What Does Que le den por el saco al obispo Mean?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the translation and meaning of the Spanish phrase "Que le den por el saco al obispo." Participants explore its linguistic components, cultural context, and possible interpretations, with references to literature and personal anecdotes. The scope includes translation, cultural references, and humorous commentary.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants attempt to translate the phrase, breaking it down into its components, with varying interpretations of each word.
  • One participant suggests that the phrase is strange and questions whether it implies an intention to "sack" a bishop.
  • Another participant connects the phrase to a character from Graham Greene's "Monsignor Quixote," providing context for its use in the narrative.
  • Concerns are raised about the reliability of translation software, with a participant noting that context is often lost in translations.
  • One participant humorously speculates that the phrase might refer to giving a tithe to the church, based on their interpretation of the words.
  • References to cultural figures and anecdotes, such as a quote from former US VP Dan Quayle, are made to highlight misunderstandings in language learning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the translation and meaning of the phrase, with no consensus reached on its interpretation or cultural significance.

Contextual Notes

Some participants acknowledge the limitations of their understanding of Spanish, which may affect their interpretations. The discussion also highlights the potential for misinterpretation in translation due to cultural nuances.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in language translation, cultural references in literature, and humorous takes on language learning may find this discussion relevant.

zk4586
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Someone translate this for me if you will:

Que le den por el saco al obispo.
 
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Are you sure that is not mexican or spanish??
 
I guess being able to speak spanish is finally paying off.

Que le den - That they give
por el saco - for the sacking
al obispo - to the bishop


Hmm, that's a strange saying? Are you trying to sack a bishop?
 
Pretty sure it is Spanish, which I don't know how to speak.. all I can make of it is:

que = who/that
le = you
por = because of/for/by
el = the
saco = sack/bag
al = the
obispo = bishop

!?

There IS a bishop coming to Europe soon with a big sack, into which he will put children which are not nice to him and take them back to Spain.. does that have anything to do with it??
 
Originally posted by dduardo
I guess being able to speak spanish is finally paying off.

Que le den - That they give
por el saco - for the sacking
al obispo - to the bishop


Hmm, that's a strange saying? Are you trying to sack a bishop?
Couldn't you wait ONE minute??
 
Ha! Shows where my two years of high school Spanish got me. I can't even recognize the language. It's from Graham Greene's, Monsignor Quixote. It's a modern retelling of Cervantes' classic tale. Anyway, the Monsignor goes out on a road trip across Spain with the communist ex-mayor of El Toboso and the two of them get into some trouble. The Bishop becomes angry and gets a priest and a doctor to go and bring back the Monsignor. So, anyway, to wrap up this explanation, the Monsignor, still a little hazy from all the wine he's consumed, wakes up the next morning back in El Toboso, and when the priest and the doctor try to explain why they brought him back, that it was the bishop's idea, Monsignor Quixote mutters that sentence. Everyone in the room, including the Monsignor, is shocked (except the Monsignor's maid, who chuckles) and later the doctor sort of roughly translates it as "bugger the bishop." Thanks all.
 
This reminds me of an alleged quote by former US VP Dan Quayle:

"I was recently on a tour of Latin America, and the only regret I have was that I didn't study Latin harder in school so I could converse with those people."
 
  • #10
Don't trust current translation software. They always mess up context. What does coat have to do with sacking anyway?
 
  • #11
"That they give by the bag to the bishop."

I can only assume it mean a tithe -- giving money to the church.

- Warren
 
  • #12
Originally posted by quartodeciman
This reminds me of an alleged quote by former US VP Dan Quayle:

"I was recently on a tour of Latin America, and the only regret I have was that I didn't study Latin harder in school so I could converse with those people."

Well, I hope my post wasn't quite that bad. Dan Quayle. Republicans. [Sigh]
 

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