Clemenseando

People en Español in English

People en Español is now also available in poorly-written English.

Feel the irresistible force of this compelling lede sentence:

"It all started as a rumor a couple of months."

Give in to the allure of this baffling home page pull-quote:

"Like Pablo, a lot of important things have happened to me, from singing in the White House to singing Mexican music with former president Fox in the plaza in Beijing.¨
- Pablo Montero, in an interview about naming his unborn son Pablo, even though his real name is Óscar Hernández"

Rhyme along with the translator:

"We searched high and low for him and his rep always said no."

And the list of examples is seemingly inexhaustible. The English-language articles on Peoplenespanol.com are a case study in how not to translate a Web site.

Mind you, the idea of translating People en Español into English may sound crazy but the concept actually makes sense. I am convinced there is a potential audience of Latino readers who are both Spanish-challenged and interested in reading about the Hispanic and Latin American celebrities that People en Español routinely cover.

The talented freelance reporter Derek Reveron referred to the new website in a recent Marketing y Medios article:

"People en Español did extensive research before launching its English-language Web site in January. "Had I not had the research, I probably would have done it anyway because it's abundantly clear that this should have happened a couple of years ago," said managing editor Peter Castro.

...

"In May, the Web site received 8.5 million page views and 550,000 unique visitors, according to Omniture. The site recorded up to 750,000 hits in one day when it featured content related to People en Espanol's "Los 50 Más Bellos" issue. The number of hits reached 450,000 the day the Web site broke an exclusive story about singer Juanes splitting from his wife, Karen Martínez."

That's all fine and dandy, but I wonder if some translator isn't pulling Mr. Castro´s leg.

I say that because the copy ("Confirmed: Pablo Montero Will Be A Father") sounds scripted for Iñigo Montoya in "The Princess Bride":

"Hello.  My name is Iñigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

Full Disclosure: I unsuccessfully pitched People en Español a story idea several months ago. They very politely rejected my story idea but invited me to send along my cv so I could be considered for future assignments. I never did so. Somehow I don´t think they´ll be knocking down my door after reading this post. I used to write for Marketing y Medios and I have spoken to Derek Reveron a couple of times on the phone.

 

TV Critics Should Cover Univision

Television critics should start taking Spanish lessons.

Univision's ratings are too strong to ignore. More so during the summer when the English-language networks air reruns and reality shows. Meanwhile, Univision keeps running new telenovela episodes and major soccer competitions. The good news is that it doesn't take much Spanish to follow the basic plot of a telenovela and just one word, goooooooooooool!, suffices to follow a soccer match on Univision.

One columnist seems to already be taking lessons:

"Dieciocho (that's 18) producciones en español beat Fox's movie-maker competition dud On the Lot, stolen from HBO's Project Greenlight."   

And another keeps half-seriously asserting that Univision will surpass NBC's ratings. I have my doubts but it could happen.

Newspaper reporters on the television beat seem to relish citing ratings data that show Univision beating one of the Big Four in a given time slot. It is a way of saying to ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox - 'your programs are so lame that even Univision is being watched by more viewers'.

But television beat reporters rarely go beyond ratings data when it comes to Univision. And coverage of telenovelas, the most-popular program genre on Spanish-language television, often reads like a smackdown: 

"Hey, remember all those stories about how American TV viewers were finally read to embrace telenovelas? April Fool! They hated a daily schedule of novelas, so much so that MyNetworkTV has officially abandoned them."

Or coolly dismissive, as in the NYT's "Sizzling a Year Ago, but Now Pfffft ..."

"The telenovela, the steamy low-budget soap opera genre that has become the staple of television programming in Spanish-speaking countries, lives on its sudden bursts of uncontrollable — and loudly acted — passion.

Maybe that was what was burning in the hearts of network executives in New York about this time last year when, seemingly out of the blue, many of them announced a rush to begin developing a new form of programming for the summer: the American telenovela."

