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Glossary entry

Spanish term or phrase:

ilustrísimo señor

English translation:

the most illustrious Sir/Mr.

Added to glossary by Justin Peterson
Mar 15, 2023 09:31
1 yr ago
40 viewers *
Spanish term

ilustrísimo señor

Spanish to English Other Names (personal, company) Protocol
Yes, this term has multiple entries on proz, BUT ... this is referring specifically to the nobility (not a political post), this is not the context of a latter, AND a distinction is being made between excelentísimo señor (not translatable or His Excellency, which sounds ridiculous, but so is the Spanish) and ilustrísimo señor.

So, the question is: are these translatable at all, and, if so, do they have two different translations?

"Respecto al tratamiento (honorific prefix) al duque le corresponde, excelentísimo señor, y al marqués, ilustrísimo señor."

Also, here the author is referring to written references to the people in question (not direct speech, not how to address them orally), and in the third person.
Proposed translations (English)
4 the most illustrious Sir/Mr.
3 +3 The Most Honourable
Change log

Mar 15, 2023 15:06: philgoddard changed "Field" from "Social Sciences" to "Other"

Discussion

Muriel Vasconcellos Mar 16, 2023:
Hono(u)able In United Nations protocol, we skip "Most".
AllegroTrans Mar 15, 2023:
Since it's an educational programme (not program) on protocol, and you want British English, as Phil says, there is no UK equivalent. I agree with Phil's suggested method here.
philgoddard Mar 15, 2023:
British English is about spelling and vocabulary, not naming conventions. I don't think you should be looking for UK equivalents, since this is about Spain.

If the customer insists on translations, I would put them in brackets after the Spanish and keep them very literal - so in this case, something like The Most Illustrious.

That said, I think the meaning of El Ilustrísimo Señor would be clear even to someone who didn't speak Spanish.
Justin Peterson (asker) Mar 15, 2023:
Exclusively British is OK By the way, the very British stuff (Most Honourable, Right Honourable) will work, as the client specifically asked for British English, so, I don't need something valid across the English-speaking world
Justin Peterson (asker) Mar 15, 2023:
No, they want translations It is an educational program on protocol, and they want translations of these terms
philgoddard Mar 15, 2023:
Why do you need to translate this? Shouldn't the term be left in Spanish? What is the purpose of the document?

Proposed translations

21 hrs
Selected

the most illustrious Sir/Mr.

the most excellent Sir/Mr. = excelentísimo señor

Please see reference websites. Cheers.
Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Most_Illustrious

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Most_Excellent

Peer comment(s):
neutral AllegroTrans : How do you know? Your refs. prove nothing
10 hrs
Your comment proves that the Spanish "refranero" is always wise; here goes one that fits you quite well: "Los cántaros, cuanto más vacíos, más ruido hacen"
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "OK"
+3
1 hr

The Most Honourable

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marquess

The honorific prefix "The Most Honourable" precedes the name of a marquess or marchioness of the United Kingdom.[3]

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Note added at 1 hr (2023-03-15 10:37:43 GMT)
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forms_of_address_in_the_United...

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Note added at 1 hr (2023-03-15 10:39:02 GMT)
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"In Spain, the rank of Marquess/Marchioness (Marqués/Marquesa) still exists. One hundred forty-two of them are Spanish grandees. Normally a marqués is addressed as "The Most Illustrious Lord" (Ilustrísimo Señor), or if he/she is a grandee as "The Most Excellent Lord" (Excelentísimo Señor). Examples include the Marquess of Carpio, Grandee of Spain."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marquess
Peer comment(s):
agree neilmac : Like the "Molt Honorable" former president of Valencia, a misnomer if ever there was one!
5 mins
Thank you, Neil. :)
neutral philgoddard : Maybe, but (a) this isn't about the UK, and (b) your last reference introduces another translation.
5 hrs
Thanks, Phil. Justin asked 'Are these translatable?'. So, I suggested an answer that would be its equivalent in British English. I then added the last reference as an alternative for Spanish nobility.
agree Ana Vozone
7 hrs
Thank you, Ana.
agree Adrian MM. : Otherwise, courtesy of Phil G. Esquire, a Marquess is addressed as 'Your Lordship' https://www.formsofaddress.info/marquess_marchioness/ vs. Most Noble Duke or His Grace for un duque https://theenglishmanner.com/forms-of-address/dukes/
9 hrs
Yes, thank you Adrian.
neutral AllegroTrans : Well the Asker has not told us exactly what rank this person holds in the nobility or even which Spanish-speaking country this is from so we don't really know whether this is a true "equivalent". I would vote for retaining the Spanish title
1 day 6 hrs
"Respecto al tratamiento (honorific prefix) al duque le corresponde, excelentísimo señor, y al marqués, ilustrísimo señor."
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