Dear Ms. Church
My friends believe that the Portuguese word "puta" translates as "bitch" in English. I dont think this is true. I think that "puta" means "whore" in English.
Gentle Reader
While Ms. Church usually does not answer questions related to translation, she will in this case, as this is a common misconception among Brazilians new to speaking English. You are inded correct and your friends are misguided. The word "bitch" in English slang has generally no sexual connotation. It is used in a derogatory sense to refer to a woman. For example, "Yo, get away from my bitch." It has also (more recently) taken on the meaning of one in a supporting or subservient role, male or female: "John got promoted so I guess I now gotta be his bitch". The adjectival term "bitchy" is also common and usually refers to someone (usually female) in an ill tempered mood. Yes, I would agree that a "puta" would be better translated as a "whore" or "slut".
Do you have a question about English? Ask Ms. Church.
Haha, I love the gangsta language you've used to best demonstrate your explanation.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment
ReplyDeleteBeing what it is, slang that is, I feel we might as well frame it with appropriate (or inappropritate depending on your feelings of slang) examples. Of course this would not be suitable for young learners.
I usually encourage students, who are going overseas to an English speaking country and likely to encounter it, to become familiar with slang. However, I usually encourage these same students not to use most slang themselves. It is very difficult for someone who is not an L1 speaker to know when to use slang appropriately.