In the United States I can observe the majestic creature with intrigue and perhaps not only appreciate it for its wise beauty, but biological inquiry as well. The American symbol for wisdom and intuitive knowledge is simply not that in Mexico as I have come to know it. The common owl in America is completely different creature in Mexico. I have never been so perplexed about my feelings toward a harmless and probably ordinary animal: the owl. We make these association not only with words, but objects, religion, songs and other crucial parts of our culture that define who we are as individuals.
It is not some snide comment it is simply meaningless. “Todo eso y una bolsa de papas” is simply gibberish in Spanish and does not have the same effect as “All that and a bag of chips”. In spanish I can mock somebody’s stuck-up qualities by calling them “fresa” but it simply would not make sense to call them “strawberry” and expect the same reaction as the word “preppy” might produce. I was always curious about the power of connotations and how they relate between two different languages.
SInce I first acquired a well-developed understanding of the english language I have been fascinated with translation: having the power to introduce somebody to a new language, a new understanding of the spoken word. It’s funny how the definition of something can change so drastically not based solely on language but cultural beliefs.