Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Spanish term or phrase:
Tumbao - not relating to dance or music
English translation:
I\'m cool
Added to glossary by
davidgreen
Oct 5, 2014 12:42
9 yrs ago
3 viewers *
Spanish term
Tumbao - not relating to dance or music
Spanish to English
Social Sciences
Government / Politics
asking this for a friend finishing a book on Colombia. Thanks in advance for any help!
“El mejor lugar donde podía surgir, crecer el modelo cartesiano androcentrico, es Antioquia, yo no sé si hay otro lugar en el mundo [así]”
“Es la cultura del tumbao. Tumbao es que yo soy importante”
And here's some context:
De manera interesante, Patricia argumenta que la cultura de Antioquia ha provisto la base perfecta para el surgimiento de un sistema androcentrico. Se argumenta que la gente tiende a buscar su bienestar a costa de otros y usualmente con una actitud claramente machista. Es más, se explicó que la gente local siente mayor satisfacción si el éxito personal viene acompañado de la miseria ajena.
“El mejor lugar donde podía surgir, crecer el modelo cartesiano androcentrico, es Antioquia, yo no sé si hay otro lugar en el mundo [así]”
“Es la cultura del tumbao. Tumbao es que yo soy importante”
And here's some context:
De manera interesante, Patricia argumenta que la cultura de Antioquia ha provisto la base perfecta para el surgimiento de un sistema androcentrico. Se argumenta que la gente tiende a buscar su bienestar a costa de otros y usualmente con una actitud claramente machista. Es más, se explicó que la gente local siente mayor satisfacción si el éxito personal viene acompañado de la miseria ajena.
Proposed translations
(English)
5 +1 | I'm cool | Phoenix III |
3 | scamming | DLyons |
2 | I'm alright Jack | Lisa McCarthy |
2 | oneupmanship | Jessica Noyes |
References
tumbao - Urban Dictionary entry | Carol Gullidge |
Proposed translations
+1
1 hr
Selected
I'm cool
I'm from Colombia and I understand the different cultures (yes, plural) and lingo there. Tumbao (tumbe/tumbado) is a slang expression that means deceive/rob/scam and I just say robbed. It also refers to a way of walking, with a certain sway for women and a "you know I'm cool" for men. Last but not least, it is said of a person that conquers or "gets", wins the heart of another (it applies equally to both sexes). In your text, it says "Tumbao es que yo soy importante" there, it refers to the way he/she walks. "Move over, I'm cool" sort of. However, below it describes the person that is lawless and makes no secret of his/her way of life and glorifies in it and so this reflects in his way of walking.
Bottom line, I'd say we go back to the way of walking that reflects his/her underworld way of life. And so, I go back to the "I'm cool" because it sums it all up. It's a way of life in a world of "it's you or me", a world that allows no other.
Bottom line, I'd say we go back to the way of walking that reflects his/her underworld way of life. And so, I go back to the "I'm cool" because it sums it all up. It's a way of life in a world of "it's you or me", a world that allows no other.
Note from asker:
Many thanks to all of you for responding so quickly - these are all fantastic suggestions - I've written an explanation in a footnote and kept the original Spanish in the text - it clearly is too complicated for a one word translation! Particular thanks to Phoenix III for that really thorough explanation of all the cultural factors involved. |
Peer comment(s):
agree |
Carol Gullidge
: or even "swagger" if this refers to a way of walking
25 mins
|
Thanks so much! I couldn't think of swagger but you're right. :0)
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Many thanks to all of you for responding so quickly - these are all fantastic suggestions - I've written an explanation in a footnote and kept the original Spanish in the text - it clearly is too complicated for a one word translation! Particular thanks to Phoenix III for that really thorough explanation of all the cultural factors involved.
"
7 mins
scamming
En Colombia, un tumbador es un ladrón, estafador.
15 mins
I'm alright Jack
What first came to my mind was the Gaelic 'Mé féin' and then the British equivalent of it 'I'm alright Jack', but 'I'm not sure if this is may be a bit 'light' for your context. It basically describes someone who only cares about themselves, as long as they themselves are comfortable they couldn't care less about others. But I'm not sure that it means you would take pleasure in achieving success by stomping on others along the way.
I'm alright Jack mentality exists - News Guardian
www.newsguardian.co.uk/.../i-m-alright-jack-mentality-exist...
5 Jul 2012 - I am disappointed both in the culture in which we live and in many of those who have created that culture. The 'I'm alright Jack' mentality still ...
DunedainRanger's public profile | Identity | The Guardian
https://profile.theguardian.com/user/id/4044723
9 Sep 2014 - The UK has a culture of self abuse, I'm alright jack anything for a quick buck and zero understanding of the concept of the common weal.
I'm alright Jack mentality exists - News Guardian
www.newsguardian.co.uk/.../i-m-alright-jack-mentality-exist...
5 Jul 2012 - I am disappointed both in the culture in which we live and in many of those who have created that culture. The 'I'm alright Jack' mentality still ...
DunedainRanger's public profile | Identity | The Guardian
https://profile.theguardian.com/user/id/4044723
9 Sep 2014 - The UK has a culture of self abuse, I'm alright jack anything for a quick buck and zero understanding of the concept of the common weal.
Peer comment(s):
neutral |
Muriel Vasconcellos
: The dictionary says 'alright' is now acceptable, but I still cringe.
8 hrs
|
1 hr
oneupmanship
This is what immediately came to mind
Reference comments
1 hr
Reference:
tumbao - Urban Dictionary entry
tumbao
An Afro-Puerto Rican word (or African Carribean--came from an African language at any rate), which means "an indescribable African sexiness or swing."
Coño, esa chica es tumbao...
or Calle 13 "La Jirafa"
Planta tus pies como dos raices
Con ese tumbao puede que me hechice
An Afro-Puerto Rican word (or African Carribean--came from an African language at any rate), which means "an indescribable African sexiness or swing."
Coño, esa chica es tumbao...
or Calle 13 "La Jirafa"
Planta tus pies como dos raices
Con ese tumbao puede que me hechice
Discussion