6. Lost in Translation

This is one of the questions of the more random variety. Which word do you use to convey love for God, or for that matter, love from God, in Spanish?

Gustar conveys like, but above that, conveys that which is pleasing to someone. For example, "A ella, le gusta helado." translates as "To her, ice cream is pleasing."

Amar, most commonly translates to love. "La madre les ama a sus hijos." translates as "The mother loves her sons, or, her children."

Querer expresses want and desire in the context of love. "El chico la quiere." = "The boy wanted her."*

Encantar: to be enchanted with--My favorite in this context. "Ella le encanta Dios." "She is enchanted with God." This one almost necessitates the definition of "enchanted" in English also. enchant(v): "To attract; to delight; to entrance"

*Although each has its own connotation, and may not practically be translated as I see them here (for instance, "querer" often has a connotation of lust) they all, at least in my understanding of their translation, show a very different characteristic of our relationship with God that brings a fullness to that relationship not as clearly illustrated with our one word.

Reminder to self: Use them all, frequently.

It keeps coming back to me also that there are nine words for "worship" in Hebrew, and only one in our English-translated Bibles. No wonder how services often lack the depth of those at the synagogue.

How can we, how can I, reclaim what is lost in translation?



G&P!