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. Slang

"sombra negra"

English translation: sombra negra

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:"sombra negra"
English translation:sombra negra
Entered by: Jaimie Boyd

10:36 Mar 23, 2008
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Slang
Spanish term or phrase: "sombra negra"
Another extract from the document about drugs:

"Los informantes de El Salvador y Honduras enfocan la problemática de una forma más general, haciendo referencia a la cada vez más frecuente aparición de los procesos de "limpieza social". Para ellos, la falta de control de la delincuencia y concretamente del fenómeno marero, ha generado acciones desordenadas al margen de la ley, aplicando un "derecho penal subterráneo", tal como lo denominan algunos funcionarios de la Fiscalía General de El Salvador. La limpieza se adjudica o hace nacer la "sombra negra", actividad que estaría más ubicada en los niveles medios o bajos de la policía."
Paul Stevens
Local time: 16:34
sombra negra
Explanation:
I would leave this term in Spanish and use a footnote to define the term. While I think that 'vigilante groups' is a good approximation, it would probably be useful for your readers to get a bit of insight into the social implications of the role of revenge and the thirst for power that play in the creation of these groups of mercenaries. I have heard la sombra negra associated with both death squads and a neighborhood watch... so its a pretty tough one to put into English.
Selected response from:

Jaimie Boyd
Canada
Local time: 08:34
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +1"black shadow" vigilante groups
Edward Tully
3sombra negra
Jaimie Boyd


  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
"black shadow" vigilante groups


Explanation:
Sombra Negra - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia- [ Traduzca esta página ]The Sombra Negra (Spanish for "Black Shadow") are vigilante groups comprised mostly of police and military personnel who target criminals and gang members ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sombra_Negra - 17k - En caché - Páginas similares


Edward Tully
Local time: 17:34
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 55

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  De Novi: I found the same things! = )
4 hrs
  -> thank you Zanne! ;-)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

23 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
sombra negra


Explanation:
I would leave this term in Spanish and use a footnote to define the term. While I think that 'vigilante groups' is a good approximation, it would probably be useful for your readers to get a bit of insight into the social implications of the role of revenge and the thirst for power that play in the creation of these groups of mercenaries. I have heard la sombra negra associated with both death squads and a neighborhood watch... so its a pretty tough one to put into English.

Jaimie Boyd
Canada
Local time: 08:34
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 7
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