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Glossary entry

Spanish term or phrase:

son muy de ellos nada más

English translation:

quite simply, they like doing their own thing (+ more below)

Added to glossary by Carol Gullidge
Jan 7, 2008 15:49
16 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Spanish term

son muy de ellos nada más

Spanish to English Art/Literary Poetry & Literature
This is another snippet in Spanish from the Cuban-American interviewee.

SPANISH: It was the first time they did a non-Mexican play, because ellos son muy de ellos nada más.

TRANSLATION: (because they [Mexicans] are are for them and no one else).

I changed that to "they are all wrapped up in themselves" but now I'm thinking it might just mean, "they keep to themselves".

Again, I'd be interested in hearing your opinions...
Proposed translations (English)
4 +1 it's just that they stick to what they know/like (+ more below)
5 +3 they’re usually focused on their own /centered on their own people
5 +3 they're very self absorbed
5 +2 ...they're pretty wrapped up in themselves, that's all.
4 +1 they are simply self-consumed; they are wrapped out in themselves
4 +1 because that's just the way they are
4 +1 ..because they are all about themselves and no one else
4 they are mainly interested in their own affairs/country/culture, and not much else
4 they are very self-centered
3 +1 they're just like that, that's all
4 are chauvinistic, that's all there is to it
4 they are egotistic and nothing else matters
3 +1 they're just concerned with their own things
3 they only go for their own..., and nothing more
3 they are very inward looking
2 this is something that they had wanted to keep to themselves/just between them
Change log

Jan 26, 2008 23:35: Carol Gullidge Created KOG entry

Discussion

Patricia Rosas (asker) Jan 7, 2008:
That is the entire phrase. I explained in the previous question I posted that the Cuban-American interviewee switches continuously between English and Spanish.
Juan Jacob Jan 7, 2008:
Hola, Patricia... me perdí... ¿puedes poner la frase entera en español?
Noni Gilbert Riley Jan 7, 2008:
I wonder if this is the same as "muy suyos" = "especiales". No son muy flexibles, no quieren hacer el esfuerzo de conformar con los demás. No sería un comentario muy halagüeño. De momento comentarios esp=esp nada más.

Proposed translations

+1
7 hrs
Selected

it's just that they stick to what they know/like (+ more below)

or: ... they stick to what they're used to

quite simply, they like doing their own thing

....they're not very adventurous

-----

None of these is a totally literal translation, but I'm aiming for casual and idiomatic, to fit the ST. The last one is possibly too negative, although I think all the implied meaning is in there, and the negative aspect might not matter.

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Note added at 1 day22 hrs (2008-01-09 14:43:14 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

you're welcome!

PS no further news on HSM... not a dicky bird
Peer comment(s):
agree Deborah Workman : I agree, it's not negative. Yes, they just tend to stick to what's customary for them and what they know.
5 hrs
thanks, Deborah :-)
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Wow! So many good answers!! I liked most of them, but I think that Carol's choice of "they like doing their own thing" really fits the context! Thanks!!"
+1
3 mins

they are simply self-consumed; they are wrapped out in themselves

I like your second choice also.

I used "simply" to convey the idea of "nada más"

Mike :)
Peer comment(s):
agree franglish : wrapped UP in themselves
2 hrs
Thank you, franglish - of course, wrapped UP in themselves - I must have been OUT to lunch when I wrote that - Mike :)
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3 mins

this is something that they had wanted to keep to themselves/just between them

just an idea
Something went wrong...
11 mins

they are mainly interested in their own affairs/country/culture, and not much else

This is how I understand it, and more or less how I would translate it.
Something went wrong...
17 mins

they are very self-centered

as short alternative
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21 mins

they only go for their own..., and nothing more

It is just an idea

GreetingZ

Only this, and nothing more.' Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December, And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor. ...
www.heise.de/ix/raven/Literature/Lore/TheRaven.html - 11k -
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+1
26 mins

they're just like that, that's all

...to add to your collection :)

looked up similar phrases in Harraps Dictionary i.e

eso es muy de ella - that's just like her
eso es muy de los americanos – that's typically American

so, maybe it's along these lines, just a guess.
Peer comment(s):
agree Deborah Workman : Yes, they just tend to stick to what's customary for them and what they know.
11 hrs
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+1
38 mins

because that's just the way they are

Just a variation on a theme :) Hope it helps...
Peer comment(s):
agree Deborah Workman : Yes, they just tend to stick to what's customary for them and what they know.
11 hrs
Something went wrong...
+3
1 hr

they’re usually focused on their own /centered on their own people

Otras opciones.
Peer comment(s):
agree Cecilia Welsh : "...because they're usually focused on their own people."
47 mins
Gracias Lady!
agree Marian Martin (X) : Agree with focused.
5 hrs
Muchas Gracias!
agree Deborah Workman : Yes, they just tend to stick to what's customary for them and what they know.
10 hrs
Gracias Deborah!
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+1
1 hr

..because they are all about themselves and no one else

with them it's all about them and no one else
Peer comment(s):
agree Cecilia Welsh : Very nice!
49 mins
Thanks!
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1 hr

are chauvinistic, that's all there is to it

another one for the pot
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+2
2 hrs

...they're pretty wrapped up in themselves, that's all.

...son muy de ellos might also be insular or cliquish, but maybe those words don't fit with how the speaker uses English
Peer comment(s):
agree Erin DeBell : I like this one...it stays true to the simplistic vocab of the original
1 hr
agree Martin Harvey : Yes, this one keeps the same register I think....
1 day 4 hrs
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2 hrs

they are very inward looking

another (!) option!
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3 hrs

they are egotistic and nothing else matters

just another way of putting it
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+3
1 hr

they're very self absorbed

Another option.

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Note added at 4 hrs (2008-01-07 19:54:15 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Postscript re ormiston's suggestion to add "simply" -- Right! I correct myself -- not rather self absorbed, but SIMPLY SELF ABSORBED. I had left out "nada más" in my translation option. Thanks!
Peer comment(s):
agree Bubo Coroman (X) : yes, or I would say "very insular" (like an island)
14 mins
Gracias Deborah, y concuerdo con lo de "insular". :)
agree 1279 (X) : IMO, this option best captures the essence of the original.
50 mins
Thanks very much Clare!
agree ormiston : maybe plus the above suggestion of 'simply'
1 hr
Thank you, ormiston ;) Agree; could also be "_rather_ self absorbed."
Something went wrong...
+1
7 hrs

they're just concerned with their own things

Yet ANOTHER suggestion!

Suerte.
Peer comment(s):
agree Deborah Workman : Yes, they just tend to stick to what's customary for them and what they know.
4 hrs
Thanks, Deborah.
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