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Un amor de narices

I am doing some translating of Fray Luis de León, a 16th Spanish theologian, who often paraphrased the Bible. However, his versions are often very unique sounding in that they try to render Semitic expressions into Spanish. Previous translations had not captured this aspect which also sounds very weird in the original Spanish.

For example:

«Yo soy amoroso entrañablemente, compasivo, ancho de narices, sufrido y de mucha espera, grande en perdón, fiel y leal en la palabra, que extiendo mis bienes por mil generaciones de hombres.»


Here is my translation:

“I am endearingly loving, compassionate, wide-nosed (i.e. slow to anger), longsuffering and waiting, great in forgiveness, faithful and loyal in words. For I extend My goods for a thousand generations of men” (Ex. 34:6-7).

Compare this with the NAB, RSV, and King James:

NAB
6
Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out, "The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity,
7
continuing his kindness for a thousand generations


RSV

[6] The LORD passed before him, and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,
[7] keeping steadfast love for thousands

King James
[6] And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
[7] Keeping mercy for thousands


However, we can then make the following Spanish joke:


O sea que Dios nos tiene un amor de narices. Ya caigo.

Advice for a Graduate School Potluck from Manolo

Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post.

Dear Manolo,

I’m going to a graduate school holiday potluck with my boyfriend. I have never been to the school and I am not sure what to wear. My style is pretty conservative. What do you recommend?

Sandra


Manolo says, Ayyy! Merry Nonspecific Period of Non-Oppressive Festivities to all!

Let the Tofurkey and Macrobiotic, Bargain-Priced Sprouts flow like organic wine!

And now, let the Manolo stipulate that if the phrase “graduate school potluck” does not strike dread into your heart, you are not the feeling person. The very words alone conjure up the sort of lugubrious hilarity and culinary achievement one associates with Moldovan politburo lunches, sans the lubricating effects of vodka.

It is the little known fact that graduate students are among the most miserable peoples in the world.

Yes, the first year begins in high spirits, but then gradually, inch by inch, the lonely misanthropic gloom settles in, brought on by the low pay, the low status, the low self-esteem, and above all the low muffled beating of the unfinished dissertation, which, like the tell-tale heart, lies insistently beneath the floorboards of the mind.

Of the course, no reason you, the non-grad student, should not be cheery. Here is the Laugh from Franco Sarto, the perfectly partylicious affordable black ankle bootie.

(http://shoeblogs.com/2008/12/05/manolo-the-columnist-153/)

Desde las alforjas- from the saddlebags

Well I just got back from Thanksgiving with the 'rents and went through some of my books that I left there. Of which I brought seven or so choice ones home:


Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz

Poesía lírica

Sor Juana is the most important poetess of the Baroque era. Meaning, she is not included in anthologies as a gesture of pity but really measures up to everyone else.
Her long poem Primero Sueño details the journey of the human intellect in its quest to comprehend the universe. Very impressive stuff.


Garcilaso de la Vega

Poesía castellana completa


I had been looking for this volume and thought I lost it. Garcilaso was one of the innovators of Spanish poetry in the XVI who was able to adapt the language to Italian poetic meter with a balance and harmony of style unequaled by anyone.


Diccionario de escritores latinoamericanos (siglo XVI a siglo XX)

This is volume containing the biographies of the most important Latinamerican writers from the 16th to 20th centuries. Very cool.


The Essential Plotinus

Selection from Plotinus' works.


Giovanni Verga

I Malavoglia

A novel from the 1880's which popularized Il Verismo- as the incarnation of the Realist movement in Italy was called. It features down to earth proverbial dialogue and language, charting the fortunes of one family and their eventual decline.


Juan Ramón Jiménez

Platero y yo

A children's book about a village idiot and his donkey written in poetic prose.


Embajada a Tamorlán

A record of a Castilian expedition into Asia during the early 1400's. Features descriptions of Greece, and Constantinople right before it was captured by the Turks.
It was a diplomatic mission in response to a letter sent by the Mongol monarch Tamburlaine to King Enrique of Castile.

Ronald Knox

Captive Flames

A selection of addresses given over the years on various Saints.


Jonathan Swift

Gulliver's Travels

I had to read this book in high school and really enjoyed the last book. But I have always wanted to read it again given my better knowledge of European Baroque culture.
Also my interest in satire is a plus. Along with the whole "damn human race" he nails the Whigs pretty good in this one.
Actually, it confirms what I have been forming in my mind for a while, that through out history Satire been cultivated by and large by Conservative elements in society. This goes contrary to the trend that the Counterculture ushered in during the late 60's but I think it holds true in the long and the thick of it from the Romans, who started the genre, up till now. More on this later.