This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. Spanish to English
  3. Art, Arts & Crafts, Painting

acecho "miope"

English translation: "near-sighted" observation

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:acecho "miope"
English translation:"near-sighted" observation
Entered by: Catherine Bolton

15:09 Jul 31, 2008
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Art, Arts & Crafts, Painting
Spanish term or phrase: acecho "miope"
Hello everyone,
To give you some background, I work in Italian>English and was asked to translate an essay that, in turn, had been translated from Spanish. My Spanish is pretty rusty but passable in a pinch, so I asked for the original files just in case something was unclear.
There was a bit that didn't look quite right to me, as the Italian translator used a term akin to "limited nature" or "narrowness", setting it in quotation marks.
I checked the original and the term used was "acheco 'miope'".
The artists were asked to create paintings that are just 10 x 12 cm, so I think the author is emphasizing the fact people must view the paintings from a very short distance.
Can someone confirm my hunch that "limit nature" or "narrowness" doesn't quite capture the original concept? Or confirm, inversely, that "narrowness" does work?
I apologize for the lengthy posting, but felt it was essential to explain.
MTIA,
Catherine

Here's a long passage to provide context.

Someter sus fantasías a telas encajadas en bastidores de 10 por 12 centímetros. La mayoría se atuvo a la rigidez del formato, y los menos se desbordaron de la tela hacia los marcos y más allá ....
Pero además el mínimo formato -lo he visto así en los lugares públicos donde cuelgan- produce una sorprendente innovación en la atención de la mirada. *** El acecho “miope” *** de la tela posee una convocatoria participativa de la que carece el cuadro normal. No permite el divagar de paso, reclama la atención de los espectadores con la autoridad de un duende.
Catherine Bolton
Local time: 15:42
"...(the) myopic stalking (of the canvass)..."
Explanation:
See similar links:

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 hrs (2008-08-01 00:16:47 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

And all the while the canvas remains, very specifically, a flat surface — an
artist's mirror ... A purposive myopia as the vehicle for multivalent layers of ...
www.sensesofcinema.com/contents/00/5/four.html

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 hrs (2008-08-01 00:31:12 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

The most impressive images were shot at Groenveld Castle in Baarn: Appel stalking
his canvas and literally slapping paint onto it: ''I paint like a ...
www.geheugenvannederland.nl/?/en/items/FILM01:32 - 48k - Páginas

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 hrs (2008-08-01 00:39:35 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Feb 9, 2006 ... fractal patterns, both in the fluidity of the paint and in the way Pollock
applied it as he stalked around a canvas on the ground. ...
www.nytimes.com/2006/02/09/arts/design/09poll.html

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 hrs (2008-08-01 00:47:02 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

As I comprehend the text, the miniscule size of the paintings forces the viewer to approach(Stalk) and get a "near-sighted"(myopic) perspective
of the canvas. :)
Selected response from:

eski
Mexico
Local time: 07:42
Grading comment
Thanks so much to everyone for confirming my hunch. Too bad I can't give points to everyone!
I decided to go with "near-sighted", as I like the play on words there. "Myopic" can also mean narrow-minded: interesting, the term chosen by the Italian translator - "limitatezza" - also means narrow-minded, and that's not quite what the author seems to have had in mind.
I combined it with a very tame "observation" in this case.
Thanks again!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +1"myopic" approach /spying / watching
marideoba
4"...(the) myopic stalking (of the canvass)..."
eski
3the way the canvas forces us to peer at it
Rachel Fell
1compact stalking/stalking compactness of the canvas
andres-larsen


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 1/5Answerer confidence 1/5
compact stalking/stalking compactness of the canvas


Explanation:
Encasing one's fantasies in 10 to 12 centimeter frames with most rigidly keeping to their format, and some surpassing their frames, going beyond ....
But besides the reduced format -as I have seen in public areas where they are displayed- they produce a surprising innovation in attracting the attention of the viewers. *** The compact stalking/stalking compactness” *** of the canvas forces an involved viewing which is lacking in normal paintings. It does not allow the nonchalant passing-by, riveting the attention of the spectators with the authority of a dwarf.


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2008-07-31 16:37:54 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

avoid translating this literally, try to stick to the sense of the term you are translating within its context

andres-larsen
Venezuela
Local time: 09:42
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: Hi Andres, So do you agree that "narrowness" isn't quite right?

Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
"myopic" approach /spying / watching


Explanation:
I rather keep myopic, adjectivally the same as in Spanish "miope", because it gives us a better description of the effect the little paintings provoke on viewers.

marideoba
Local time: 08:42
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 3

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Virginia Dominguez: I really think this is the best answer
4 hrs
  -> !Oh, gracias Virginia!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

9 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
"...(the) myopic stalking (of the canvass)..."


Language variant: "...the myopic stalking of the canvass..."

Explanation:
See similar links:

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 hrs (2008-08-01 00:16:47 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

And all the while the canvas remains, very specifically, a flat surface — an
artist's mirror ... A purposive myopia as the vehicle for multivalent layers of ...
www.sensesofcinema.com/contents/00/5/four.html

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 hrs (2008-08-01 00:31:12 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

The most impressive images were shot at Groenveld Castle in Baarn: Appel stalking
his canvas and literally slapping paint onto it: ''I paint like a ...
www.geheugenvannederland.nl/?/en/items/FILM01:32 - 48k - Páginas

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 hrs (2008-08-01 00:39:35 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Feb 9, 2006 ... fractal patterns, both in the fluidity of the paint and in the way Pollock
applied it as he stalked around a canvas on the ground. ...
www.nytimes.com/2006/02/09/arts/design/09poll.html

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 hrs (2008-08-01 00:47:02 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

As I comprehend the text, the miniscule size of the paintings forces the viewer to approach(Stalk) and get a "near-sighted"(myopic) perspective
of the canvas. :)

eski
Mexico
Local time: 07:42
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 134
Grading comment
Thanks so much to everyone for confirming my hunch. Too bad I can't give points to everyone!
I decided to go with "near-sighted", as I like the play on words there. "Myopic" can also mean narrow-minded: interesting, the term chosen by the Italian translator - "limitatezza" - also means narrow-minded, and that's not quite what the author seems to have had in mind.
I combined it with a very tame "observation" in this case.
Thanks again!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
the way the canvas forces us to peer at it


Explanation:
that's how I read it...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day54 mins (2008-08-01 16:04:36 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

I did mean it as an explanation rather than a translation! ;-)

Rachel Fell
United Kingdom
Local time: 14:42
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 18
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search