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Glossary entry

Spanish term or phrase:

Coyotero

English translation:

coyotes / human smugglers

Added to glossary by David Burrows
May 5, 2009 16:00
15 yrs ago
6 viewers *
Spanish term

Coyotero

Spanish to English Other Slang
This refers to a person who illegally accepts money from immigrants to get them across borders or into a country and provide papers/contracts/etc.
Can anyone suggest a good translation for this?
My ideas are 'go-between' or 'middle-man' but they don't convey the illegal and unpleasant nature of the people.
Proposed translations (English)
4 +7 coyotes / human smugglers
4 +3 People Trafficker
4 +2 people smuggler
5 +1 coyote
3 +2 smuggler
4 +1 alien smuggler/smuggler of illegal aliens
1 +1 human smugglers / people smugglers
References
Coyote/Smuggler

Discussion

David Burrows (asker) May 6, 2009:
Thanks Thanks-you all for your comments: it seems as though coyote is a common term over there in the US but less so here in Europe, where I haven't come across it before. I will probably use the smuggler or trafficker term as it is for a European magazine.
AZjuancarlos May 6, 2009:
What is the target audience for the translation? Por ejemplo aquí en el "Southwest" de los EEUU se usa "coyote" tal cual, tanto en inglés como en español. Para el Midwest y el Este de los EEUU seria "human smuggler." Así que depende para donde va la traducción. Coyote esta en el Websters monolingue.
David Burrows (asker) May 5, 2009:
Synonym 'chulquero' is a synonym.

Proposed translations

+7
8 mins
Selected

coyotes / human smugglers

It depends on whether you need to translate formally, as your own suggestions imply, or whether the target text needs to remain as slangy as 'coyotero'/'coyote' in Spanish.

In the western US, at least, we just call them 'coyotes', based on a much older usage of the word to imply unpleasant or untrustworthy people (pronounced 'cahy-o-tee', here, if you will).
I've seen 'human smugglers' used in journalism both for the activity across U.S. borders and out of Asian countries, as a formal alternative.
Best of luck!
Peer comment(s):
agree De Novi : smuggler
4 mins
Thanks, Zanne.
agree Giovanni Rengifo : "coyotes" keeps the register of the source text.
15 mins
I think so too, Giovanni. Thanks.
agree Rachel McRoberts (X) : I would also choose "coyotes" to maintain the register
36 mins
That's my preference, too. Thanks
agree Esperanza González : "Coyotes"
58 mins
Thanks, Esperanza!
agree Jim Tucker (X) : yes, coyotes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_smuggling
1 hr
Thanks for the Agree, Jim.
agree Rocio Barrientos
2 hrs
Thanks, Rocio.
agree marybro : "coyotes"
4 hrs
Thanks, Mary.
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
+2
7 mins

people smuggler

I don't think there's a word in english for the term "coyote"
Peer comment(s):
agree De Novi : smuggler
5 mins
thanx :)
agree Wilsonn Perez Reyes : ...people are unable to afford the rising fees demanded by coyotes, or people smugglers... https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/apr/18/trump-mexico...
3354 days
Something went wrong...
+2
8 mins

smuggler

In Mexico we call those people "coyotes". The closest expression in English is "smuggler", although it's a more general term which includes people who illegally introduce drugs, contraband or any other kind of article into a country.
"Coyote" in Mexico, by the way, also means someone who accepts money in order to help hasten a bureaucratic transaction (usually at government offices) illegally.
Example sentence:

El coyotero (o coyote) aceptó bajar su tarifa porque se trataba de varios inmigrantes ilegales.

The smuggler accepted to lower his price since it concerned several illegal immigrants.

Peer comment(s):
agree De Novi
4 mins
thanks Zanne!
agree Wilsonn Perez Reyes : Give me the money to pay a coyote [smuggler]. http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-immigration-guatemala-201...
3352 days
Something went wrong...
+1
5 mins

alien smuggler/smuggler of illegal aliens

Coyote o pollero.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 mins (2009-05-05 16:08:48 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

In the US, coyote is also used in English to refer to immigrant smugglers.
Peer comment(s):
agree De Novi : smuggler
7 mins
I think it's important to specify that the coyotero smuggles illegal aliens, not merchandise or something else. Thanks for the agree - teju :)
Something went wrong...
+1
10 mins

human smugglers / people smugglers

human smugglers / people smugglers

sources:

Human Smuggler Dismisses U.S. Efforts On Border : NPR - 31 Mar 2009 ... Washington is addressing the problem of coyotes — human smugglers who are largely responsible for illegal immigration across the Southwest ...
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102572753 -

Interpol - People smuggling - 31 Mar 2009 ... It is acknowledged that the smuggling of people is a growing global phenomenon. ... This means that the routes used by people smugglers may ...
www.interpol.int/public/THB/PeopleSmuggling/Default.asp -

Australian PM condemns 'scum' people smugglers - Boston.com - 17 Apr 2009 ... Australia's prime minister denounced people smugglers who set hopeful refugees adrift in rickety boats as "scum" and pledged Friday to step ...
www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2009/04/17/australi... -

People smuggling - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - People smuggling is a term which is used to describe transportation of people across international borders to a non-official entry point of a destination ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_smuggling - 25k -

People smuggling - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Human trafficking differs from people smuggling. A people smuggler will facilitate illegal entry into a country for a fee, but on arrival at their ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_smuggling - 25k -

People Smugglers Inc. - TIME - The cops were not completely shocked: Avianeda and Andrade are reputed people smugglers. Police say the two recently gained trafficking control over a large ...
www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,474582,00.html -
Peer comment(s):
agree De Novi : smuggler
3 mins
Something went wrong...
+3
11 mins

People Trafficker

Lots of references to this though it does sound a bit antispetic
Reference:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1467945/People-trafficker-could-hold-key-to-boys-torso-mystery.html

Peer comment(s):
agree Andrew Bowden : I agree. Take a look at http://www.peopletrafficker.com/
1 min
agree James A. Walsh : Yes, this is certainly the one that I instantly recognised. :)
20 mins
agree JPW (X)
29 mins
neutral Rachel McRoberts (X) : I would say "human" rather than "people" (sounds more natural to me and looks to be more popular), but I can't wholeheartedly support the change in register.
33 mins
Something went wrong...
+1
22 mins

coyote

In the US especially, and because of the great influence of the hispanic community they use this term. All those that smuggle people illegally in the country are called coyotes.
Peer comment(s):
agree Jim Tucker (X) : of course http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_smuggling
1 hr
:)
Something went wrong...

Reference comments

50 mins
Reference:

Coyote/Smuggler

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