Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Portuguese term or phrase:
Cumprir Promessa
English translation:
To fulfil a vow (made to a saint)
Added to glossary by
Carla Selyer
Oct 3, 2008 14:26
15 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Portuguese term
Translator and English Teacher
Native in: Portuguese 
Works in: English to Portuguese, Portuguese to English, Spanish to Portuguese, and 1 more.
Cumprir Promessa
Portuguese to English
Social Sciences
Anthropology
Festas Populares no Brasil
I'm translating this Anthropologic article about the popular catholic feasts in Brazil, and there are a lot of moments when the author mentions the term "cumprir promessa" (como em "cumprir promessa a um santo"). I need some help with this term 'cause it appears a lot of times.
Thanks.
Ex:
"(...) muitos peregrinos cumprem promessas dolorosas, como acompanhar as procissões de joelhos."
Thanks.
Ex:
"(...) muitos peregrinos cumprem promessas dolorosas, como acompanhar as procissões de joelhos."
Proposed translations
(English)
| 5 +2 | To fulfil a vow (made to a saint) |
Carla Selyer
|
| 4 +1 | To fulfil a promise |
Maria José Tavares (X)
|
| 4 +1 | Keep a promise |
mmasur
|
| 3 +2 | perform devotions that can be quite painful |
Robert Forstag
|
| 4 | to take a pledge |
Marlene Curtis
|
| 4 | "doing penance" |
Tami Bogea (X)
|
Change log
Oct 17, 2008 05:33: Carla Selyer Created KOG entry
Proposed translations
+2
22 mins
Carla Selyer
Native in Portuguese
&
English
Portuguese, French & Spanish specialist
Native in: Portuguese , English
Works in: Portuguese to English, Spanish to English, English, and 2 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Selected
To fulfil a vow (made to a saint)
What happens is that in those times people would go to the church and pray and then promise the saint something in return for an answer to that prayer. For instance, going on an entire pilgrimage journey whilst on their knees, etc.
We may then confirm by a vow the promise made to a saint, and likewise we .... or because we may be unable to fulfil them (for failure to fulfil a vow is ...
www.newadvent.org/cathen/15511a.htm
Mar 2007 ... We may then confirm by a vow the promise made to a saint, .... we may be unable to fulfil them (for failure to fulfil a vow is sure to be ...
en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia
We may then confirm by a vow the promise made to a saint, and likewise we .... or because we may be unable to fulfil them (for failure to fulfil a vow is ...
www.newadvent.org/cathen/15511a.htm
Mar 2007 ... We may then confirm by a vow the promise made to a saint, .... we may be unable to fulfil them (for failure to fulfil a vow is sure to be ...
en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
+1
2 mins
To fulfil a promise
cumprir as suas promessas: to fulfil one's promises
Dicionário Porto Editora
Dicionário Porto Editora
+1
16 mins
Keep a promise
Thats how it´s said in the USA
+2
15 mins
Robert Forstag
United States
United States
Native in English
United States
Translating words, preserving meaning
Native in: English
Works in: Spanish to English, English
Portuguese term (edited):
cumprem promessas dolorosas
perform devotions that can be quite painful
The extra words are needed in English to make the phrase sound natural. In other contexts where it appears in your texts, "perform devotions" or "pay homage" might also work.
I don't think "fulfill a promise" works at all in the context of paying homage to a saint or participating in a religious procession.
Boa sorte.
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Note added at 39 mins (2008-10-03 15:05:33 GMT)
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Carla's suggestion of "fulfill a vow" will work in some contexts, but not in others (e.g., the example of "cumprir promessas dolorosas" that you give).
As I indicated in my original answer, I think you will have to use different translations for this phrase, depending on the specific context within which it appears.
I don't think "fulfill a promise" works at all in the context of paying homage to a saint or participating in a religious procession.
Boa sorte.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 39 mins (2008-10-03 15:05:33 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Carla's suggestion of "fulfill a vow" will work in some contexts, but not in others (e.g., the example of "cumprir promessas dolorosas" that you give).
As I indicated in my original answer, I think you will have to use different translations for this phrase, depending on the specific context within which it appears.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Amy Duncan (X)
2 mins
|
|
Obrigado, Amy.
|
|
| agree |
Alexandra Gouveia
2 hrs
|
|
Obrigado, Alexandra.
|
1 hr
Marlene Curtis
United States
United States
Native in Portuguese
&
English
United States
Marlene Curtis
Native in: Portuguese , English
Works in: English to Portuguese, Portuguese to English
Related KudoZ points
:
12
to take a pledge
Patron Saints Stories | Saint Matt Talbot | Catholic Saints Photo ... At the age of 28, Matt was finally able to make it through a day without alcohol . He then told his mother he was going "take the pledge" and stop drinking ...
www.saintsforsinners.com/saint-matt-talbot-medal-story.html - 5k -
www.saintsforsinners.com/saint-matt-talbot-medal-story.html - 5k -
6 hrs
"doing penance"
In a religious text, "cumprir promessa" would be in the sense of "pagar penitência", that is, to perform an act of contrition to reach absolution for one's sins. Thus, "doing penance" would be closer in meaning.
Example sentence:
In the feudal era "doing penance" often involved severe and/or public discipline, which could be both harsh and humiliating but was considered edifying.
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