2

I have been finding different translations for this sentence I want to use.

No borders (plural) for this bird
Hay fronteras papa esta ave.

I read "ave" is used for the general expression of all birds, nothing specific, whereas "pájaro" expresses a zoological distinguishment.

And, I also read that "pájaro" could have a homosexual implication.

No border (singular) for this bird
Sin frontera para este pájaro
Ninguna frontera para este pájaro

I do have a particular bird in mind and it is from Mexico, so I wish to get the correct translation.

Can someone help me out with this?

6
  • 1
    Why is your first example mistranslated? "Hay fronteras para esta ave" means "there are borderd for this bird"...
    – Brian H.
    Commented Feb 10, 2017 at 12:17
  • 1
    I think a bit more context is needed to translate that sentence. It could be "[there are] no borders...", then it is "no hay fronteras...", but it could also be understood as an order: "no borders for this bird!", then the translation could be "¡nada de fronteras para este pájaro!".
    – Charlie
    Commented Feb 10, 2017 at 12:23
  • I agree that some more context is required. Are you speaking about a migrating bird that can move and live in different areas or countries without restrictions? Or is it metaphorical?
    – Gustavson
    Commented Feb 10, 2017 at 13:45
  • That first example is what a translation web site gave me. Yes, it is a migrating bird from Mexico. I am referring to a bird that was sighted in my area that is not a native, but a migrant from Mexico. What I wish to infer is that this bird doesn't care about borders and can fly over them and/or that this bird is against borders. And, I am hinting a metaphor.
    – retts
    Commented Feb 10, 2017 at 14:26
  • Presumably you want to avoid the technical term ave migratoria dle.rae.es/?id=4X8WU1M for some reason?
    – mdewey
    Commented Feb 10, 2017 at 15:08

1 Answer 1

1

How about these?

  • Es un ave sin fronteras.
  • Es un ave que no tiene / no conoce fronteras.
  • No existen fronteras para esta ave.

If used in a metaphorical sense, it could refer to a free soul or spirit (un ser libre, sin ataduras).

9
  • Gustavson, I like the third one. No existen fronteras para esta ave.
    – retts
    Commented Feb 10, 2017 at 15:05
  • Yes, "existen" is always more sophisticated than "hay".
    – Gustavson
    Commented Feb 10, 2017 at 15:06
  • I had another paragraph attached to my reply, but it seems to have not posted. What I am doing is making a statement, not only about the bird, which is migratory, but a political statement about borders. It is serendipitous that, in this time, a black-backed oriole, which is a migratory bird, rarely seen in the US, has landed here nearby where I live. The idea came to me in sort of a dream and I am creating a design. I like that "existen" is more sophisticated than ""hay", and am wondering if I can eliminate "existen" and just say " No fronteras para esta ave." Has more puch, more direct?
    – retts
    Commented Feb 10, 2017 at 15:21
  • I'd say: "Sin fronteras para esta ave". "No fronteras" is not Spanish usage.
    – Gustavson
    Commented Feb 10, 2017 at 16:27
  • When I saw this one my immediate thought was that I would have said "This bird knows no boundaries" which has a nice symmetry with the two b sounds and the two n sounds. That brought me to esta ave no reconece ninguna frontera which seemed to me in the spirit of your second suggestion but stronger. Perhaps reconecer is wrong here though.
    – mdewey
    Commented Feb 11, 2017 at 13:31

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.