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que tuvieron a Nicaragua como su finca familiar

English translation: family fiefdom

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:finca familiar
English translation:family fiefdom
Entered by: Marie Winnick

21:19 Jun 11, 2012
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Journalism / history, politics
Spanish term or phrase: que tuvieron a Nicaragua como su finca familiar
Hello, everyone. Since I am brand-new to this forum, I will introduce myself first. My name is Marie Winnick, and I am a recently-certified translator. I am near the final phase of launching my freelance business, and am very happy to be here.

Currently, I am translating Adolfo Calero's obituary for my internship, and was wondering how other Spanish-to-English translators would write this phrase in English. The entire sentence is as such:

Calero (Managua, 1931) fue un opositor al régimen de los Somoza, que tuvieron a Nicaragua como su finca familiar durante 47 años, gobernando con mano dura hasta el triunfo de la revolución sandinista en julio de 1979.

It is from the Spanish newspaper El País. http://internacional.elpais.com/internacional/2012/06/03/act...


So far, I have written, "Born in Managua in 1931, Calero was an opponent of the Somoza regime. Originally growers, the Somozas turned most of Nicaragua into their family farm, ruling for 47 years with an iron fist until the victory of the Sandinista revolution in July of 1979."

Since this is for watchingamerica.com, I prefer to "foreignize" any translation that I do for them, as I believe Americans looking to read foreign news would generally appreciate. However, I think that is impossible in this case, and I can't see how an accurate translation could be done without some expansion.

I would love to hear different opinions and point of view. Thanks in advance!
Marie Winnick
United States
Local time: 11:43
who treated Nicaragua as their own family fiefdom
Explanation:
"Family fiefdom" is a common expression in this sort of context. I wondered if it might be too British, but I'm finding plenty of hits on US sites. For example:

"Palin seems to have regarded Alaska as her own personal family fiefdom, as I suppose she would regard the entire United States were she to become vice-president or, God help us, president."
http://www.mceades.com/index.blog?start=1225118655

"When you run a multinational like News Corp as a family fiefdom, expect to run into trouble"
http://www.chicagochronicle.com/index.php?sid/47138870/scat/...

There are many possible variants: "ran Nicaragua as...", "regarded Nicaragua as...", "turned Nicaragua into...". Whichever sounds best to you.

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Note added at 1 day9 hrs (2012-06-13 06:24:12 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Hi Marie
Let me say what I should have said before: welcome to the forum, and please stay with us. I wish you every possible success with your new freelance business.
Selected response from:

Charles Davis
Spain
Local time: 18:43
Grading comment
You guys are awesome!! I want to thank each one of you very much. Especially Charles.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +5who treated Nicaragua as their own family fiefdom
Charles Davis
5Who held Nicaragua as if it was a family plantation/estate
Michael de los Reyes
3who treated Nicaragua as their personal property
Wendy Streitparth


  

Answers


5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Who held Nicaragua as if it was a family plantation/estate


Explanation:
Just another suggestion in addition to the above. While fiefdom is definitely foreignized, it may also be too obscure of a reference if your audience is unfamiloar with the European and/or Japanese "Middle Ages". Plantation/estate are also foreignized, closer to the Latin root of the source word, yet accessible enough (most Americans are familiar with antebellum plantations, not to mention the fitting allusion in this case), to warrant the usage of these terms.

Best,

Michael de los Reyes
United States
Local time: 09:43
Does not meet criteria
Native speaker of: English
Notes to answerer
Asker: Michael, thank you! Though I did go with Charles's answer, I was rather close to picking yours, for the reasons you mentioned. Cheers!

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12 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
who treated Nicaragua as their personal property


Explanation:
Bit late in the day, but another option.

Wendy Streitparth
Germany
Local time: 18:43
Does not meet criteria
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4
Notes to answerer
Asker: Wendy, thank you so much! I don't believe it's ever too late.:)

Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
who treated Nicaragua as their own family fiefdom


Explanation:
"Family fiefdom" is a common expression in this sort of context. I wondered if it might be too British, but I'm finding plenty of hits on US sites. For example:

"Palin seems to have regarded Alaska as her own personal family fiefdom, as I suppose she would regard the entire United States were she to become vice-president or, God help us, president."
http://www.mceades.com/index.blog?start=1225118655

"When you run a multinational like News Corp as a family fiefdom, expect to run into trouble"
http://www.chicagochronicle.com/index.php?sid/47138870/scat/...

There are many possible variants: "ran Nicaragua as...", "regarded Nicaragua as...", "turned Nicaragua into...". Whichever sounds best to you.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day9 hrs (2012-06-13 06:24:12 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Hi Marie
Let me say what I should have said before: welcome to the forum, and please stay with us. I wish you every possible success with your new freelance business.

Charles Davis
Spain
Local time: 18:43
Meets criteria
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 116
Grading comment
You guys are awesome!! I want to thank each one of you very much. Especially Charles.
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks again, Charles. I'm registering at the Secretary of State within the next week!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  patinba
7 mins
  -> Thanks, Pat :)
agree  Christine Walsh
3 hrs
  -> Thanks, Christine :)
agree  Henry Hinds: Right, "fiefdom" is the word.
4 hrs
  -> Many thanks for your confirmation, Henry!
agree  Evans (X): Yes, the best word here.
10 hrs
  -> Thanks very much, Gilla
agree  Domingo Trassens: I like your suggestion. Domingo
11 hrs
  -> Thank you, Domingo!
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