Patricia Rosas (asker) Jul 22, 2008:

Apparently, the text has gone back to the author for revisions, and I've been encouraged to "raise objections" where I see fit, so I'm going to add a query about this and perhaps it can be toned down a bit. Thank you, all, for the help!

Silvia Brandon-Pérez Jul 22, 2008:

Patricia, I like your 'took up residence' best...

psicutrinius Jul 22, 2008:

And, Patricia, I am afraid that the author was dead serious here, both at the matter and at showing off how well could he or she get away from plain language. I do not think that he or she even noticed that there could be a witty joke here, as you did.

psicutrinius Jul 22, 2008:

"tomar carta de naturaleza" is a bit of a "forced" wording, but is used in Spanish: See for instance the last paragraph at http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorguera, but there is an evident difference between "naturaleza" and "naturalización".

psicutrinius Jul 22, 2008:

"tomó carta de naturalización" ya lo he comentado. Pero dice "en el comercio" y habla del "papel de Castilla". Deduzco que las primeras importaciones tuvieron éxito y el "papel de Castilla" se consolidó como importación habitual.

Patricia Rosas (asker) Jul 22, 2008:

Gracias, Beatriz. Es papel usado por los indígenas para desarollar códices.

beatriz707 (X) Jul 22, 2008:

Dice 'antes usaron'... para qués e usaba? hay mas contexto? Me gusta lo que dijo Daniel pero quisiera asegurarme que no utilizaban todo eso como forma de pago o trueque.

Patricia Rosas (asker) Jul 22, 2008:

That's what I was guessing, but I needed a native speaker to confirm it. So, thank you. In other words, it's jokingly saying that the imported paper "took up residence" in the trade of New Spain?

psicutrinius Jul 22, 2008:

In plain Spanish, I would say here (for instance) "que pronto se convirtió en [se hizo] habitual en el comercio..."