Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Spanish term or phrase:
escurridizas aproximaciones
English translation:
forever elusive prospect; \"close encounters\"; vague talks; tantalising glimpses
Added to glossary by
Mónica Algazi
Nov 26, 2013 11:28
10 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Spanish term
Uruguay
ATA-certified English-Spanish translator
Native in: Spanish (Variant: Latin American) 
Works in: English to Spanish
escurridizas aproximaciones
Spanish to English
Other
Journalism
Press report
El diario xxx (Editorial, página A15) publica una columna de opinión sobre el optimismo que las figuras del gobierno han tenido en torno a la búsqueda de petróleo y gas natural en el territorio nacional. El autor de la columna califica esa visión como “wishful thinking”, considerando que “desde 1908 los [people from country A] vivimos * escurridizas aproximaciones * al oro negro”. A continuación enumera las distintas oportunidades en las que se realizaron perforaciones o se afirmó haber encontrado yacimientos en el país, y en una última instancia, afirma, se iba a anunciar en enero o febrero de 2008 si [name of country A] “cuenta con petróleo o gas en su plataforma”, lo cual no fue seguido por ningún aviso.
TIA!
TIA!
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
+3
4 hrs
Pablo Julián Davis
Native in Spanish
&
English
La palabra justa/The right word
Native in: Spanish 
, English
Works in: Spanish to English, English to Spanish, Portuguese to Spanish, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
16
Selected
forever elusive (OR: always fleeting) prospect
I thought of 'hopes', but 'prospect' better conveys that connotation of 'aproximaciones' that has to do with actual (or apparent) possibility. Adjective 'elusive' or 'fleeting' meant to convey the sand-slipping-through-the-fingers of 'escurridizas'. Or ephemeral, or vanishing.
books.google.com/books?isbn=0719026628
R. W. Williams, S. Parker, C. Riordan. German Writers and the Cold War, 1945-61. "It was in 1965, when the 'Gruppe 47' met again in Berlin, that reconciliation finally became a serious, albeit fleeting, prospect for Richter. He later recalled the ..."
Geoffrey Perret - 1985 - Days of Sadness, Years of Triumph: The American People, 1939-1945. "... expression of contempt for Italy's entry into the war at the last moment to pick up a few crumbs held out a fleeting prospect that quickened interventionist hearts." books.google.com/books?isbn=0299103943
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Note added at 4 hrs (2013-11-26 15:54:43 GMT)
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"Peace: An Elusive Prospect In Afghanistan. By Lt. Col. Dave Simons Stationed with the International Security Assistance Force (the high ..." thespiritnewspaper.com/peace-an-elusive-prospect-in-afghanistan-p4914...
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Note added at 6 hrs (2013-11-26 17:50:02 GMT)
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Self-amendment, or at least another option: "...the endlessly fleeting prospect of oil strikes".
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Note added at 6 hrs (2013-11-26 17:52:29 GMT)
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¡Esto es una adicción! Alguien sujéteme las manos para dejar de darle más vueltas. "...the endlessly elusive prospect of oil strikes".
books.google.com/books?isbn=0719026628
R. W. Williams, S. Parker, C. Riordan. German Writers and the Cold War, 1945-61. "It was in 1965, when the 'Gruppe 47' met again in Berlin, that reconciliation finally became a serious, albeit fleeting, prospect for Richter. He later recalled the ..."
Geoffrey Perret - 1985 - Days of Sadness, Years of Triumph: The American People, 1939-1945. "... expression of contempt for Italy's entry into the war at the last moment to pick up a few crumbs held out a fleeting prospect that quickened interventionist hearts." books.google.com/books?isbn=0299103943
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Note added at 4 hrs (2013-11-26 15:54:43 GMT)
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"Peace: An Elusive Prospect In Afghanistan. By Lt. Col. Dave Simons Stationed with the International Security Assistance Force (the high ..." thespiritnewspaper.com/peace-an-elusive-prospect-in-afghanistan-p4914...
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Note added at 6 hrs (2013-11-26 17:50:02 GMT)
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Self-amendment, or at least another option: "...the endlessly fleeting prospect of oil strikes".
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Note added at 6 hrs (2013-11-26 17:52:29 GMT)
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¡Esto es una adicción! Alguien sujéteme las manos para dejar de darle más vueltas. "...the endlessly elusive prospect of oil strikes".
Example sentence:
Endlessly since 1908, our country has experienced the always fleeting prospect of oil strikes.
Since 1908, our country has experienced the endlessly-repeated, forever elusive prospect of oil strikes.
Note from asker:
| Muchas gracias, Pablo Julián. |
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Aunque todos los aportes fueron muy valiosos, este parece ser el más apropiado para este contexto específico. ¡Gracias!"
17 mins
close encounters
Una propuesta, especialmente si va entre comillas.
Note from asker:
| ¡Buenísimo! Muchas gracias, Pat. |
27 mins
Carol Gullidge
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
Works in field
United Kingdom
poetically precise prose with... panache
Native in: English
Works in: French to English, Spanish to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
48
unsubstantiated/vague talk of / unfounded/vague allusions to
Monica, if you can't make sense of this, then who can? :))
But I'll hazard a guess anyway, if only to get the ball rolling. It sounds as though there's been vague talk for donkeys' years of this so-called black gold, but nothing has ever come of it, and they aren't going to start holding their breath now either!
(or something along those lines)
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Note added at 29 mins (2013-11-26 11:57:59 GMT)
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Oops - just seen patinba's answer, and realise mine could be wildly off the mark!
But I'll hazard a guess anyway, if only to get the ball rolling. It sounds as though there's been vague talk for donkeys' years of this so-called black gold, but nothing has ever come of it, and they aren't going to start holding their breath now either!
(or something along those lines)
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Note added at 29 mins (2013-11-26 11:57:59 GMT)
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Oops - just seen patinba's answer, and realise mine could be wildly off the mark!
Note from asker:
| It is not! Gracias y un abrazo, Carol. |
45 mins
tantalising glimpses
I must say I like Pat's idea, but here's another to give you more choice. It's a common set phrase, often used with something greatly desired that seems to be within reach but is not quite attained, which it really what this is saying, I think.
Note from asker:
| Muchas gracias, Charles. |
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