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Spanish to English translations [PRO] Science - Zoology
Spanish term or phrase:animales silvestres vs animales salvajes
I'm translating an article on connectedness to nature in preschoolers. The study involves a lexicographic analysis of children's responses to photos of natural and urban environments.
La siguiente categoría con mayor frecuencia fue “animales” con un 32.29%, pero fue dividida en “animales invertebrados” (16.76%), “animales domésticos” (9.50%), “animales silvestres” (2.52%), “animales salvajes” (2.24%) y “reptiles” (1.27%).
I have no access to the images but I am guessing that "animales silvestres" are animals like foxes, otters, etc., while "animales salvajes" are lions, zebras , etc., but only a guess. My problem is I can think of no easy way to differentiate the categories, short of translating "silvestres" as non-domestic. My other thought was woodland animals, but that seems to be too specific. Any ideas?
The author has finally got back to me and says the animales silvestres are ardillas, búhos, aves y conejos, being animals which I imagine the children in the study here in Castilla-La Mancha would immediately recognise. I really do think the best option is woodland animals but will still welcome any input. The animales salvajes are leones, tiburones, elefantes, etc. Thanks to you all for your generous help.
The definition I was referring to is of course 2a and 2b above; semi domesticated is exactly what I meant! This question is about a recognised category of animals and not about certain nasty characteristics of some humans! Thanks Muriel!
Main Entry:1fe£ral Pronunciation:*fir*l, *fer- Function:adjective Etymology:Medieval Latin feralis, from Latin fera wild animal (from feminine of ferus wild) + -alis -al
1 a : suggestive of a beast of prey *feral teeth*; specifically : characterized by inhuman ferocity *the feral hostility of his fellow officers as they denounced and judged him— Albert Hubbell* b : being, characteristic of, or suggesting an animal in the state of nature *the human and feral inhabitants of the forest* *as feral in her wariness as the fierce T dogs that stalked the countryside— Ann F. Wolfe* c : lacking a human personality due to being reared in isolation from all or nearly all human contacts : not socialized *feral children who had been adopted by wolves* 2 a : existing in a state of nature : not domesticated or cultivated *feral and semidomestic animals* b : having escaped from domestication and become wild *several species introduced by settlers soon became feral* synonyms see BRUTAL
Oh, I thought I made it clear I wouldn't use "country animals" at all. In fact, if his English is that bad, I'm wondering now if maybe he wanted to describe "farm animals/livestock" as that is also a step further than "domestic animals". Fact is that "animales silvestres" can be interpreted in quite a few ways and if you look at Google images a variety of animals, including woodland animals but also elephants and lions, is shown. So I would ask the author exactly what he wants to say here...
I see what you’re getting at now (I did wonder...!) but still can’t go along with “country animals”, which is meaningless in EN, whatever the author says. Authors are not usually the best translators, as is evident here. I’m guessing that s/he is not a native EN speaker... meanwhile, for the time being I’m still standing by “feral” as (a) it exists as a translation of silvestre in the trusty Collins (ES=>EN), and (b) it fits in the natural progression of Domestic=>feral=>wild
I don’t have to go with the author’s translation. He also has “inanimated nature” for the category of “naturaleza inanimada” and I’m obviously going to change that.
Yes, I assumed you'd seen that already. I think "local wildlife" might be a synonym for "country animals" (which I would NOT use), which is why I agreed with Marie// edited now neutral as not sure
I see now that the Asker has found the author's translation. Foxes and otters were only a guess. IMO, he should close the question and use what the author wanted, even though it doesn't make much sense.
I have just found the author's translation of the terms at the end of the article in an appendix. He has used "country animals" and "wild animals". Not too sure about that ...