If nothing else, speaking Spanish would help beat reporters better cover Ben Silverman's programming announcements and not fall for inaccurate translations such as "Without breasts there is no paradise" ("No Tits, No glory" is a much more accurate translation of "Sin tetas no hay paraiso".)

Too often, coverage of Spanish-language television is ignorant or inaccurate (see here and here). Even more often, it is just absent.

For instance, the Univision O&O in Los Angeles has the highest rated local newscast in any language. Last month, news director Jorge Mettey left the station and there was no mention of this fact in the LAT. I can´t imagine the departure (or firing or whatever else it was) of the news director of the lower-rated KABC, KCBS, KNBC or KTLA going unnoticed and unreported by the Los Angeles Times.  Considering the LAT's stated interest in attracting readers then it makes sense for the paper to do a better job of covering Spanish-language television and English-language television for Latinos.

I wish more reporters would do as Robert Feder of the Chicago Sun-Times and consistently cover the goings on at local Spanish-language television stations.

I obviously understand many beat reporters and critics face a language barrier. I am also obviously aware that Spanish-language television is, well, in Spanish and thus of limited interested to many readers. But, newspaper music critics routinely review Latin music and concerts. As a consumer of Latin music, I and many others benefit from reading what the LAT´s Agustín Gurza writes about Antonio Aguilar, Isaac Delgado and others. Why? Because even though I speak English I listen to music in Spanish. Not exclusively but plenty of it. Likewise, and like many Latinos, I watch both English-language and Spanish-language television.

I want to read what the many fine television critics in the land have to say about the programming on Univision and Telemundo and Telefutura and Azteca America. (Yes, they each air more than just telenovelas.)

I find it amusing that the best newspaper coverage of Univision is produced by business reporters. (Read the work of Christina Hoag in the Miami Herald, Meg James in the LAT and Miriam Jordan in the WSJ.)  I think such strong business coverage is great. However, in the absence of equally good criticism of programming, the unstated message is newspapers think Hispanics are more important as consumers than viewers.

Maybe the Television Critics Association can negotiate a group discount at Berlitz.

Jorge Ramos Now 'Jose Ramos' - Variety

Variety Weekly saw fit to rename longtime Univision anchor, book author and newspaper columnist Jorge Ramos and call him "Jose Ramos" in a recent article. No accent on the e, either. Here it is:

Contempt for the tenor of the debate on immigration is a common thread in Univision's news coverage. Both "Noticiero Univision" co-anchors, Maria Elena Salinas and Jose Ramos, have debated CNN anchor Lou Dobbs on the issue of illegal immigrants.

"Jose Ramos" - I can't imagine Variety referring to Brian Williams as Bruce or to Larry King as Lenny. Someone would have caught that kind of mistake - a copyeditor, a section editor or the executive editor. But, I guess Variety doesn't have copyeditors, section editors or executive editors who watch the Univision newscast.

Full Disclosure - I write often for Multichannel News, which is published by the same company that owns Variety.

Two South Florida Spanish-Language Television Anchors Made Political Contributions

A prominent Spanish-language television anchor, Alina Mayo Azze of Univision's Miami station, should be added to the list compiled by MSNBC's Bill Dedman of more than a hundred journalists who have made political contributions since 2004.

According to the Federal Election Commission database of individual contributors, Ms. Mayo Azze contributed $1,000 to the U.S.-Cuba Democracy Political Action Committee in June, 2005. (Or at the very least, a contribution in that amount was made in her name.) The PAC's treasurer is Gus Machado owner of a Ford dealership in Hialeah, Florida. I do not know if he currently buys time on the Univision station where Mayo Azze is employed.

If you go back before 2004, then you can add Telemundo network morning show anchor José Diaz-Balart to the list as well.

It is no secret that José Diaz-Balart's family is heavily involved in politics. His father was a Congressman in Cuba. His brothers Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Mario Diaz-Balart are both members of the United States Congress. According to the FEC, José contributed $1000 to Mario's campaign during his first run for Congress in June, 2002. (Or, as above, at the very least a contribution in that amount was made in his name.)

