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Nominal vivo
liquidaciones positivas / negativas
Apr 19, 2010 11:48
14 yrs ago
5 viewers *
Spanish term

Excelentísimos y muy honorables Srs

Spanish to English Other General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters letter
At the start of a letter applying for a diplomatic type job.
Any ideas?

Excelentísimos y muy honorables Srs

Many thanks
Proposed translations (English)
2 +6 Dear Sirs // Dear Ladies and Gentlemen
4 +2 Dear Sir or Madam / Dear Sirs and Mesdames
4 -1 Your Excellencies and honourable Ladies and Gentlemen

Proposed translations

+6
4 mins
Selected

Dear Sirs // Dear Ladies and Gentlemen

Alternatively: Dear Honorable Sirs // Dear Honorable Ladies and Gentlemen


In general, I don't think further qualifiers are needed (or that they would be particularly idiomatic) in English.

Suerte.
Peer comment(s):
agree Carol Gullidge : yes, we don't really go in for flowery greetings and salutations, no matter to whom they are addressed
2 mins
Exactly. Something to keep in mind when translating from Spanish to English. Another simple alternative here would be simply "Dear Sir or Madam" (if a woman is or might be the recipient). Thank you, Carol.
agree Jenni Lukac (X) : I vote for simplicity but would add any specific titles if the letter is sent to particular individuals.
3 mins
I would agree. From the context here, though, it seems that the letter is being sent to a group of persons. Thank you, Jenni.
agree Evans (X)
1 hr
Thank you, Gilla.
agree Ruth Ramsey : Dear Sirs.
2 hrs
Thank you, Ruth.
agree Carolina Brito
4 hrs
Thank you, Britos.
neutral philgoddard : "Dear Sirs" is sexist, and I don't think you'd ever start a letter "Dear Ladies and Gentlemen". I actually disagree, but I'm being polite because it's you!
4 hrs
I admire your restraint! Seriously, "Dear Sirs" would only be appropriate if the letter was going only to men. I really think the best solution would be "Dear Sir or Madam", as I indicated in my response to Carol 2 minutes after posting my suggestion. :)
agree Neo76 : I would go for this one
11 hrs
Thank you, Neo.
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "thanks"
+2
26 mins

Dear Sir or Madam / Dear Sirs and Mesdames

Since it is one person who will read the letter and you don't know their gender.

Since it is to a highly educated addressee, "Mesdames" wouldn't be a problem..

But the second option is rather too "rebuscado" (flowery) and again, as just one person will read it, I would go for the first option.
Peer comment(s):
agree cebice : Simply Dear Sirs/Mesdames
3 hrs
Thank you cebice.
agree philgoddard : I agree with your first option, but "Dear Sirs and Mesdames" simply is not used these days - it's very antiquated.
4 hrs
Thanks philgoddard. Ditto the Spanish.
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-1
2 hrs

Your Excellencies and honourable Ladies and Gentlemen

sugg
Peer comment(s):
disagree philgoddard : As Carol points out above, English wouldn't use a flowery greeting like this in a job application.
2 hrs
´Dear Sir or Madam is very wrong Mr philgoddard!!!A diplomatic letter entails a diplomatic protocol=your excellency or hourable as the case may be
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