Translation 433, Spanish Insights “baba.” Polysemy in 9 environments with 13 translations to English pursuant to the environment and context.

Translation 433, Spanish Insights “baba.” Polysemy in 9 environments with13 translations to English pursuant to the environment and context.

?

1) [saliva] (adult) spittle, saliva; (child) dribble; (dog) slobber

2) idiom: echar baba: [to throw saliva] to drool, slobber

3) idiom: mala baba: [bad saliva] bad temper, nasty character

4) idiom: se le caía la baba: [his saliva was falling down] he was thrilled to bits, he was thrilled to pieces

5) [plegm] (nose) mucus; (snail) slime, secretion

6) (Colombia, Venezuela) small crocodile

7) (animals) froth, foam

8) (plants) sap

9) Idiom: salir con su batea de babas [leave with his tray of saliva ] do something foolish

?

Observations: Note the translation to English of “baba” or “babas” in these nine contexts. Four of the nine are idioms (2,3.4.9) and in these cases in addition to the meaning, you have the literal translation of each idiom in brackets. Note the different usage with plants versus animals (7,8), or the different translations of plegm when it comes from a nose versus a snail (5). Also note the translation of “saliva” for an adult changes to “dribble” for children and “slobber” for a dog (1). Finally note the meaning of little crocodile for both Colombia and Venezuela, which of course are adjacent to each other.

Please add additional translations of “baba” in other contexts to make this study more complete. And, please cite your source which could simply be its usage in a certain country or region, or a specific dictionary or glossary, or your own particulate usage. In the event of the later, please let us know where you are from. Thanks!

?

Sources

Collins Unabridged Spanish Dictionary

Larousse Unabridged Spanish Dictionary

Magic Spanish English app