BajaNomad - Going to a mechanic, need language help

Going to a mechanic, need language help

SFandH - 8-25-2011 at 12:31 PM

I'm taking an outboard motor to a mechanic I know in Ensenada, he doesn't speak English.

The battery charging circuit doesn't work nor does the pushbutton switch on the controls that closes the carburetor choke plate.

I'm going to have trouble explaining both problems. I'd probably be OK if I went there and showed him what I mean but I'd like to talk to him on the phone first.

battery charging system

caburetor choke mechanism

Thanks

DENNIS - 8-25-2011 at 12:40 PM

Write it out in English and run it through Google Translate. It's better than nothing and he'll get the point.

SFandH - 8-25-2011 at 01:05 PM

Thanks but I'm hoping for something better than "better than nothing". The word "charge" has many meanings. And the word "choke" as it's used in fuel systems I bet is a problem for gist translators, however they are getting better.

I suppose I could use back and forth google translations until I get a good one but I know (think) there are fluent spanish speakers reading this message board.

DENNIS - 8-25-2011 at 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SFandH
Thanks but I'm hoping for something better than "better than nothing". The word "charge" has many meanings. And the word "choke" as it's used in fuel systems I bet is a problem for gist translators, however they are getting better.

I suppose I could use back and forth google translations until I get a good one but I know (think) there are fluent spanish speakers reading this message board.

Yeah....well, you're in Ensenada and never more that two feet away from someone who speaks our lingo.
I suppose you probably want to go fishing before you have gained fluent control over the language.

Oso - 8-25-2011 at 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Carburador is easy enough. The choke is the estrangulador.
Circuito also easy. Charge is cargar. The correct term for battery is accumulador, but around the border a lot of people use bateria.

So try this; Ni el estrangulador del carburador ni el circuito de cargar la bateria funcionan.

Let us know how it comes out.

[Edited on 8-25-2011 by Oso]

Cypress - 8-25-2011 at 01:41 PM

Maybe he does speak English? Maybe your bill will be a portion of his retirement fund? :yes:

SFandH - 8-25-2011 at 02:13 PM

Thanks Oso.

shari - 8-25-2011 at 03:52 PM

it's fine and dandy to prepare your questions but the trouble is when he asks a question or talks to YOU! How about you ask my daughter Sirenita's boyfriend Adrian to make the call for you...you can go to their house and be there...Adrian is fluent in both languages and his dad is a fisherman so he prolly understands about motors...I will U2U you their phone # if you want it.

Sirenita is in the process of starting a home business...she is doing translations and does peoples immigration stuff, letters, phone call etc.

[Edited on 8-26-2011 by shari]

DENNIS - 8-25-2011 at 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
Sirenita has started a home business...she is doing translations and does peoples immigration stuff, letters, phone call etc.

Cool. Licensed translator or convenience translator?

JESSE - 8-25-2011 at 04:24 PM

Do it the old fashion way, find someone to traslate for you on the spot.

The Spanish word for Choke

Gypsy Jan - 8-25-2011 at 04:30 PM

Is "Estramguliador "? The "Strangler"?

The explicit descriptive words in Spanish enchant me.

JESSE - 8-25-2011 at 04:44 PM

If you use google, you might end up getting an oil change yourself :lol:

Oso - 8-25-2011 at 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
Is "Estramguliador "? The "Strangler"?

The explicit descriptive words in Spanish enchant me.

Basically yes. Think about it, same function. There are dozens of meanings for choke but this one was listed with the designation "AUTO" in my unabridged Larousse.

BTW, I also recommend a local interpreter if you can find one.

Also, I'm still looking for a specific mechanical dictionary. I've seen ones devoted to medical, legal, etc. Any clues? It may be difficult because of regional differences. Frenos around here are "brekas".

shari - 8-25-2011 at 05:36 PM

that's the thing about having someone local from Ensenada do the call for you...they know the lingo...and chances are less of getting ripped off.

DENNIS - 8-25-2011 at 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SFandH
Yeah but I want to make a phone call first. The motor is in Ensenada, but I'm not and I don't want to drive there if not necessary. I'm pretty good with Spanish so calling doesn't worry me, I just want to make sure he understands what the problems are when I call. Plus he knows me and knows to speak slowly and simply when we talk.

Lemme know if I can help. I can handle this.

SFandH - 8-25-2011 at 05:56 PM

DENNIS, thanks but I just deleted my post you quoted. This is getting complicated, Oso answered my question.

I need another beer.

[Edited on 8-26-2011 by SFandH]

Gilberto, Mechanico in Esenada

Gypsy Jan - 8-25-2011 at 06:13 PM

He fixed and repainted our cars.

He is a Marine Mechanic.

Search the board. Since my computer crashed, I don't have his contact info.

Tano - 8-25-2011 at 09:07 PM

¿¿¿Estrangulador??? You’ll give him a story to tell his grandchidren. ¡Y este gringo me dijo que quería que le arreglara el “estrangulador”!

Just call it choque (chalk-k), but I think the proper name is cebador.

[Edited on 8-26-2011 by Tano]

[Edited on 8-26-2011 by Tano]

Katiejay99 - 8-26-2011 at 05:49 AM

I recently had a guy explaining to me how to start up a generator in Spanish. He called the choke - well choke - mostly just like we say it.

Not that it was difficult to start up a generator, he just felt the need to show me. Easy - pull the choke, turn the key to crank it up, push the choke back in - done deal.

[Edited on 8-28-2011 by Katiejay99]

DENNIS - 8-26-2011 at 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tano
Just call it choque (chalk-k), but I think the proper name is cebador.

When all else fails, Spanglish steps in. When that fails, draw pictures. I do that often. May sound juvenile, but it works.

Oso - 8-26-2011 at 02:28 PM

Tano is right. Estrangulador is the dictionary translation but local usage would probably be choque.

SFandH - 8-27-2011 at 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tano
¿¿¿Estrangulador??? You’ll give him a story to tell his grandchidren. ¡Y este gringo me dijo que quería que le arreglara el “estrangulador”!

Just call it choque (chalk-k), but I think the proper name is cebador.

Found my Oxford Spanish Dictionary and it says that in Mexico cebador is the correct term for an automotive choke. Google translates cebador to primer which sort of makes sense.

The dictionary first lists estarter and ahogador as the words for an automotive choke. Google translates both of those to choke.

BTW, a bilingual friend helped me with the phone call after which I was able to fix both of the mechanical problems myself.