aguja

English translation: points

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:aguja
English translation:points
Entered by: NKW (X)

15:03 Apr 2, 2009
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Tech/Engineering - Transport / Transportation / Shipping / trams
Spanish term or phrase: aguja
Un indicador de posición de aguja permitirá indicar al conductor la posición controlada de la aguja que va a franquear (vía directa o desviada) así como la posición no controlada que prohíba todo paso sobre la aguja.

In the above (relating to trams) what is the right translation of aguja?
Clifford Marcus
Local time: 13:33
points
Explanation:
Or, as American people say "switch". The device that moves a rail vehicle from one track to another. The device in question here tells the driver in which direction the points are set. On a railway, this would be displayed by means of a specific signal.

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Note added at 1 hr (2009-04-02 17:02:33 GMT)
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Just to clarify the use of the plural when referring to 'points', the Lexique général des termes ferroviaires confirms that this is the correct translation for 'aiguille'. The term 'aguja' refers to the switchblade itself (moveable part of the points mechanism) but this term is not usually used to refer to points when discussing their lie.

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Note added at 8 hrs (2009-04-02 23:57:30 GMT)
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To take up Neilmac's reply to polyglot, the query appears to relate to the term 'aguja', not to the 'indicador de posición'. The 'aguja' is part of the trackwork, not of the signalling system. The 'indicador de posición' shows the position/lie of the points BEFORE the tram negotiates them, not whilst it is passing over them, and is there solely to confirm to the tram-driver that the points are lying correctly for the route along which the tram is to run.
Selected response from:

NKW (X)
Grading comment
many thanks
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +2needle
neilmac
4 +1points
NKW (X)


  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
needle


Explanation:
On a meter or dial

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Note added at 5 mins (2009-04-02 15:08:34 GMT)
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ING MECÁ needle, pointer, tongue
LAB needle, indicadora de un instrumento hand
TEXTIL needle


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Note added at 7 mins (2009-04-02 15:10:57 GMT)
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If this refers to a device that the train goes over, it may be:
aguja de cambio: point switch

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Note added at 2 hrs (2009-04-02 17:14:34 GMT)
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Fot polyglot45's benefit: The text appears ro refer to needle of ¡n a dial, indicating the position of the point (switch). When the tram goes over the point (or switch), the needle on the dial will indicate this...

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Note added at 2 hrs (2009-04-02 17:17:14 GMT)
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aguja f -> CONST, FERRO points (BrE), set of points (BrE), switch (AmE)


neilmac
Spain
Local time: 14:33
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 187

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Melissa Mann
20 mins
  -> Thanks MM :-)

agree  G3RMAN D3LAR05A: yep..
21 mins
  -> Cheers Mr G :-)

neutral  polyglot45: which particular part are you all agreeing with?// sorry but while "point" is OK, "needle" is not and that was my question - thanks for the dripping sarcasm which is totally out of place
29 mins
  -> You're welcome. I'll leave it to the moderators to judge what is "totally out of place".

neutral  NKW (X): It is extremely difficult to see how this could refer to a 'needle' as the text refers to 'paso sobre la aguja' (negotation of the points)
41 mins
  -> It's most likely a point (switch), my second suggestion. See my explanation above.
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24 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
points


Explanation:
Or, as American people say "switch". The device that moves a rail vehicle from one track to another. The device in question here tells the driver in which direction the points are set. On a railway, this would be displayed by means of a specific signal.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2009-04-02 17:02:33 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Just to clarify the use of the plural when referring to 'points', the Lexique général des termes ferroviaires confirms that this is the correct translation for 'aiguille'. The term 'aguja' refers to the switchblade itself (moveable part of the points mechanism) but this term is not usually used to refer to points when discussing their lie.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 hrs (2009-04-02 23:57:30 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

To take up Neilmac's reply to polyglot, the query appears to relate to the term 'aguja', not to the 'indicador de posición'. The 'aguja' is part of the trackwork, not of the signalling system. The 'indicador de posición' shows the position/lie of the points BEFORE the tram negotiates them, not whilst it is passing over them, and is there solely to confirm to the tram-driver that the points are lying correctly for the route along which the tram is to run.

NKW (X)
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 20
Grading comment
many thanks

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  polyglot45: except that it should be singular here// not exactly because it is the point of the switch tongue (points is a collective noun)// your example is correct but it is not what I was trying to say in the small space at my disposal
10 mins
  -> A signalman would never tell a driver that 'the point is set for such and such a running line'. Neither is the text referring to the mechanical layout of the points, but to the route for which they are set.
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