That José Diaz-Balart faces potential conflicts of interest when it comes to covering politics is a long-established and well-known fact. And that a South Florida Spanish-language television anchor has strong feelings about U.S. policy towards Cuba should surprise no one in Miami. Still, even obvious facts are worth reporting. Particularly since plenty of other Cuban American journalists have seen fit not to make political contributions.

For the record, I went to school with a younger brother of Ms. Mayo Azze and I worked the weekend shift with José Diaz-Balart at WTVJ for two years. That was a long time ago, in both instances.

"No Tits, No Glory" - NBC & Telemundo

"Controversial" and "provocatively titled" is how NBC and Telemundo recently described their latest overseas program acquisition, "Sin tetas no hay paraiso". But the press release does not let on just how controversial and provocative.

"No Tits, No Glory" is the most accurate rendition of the Colombian television show's title into English. It encapsulates the literal and figurative meaning. Tetas means tits. No way around it. NBCU opted instead for the awkward, sanitized and inaccurate translation of "Without Breasts There Is No Paradise".

You can see why.  I am sure TV Guide wouldn't list "No Tits, No Glory" on its program schedule. The FCC would be up in arms. And even the anodyne translation prompted a flurry of frat-boy headlines such as the OC Register's "NBC puts 'Breast' Foot Forward", Variety's "'Breasts' Could Be 'Paradise'" and New York Magazine's "Without Breasts There Is No Television". Jossip, though, had the best and most accurate headline "NBC's Ben Silverman's First Buy: Tits".

Turn here for the creepy opening sequence of "No Tits, No Glory", which was produced by Caracol in Colombia.

Univision Debate Not Getting Very Far

AP writes about Univision's voter-registration campaign, the New York Times reports on the latest about Univision's presidential debate (to be conducted in English according to this 'clarification') and the Washington Post features Eddie "El Piolin" Sotelo (the article reads like 'Mr. Tweety Bird Goes to Washington'). Plus the Ventura County Star reports the network is "bankrolling" assistance to immigrants in filling out their applications. And, of course, the network has been mentioned in the context of Governor Schwarzenegger's suggestion that Latinos turn off Spanish-language television.

Yet, the flurry of coverage (which is a novelty for Univision) combined with a direct plea have yet to translate into much attendance at the upcoming debate, which may end up being as empty as the boxes at Piolin´s press conference.  Boosting participation in the debate is clearly a priority for the network and the agency handling its media relations but the most popular candidates are not jumping at the offer. For many of the candidates, attending a debate sponsored by a Spanish-language network is apparently just too fraught with negative symbolism.

Take a peek in the comments section here for a mild taste of the online venom poisoning the prospects of Univision's presidential debate. (Or read here about Univision´s reach and about how Presidential Candidates Flunk Spanish.)   

John Edwards en español

AFP put out a story about the importance of the Latino vote and reviews the Hispanic outreach effort of various presidential candidates including John Edwards who: 

"has a page in "Espanol" with the slogan 'El Manana Comienza Hoy,' or 'Tomorrow Begins Today.'"

The article fails to note that Edwards's Spanish-language slogan is indecipherable. See Presidential Candidates Flunk Spanish for other examples of glaring grammatical and stylistic mistakes on campaign Web sites.

 

Presidential Candidates Flunk Spanish

Senator Christopher Dodd speaks very good Spanish and has called on other presidential candidates to participate in a Univision-sponsored debate. Yet, unless I am missing something, his campaign Web site does not have a separate Spanish-language section.

Senator Clinton does not speak Spanish and turned down Univision´s offer but does have information in español on her Web site.  The EN ESPAÑOL button is visible in the upper right hand corner of the home page. Once there, you can read about how Senator Clinton has "introducido proyectos legislativos". Yikes, introducir means insert rather than introduce legislation.

