Translations

[Richard Ferguson]

When I was on Camino, I was alone, so was only asked to translate once or twice by a hospitalera.  I hung out with Spaniards, so I was immersed in Spanish.

However, I have made climbing trips in South America where I was the only fluent Spanish speaker in the group.  That put me out in front in terms of making arrangements, negotiating, etc.  That got a little stressful, even though I was not "translating" as much as just being out front all the time.

When I travel with my spouse, I am similarly making the arrangments all the time, although she speaks some Spanish.  It is less of a burden there, I translate a few things for her,  but she does not expect me to be a translator for extended philosophical discussions.  ;-)

Anyway, I have sympathy for Rosina having to translate for family members.  It just makes the trip a little more work.  Perhaps the more serious problem is that Rosina would prefer to walk (and perhaps travel) alone, and now she is traveling with others who are more or less dependent on her.

As far as Gallego is concerned, I remember a couple of times when I asked a question in Spanish and got an answer in Gallego.  I think I understood one answer and not the other.

Richard