Does it work the same as in English, ie would a character say " Swell" or "Great" when he really meant
"Good grief"?
"Good grief"?
Sarcasm in Spanish
- Thread starter Kathie Freeman
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It might depend on the area ... Hispanics in Phoenix do use sarcasm, but it may be leakage from English.
It's a tone of voice difference.
It's a tone of voice difference.
Spaniards also use sarcasm, though what constitutes humour varies from one culture to another, one person to another.
I have lived with, and around, a lot of Spanish speakers and can't remember any words or statements I would characterize as sarcasm.
But Spanish is loaded with devastating putdowns. Words and phrases loaded with connotations that can immediately start a fist-fight or leave listeners rolling on the floor in laughter. These words are much more direct and descriptive, though. They are more like a canon, when compared to our pistol (sarcasm, as we use it).
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Ibis won't be home till late, so you're stuck with my gringa translations.
To answer the OP - I am living in a world filled with sarcasm, at least coming from me. My in-laws don't speak English and I use the same type of humor in Spanish as I do in English. Such as using your "Nooooo" type description. They always laugh, so they either get it or think I'm crazy.
Which might well be the case.
To answer the OP - I am living in a world filled with sarcasm, at least coming from me. My in-laws don't speak English and I use the same type of humor in Spanish as I do in English. Such as using your "Nooooo" type description. They always laugh, so they either get it or think I'm crazy.
Which might well be the case.
Is more of a mocking ironic voice tone:
No me digas "Don't say so"
Que bien "That's good"
¿De verdad? "Really?"
The only phrase I can think so right now is (when someone says something really obvious):
¡Descubriste América, Colón! "You have discovered America, Colombus!"
No me digas "Don't say so"
Que bien "That's good"
¿De verdad? "Really?"
The only phrase I can think so right now is (when someone says something really obvious):
¡Descubriste América, Colón! "You have discovered America, Colombus!"
(Digesting all the above)
So I guess that's "no" and "yes" and "depends".
So here's the situation: The older MC who is quite full of himself has a way of using obscure and obselete words instead of common, everday ones and the younger MC reacts: "Swell. You sound like something out of (Cervantes). Can't you just talk like a normal person?
So I guess that's "no" and "yes" and "depends".
So here's the situation: The older MC who is quite full of himself has a way of using obscure and obselete words instead of common, everday ones and the younger MC reacts: "Swell. You sound like something out of (Cervantes). Can't you just talk like a normal person?
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I think that sounds fine. And the reference is far-fetched enough that I think it's clear you intend it to be sarcastic.