Aprendizaje de idiomas/Language learning – Alison Trujillo Translations

Children’s Books in Translation

It’s almost fall in the Northern Hemisphere! This means back-to-school time, and I’m seeing updates about new books in translation for kids. There are now an unprecedented number of children’s books in translation. When I taught Spanish in K-12 schools, I loved discovering new children’s books in translation. I taught Spanish in elementary schools forContinue reading “Children’s Books in Translation”

Interspecies Communication: Can We Talk to Whales?

Whether it’s the idea of contact with extraterrestrials, sign language with primates or practicing new tricks with the family dog, humans are fascinated by the idea of communicating with other species. For her recent New Yorker article “Talk to Me,” science writer and journalist Elizabeth Kolbert traveled to Dominica to report on CETI: The CetaceanContinue reading “Interspecies Communication: Can We Talk to Whales?”

Winter Words

Both Spanish and English have beautiful words to describe winter! These unique words go beyond some of the more commonly known terms to conjure up the feeling of the season. Spanish winter words: carámbano – icicle rompope – eggnog duende – elf, fairy, goblin copo de nieve – snowflake hoguera – bonfire granizo – hailContinue reading “Winter Words”

Talking New Mexico

My husband and I were fortunate to spend most of our summer in New Mexico this year. We stayed in Santa Fe, Taos and the Albuquerque area, where my husband’s family lives. We also drove far north, which we usually don’t have the time to do, visiting the picturesque mountain town of Chama and theContinue reading “Talking New Mexico”

Tocayo

Last year I wrote about one of my favorite Spanish words, estrenar. Another favorite is tocayo: Tocayo: Namesake I don’t feel that the English translation of this word really does justice to the Spanish meaning or sentiment. In Spanish-speaking countries, and especially in Mexico, tocayo is a heartfelt word to refer to someone who sharesContinue reading “Tocayo”

5 Spanish Sayings and Their English Equivalents

Great translation captures the true meaning of something in the target language while also keeping it accessible and relatable for the reader. This is especially true for Spanish sayings and their English equivalents! One of my most popular blog posts has been about Spanish dichos, or sayings. A translation colleague recently presented about proverbs fromContinue reading “5 Spanish Sayings and Their English Equivalents”