33 mins

unpretentious

Through simple, unpretentious theater created through the voices and instruments of the performers ..."
http://www.goodtheater.com/shows.html
Peer comment(s):
agree Yvonne Gallagher : or... lacking any pretentions
2 hrs
Thank you, gallagy
Something went wrong...

Reference comments

16 mins
Reference:

People-friendly

Change In Attitude Needed For People-friendly, Style .
news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1309&dat...id=I...
Change in attitude needed for people-friendly, style . THE decision by the Home Ministry to make itself people-friendly is laudable. Its success will depend on the ...

Bringing A More ***People-friendly Style Of Governing** To Selangor .
news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1309&dat...id...sjid...
Bringing a more people-friendly style of governing to Selangor . IT is the norm that whenever a new boss takes over, new policies and styles will be introduced.
Something went wrong...
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