rural translations

Many countries have more than one common or official language and some have many different dialects as well. But everyday language is still relatively easy to translate compared to the difficulty of pinning down the precise meanings of words that are only used within a specific trade.

Often people who have not worked in these specific fields are completely unaware of the existence of the terms commonly used. Or worse still, they have an inaccurate understanding of the words. This is the case with agriculture all over the world – there are many everyday terms that are either misunderstood or not known at all in nearby urban areas — which is where most language specialists are born and bred.

The countries mentioned in these word lists are approximate, only, because languages commonly spoken tend to follow geographic borders rather than straight lines drawn on a map showing invisible country boundaries, and many words that are spelt in similar or even identical ways are pronounced differently. And languages constantly evolve, with word meanings changing. Some of the words listed are disappearing from common use.

It is interesting to see the similarity between words used in different regions because they give clues about the evolution of languages and how, for example, horses have spread to distant parts of the world. There are some excellent websites that list common English words and what language they have been borrowed or evolved from, for example Word Origins.

The book ‘A Million Acre Masterpiece’ has explanations for many uniquely Australian outback words and expressions used to describe the life, work and landscape on Australia’s largest cattle stations. As is the case in many countries, many of these unique terms are only familiar to those who use them in the course of their ordinary daily life.

Thank You

I would like to thank everyone who has helped ensure these translations are accurate, in particular:

• Maria Melon Gil & Guadalupe Reguera (Argentina)
• Eduardo Tobar (Spain)