Governor Bill Richardson speaks Spanish fluently. Like a pro. But, the home page of the Spanish-language section of his Web site includes several amateurish grammatical errors. The most glaring mistake is "Bill Richardson está corriendo porque el próximo presidente ..."  In Spanish, unlike English, you cannot write a candidate is ´running´ for office. Yet, the writer opted for the literal translation of ´running´ as ´corriendo´. 

John Edwards´Web site features all of 174 words in Spanish. And the headline "El Mañana Comienza Hoy" strings four of them together in such a way as to defy comprehension. Unless, that is, you speak English and immediately recognize the phrase as another literal translation.

Senator Barack Obama´s campaign put out a press release stating six of its videos now feature Spanish-language subtitles. Well, the system didn´t work very well for me. The subtitles were confusingly out of sync with what was being said in the clip. Difficult to follow. Separately, the first line of text following "Bienvenido a BarackObama.com" is the grammatical train wreck "Esta campaña se trata de construir un tipo diferente de política y eso comienza contigo." That sentence is so poorly written that I don't know how to translate its sheer awfulness.

In sharp contrast, the reggaeton tune available on Amigosdeobama.com may well be the smartest bit of Hispanic marketing to date by any of the campaigns.  Catchy, even if you don´t care for the musical genre. However, I don´t understand why the transcription of the lyrics is completely lacking in accents for educacion, nacion and the frightfully misspelled imigracion.   

The only other sharp Hispanic marketing effort I´ve come across thus far is from the one Republican candidate with a Spanish-language section on his Web site. Craig Romney, son of Mitt, appears in a brief and simple video clip. Craig speaks in mildly-accented Spanish and describes his father as a man of faith and integrity. It is a straightforward and inviting pitch that might well resonate with socially conservative Hispanics. Oh, and the Web site manages to properly spell "inmigración" even if Romney´s immigration stance is not likely win over many Latino voters.

No candidate or company is obligated to provide information online in Spanish. And the writing does not have to warrant a Nobel Prize for Literature. However, it strikes me as common sense to avoid bush league grammatical mistakes if you are trying to woo Latino voters in Spanish.

This post is based on only a brief review of the Web sites of some but not all of the presidential candidates. I believe a longer and closer examination would reveal plenty more translation gaffes and poor writing.

Schwarzenegger - Turn Off Spanish-Language TV

FULL DISCLOSURE: I have been a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists off and on for more than a decade. I worked for two Spanish-language television networks for a total of seven and a half years.

Speaking at an event organized by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger reportedly

"drew gasps from some of the 700 people in the audience by suggesting that undocumented immigrants "have got to turn off the Spanish-language television" programs in order to learn English."

I thought one reaction cited in the LA Times article was particularly on target

"Cecilia Alvear, a former TV news producer, was only half kidding when she said, "What? And give up my telenovelas?"

The LAT failed to note some worthwhile background to the Governor's statement. Namely, Schwarzenegger gladly took large contributions from former Univision CEO, Chair and controlling shareholder A. Jerrold Perenchio.

Perhaps he shares conservative concerns about Univision´s new owners and the network´s citizenship and voter registration drives.

UPDATE:

The Modesto Bee provides additional background on the irony of the Governor's request to turn off Spanish-language television. The article highlights Schwarzenegger's Spanish-language Web site, Hispanic media outreach and provides additional details on the contributions of former Univision CEO A. Jerrold Perenchio's to the Governor.

 

Sandra Equihua Profile

LatinaVoz.com has now posted my profile of Sandra Equihua, the co-creator and co-executive producer of Nickelodeon's "El Tigre". Below is the story's lede graf. Jump here for the complete article.

"Sandra Equihua, the first Latina creator of a Saturday morning cartoon in the U.S., laughs hard and often. The 31-year-old still enjoys Disneyland. She draws atypical animated girl characters. Frida Suarez, her cartoon alter ego, sports a powder-blue coiffure, spiked bracelets and crimson goggles perched atop her head. She plays a sped-up cover of "La Cucaracha" on a guitar with skull-shaped pegs. Equihua has a wild imagination."