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This question was closed without grading. Reason: No acceptable answer
Sep 28, 2019 22:00
4 yrs ago
19 viewers *
Spanish term

desnaturalizar

Spanish to English Social Sciences Social Science, Sociology, Ethics, etc.
Desnaturalizar las formas de lo escolar en tiempos de cambio cultural no solo es un ejercicio sano sino que urgente.

Josep Vicent Marqués decía que el programa de la sociología consiste en desnaturalizar aquello que el pensamiento de sentido común naturalizó, esto sería un antídoto contra el "sociocentrismo" el cual coloca a nuestra sociedad como el parámetro por el cual se mide a las otras sociedades según la cercanía o la lejanía, calificando negativamente al más alejado de nuestras costumbres.

Mirar la realidad desde esta perspectiva implica desnaturalizar la violencia del Estado para reconocer las causas de esas vulneraciones en la estructura social.
Proposed translations (English)
3 +2 (1) revamping; (2) denaturing: (3) transforming
3 denature
3 banish
3 To reshape

Discussion

Muriel Vasconcellos Sep 30, 2019:
Three separate questions? This question illustrates the importance of context. In reality, it was three separate questions, even though the word was the same.
Wendy Gosselin (asker) Sep 30, 2019:
@Sara I definitely agree with you, "dejar de normalizar" is the idea, maybe even "unlearn"...
Muriel Vasconcellos Sep 29, 2019:
@Sara Your suggestion makes perfect sense. The author is misusing the word; he/she really means 'stop normalizing'.
Sara Fairen Sep 29, 2019:
The way I understand it, the original is using “desnaturalizar” quite literally as synonym of “stop accepting as natural” certain perspectives or facts such as state violence. In an educational context, the logical consequence of this attitude would be to question, and then transform, as Muriel has suggested, those perspectives. In the context of state violence, I think in Spanish it would have been more appropriate to talk about “normalizar” or, rather, “dejar de normalizar”. Maybe something like “stop normalising state violence” or "stop accepting state violence as normal"?
Helena Chavarria Sep 29, 2019:
@Wendy I think your own solution for the third example sounds fine.
Wendy Gosselin (asker) Sep 29, 2019:
third example I think that in the third example (actually the one I'm translating), the idea is that state-waged violence is "natural" and/or "accepted", so there "desnaturalizar" would be "stripping (violence) of its natural/accepted status". I just can't find the verb for that!
Muriel Vasconcellos Sep 29, 2019:
The use of the word is confusing The essence of the idea of 'denature' is to change the essence of something, not eliminate it entirely. However, in the case of "violencia," you don't want to alter it; you want to get rid of it entirely. I think the author simply took a liking to the word without really understanding the contexts in which it could be appropriately used.
neilmac Sep 29, 2019:
Agree For example, I think "banish" could work for the part about "desnaturalizar aquello que el pensamiento de sentido común naturalizó", in the sense of "doing away with" or "dropping/abandoning" a concept, but I think we'd need to use at least one other term in the first and third paragraphs.
Muriel Vasconcellos Sep 28, 2019:
denature Sorry, I was working on my answer when Gareth posted his. Mine is a bit different because I don't think the same solution fits all the examples.

Proposed translations

1 hr

denature

I'm not totally sure but I'd say the author is writing about altering the nature of the things mentioned. Another possibility I can think of is that, maybe, these things have become natural, common, and we should try to invert this process.
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+2
1 hr

(1) revamping; (2) denaturing: (3) transforming

(1) modifying; (2) denaturing; (3) dismantling

Explanation:
Linguee gives 'denature' as the translation of "desnaturalizar" and Merriam-Webster offers the following definition:

Main Entry:de£nature
Pronunciation:(*)d*, d*+
Function:verb
Inflected Form:-ed/-ing/-s
Etymology:de- + nature (n.)

transitive verb
1 : to deprive of natural qualities or characteristics : change the nature of *a simplified but not denatured form of one of the world's existing major languages— I.A.Richards* ...

It seems that your author is intrigued with the word and is using it where another simpler one might be clearer. I would stick with 'denature' in your second example, where the author is making a play on words. In the first case, 'modify' or 'revamp' would convey the same idea, IMO. But that doesn't work with "violencia", where a stronger word is needed.
Peer comment(s):
agree Manuel Aburto
1 day 13 hrs
Thank you!
agree Nicole Aime
352 days
Thank you!
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3 hrs

banish

My opinion.
Peer comment(s):
neutral neilmac : This would work in the 2nd paragraph, but not every time the word appears IMHO. It's a tough call.
8 hrs
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15 hrs

To reshape

I agree with the discussion above, the verb seems slightly off because if a negative slant. Perhaps my suggestion can convey the notion of living away from its natural form....
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