when translating between english to spanish should you use tu or usted?

Question

I mean when the text is talking to an unspecified person or the reader. eg. 'every morning you get up put on your shoes.'

well yes i know the difference between tu and usted. I'm asking which to use in a professional translation when the writer is talking to an unspecified person or the reader.

Answer 1

I would be inclined to use the impersonal "se". ("cada mañana se levanta…" Otherwise, it would depend on the context. If you are translating a commercial marketing text, for example, there is a tendency to use tú because the author is trying to establish a kind of camaraderie with the readership. If it is a more formal text and you can't get away with using "se", then I would be inclined to use Usted. Of course, the country is important. In Spain nearly everyone you meet is tú and each Latin American country seems to have its own rules. In Colombia, for example, tú comes easily, but when you know someone really well you switch to Usted. (This isn't my finding, it's that of Gabriel García Marquez, who is in a position to know!)

Of course, if the context is one in which you are musing to yourself, you address yourself as tú!

Answer 2

here's how my El Salvadorian wife explained that one. If you know the person well enuff to talk to them on a private level you can use "tu". Usted is used for anyone that you would show respect for inclucing the general public or an enemy. I use usted with her after two years of divorce because we are friendly now but not friends(kids....) but if the translation is on a professional level I'd say always use "ud". And for strangers its always usted.

Answer 3

As a professional translator, you should be able to assess the tone of the original text. If it's formal use Usted, if it's personal use tu.

Answer 4

personally I use "tu" when I speak with friends and some family and "usted" to the unfamiliar, but at the same time it is a respect thing. I would never use "tu" when talking to my grandparents or parents even most aunts and uncles maybe it is just upbringing but I still have a little respect for my elders.

I think it is a different form that would be used roughly translated "cada manana (te) levantas (te) pones los zapatos"

Answer 5

since its an unspecified person or reader its better to use usted. its proper.

its also use to talk to someone you dont know or an adult. like to my grandma or my mom. not a close friend.

in colombia they use usted all the time and tu to the adults...

Answer 6

It depends on your audience and the kind of translation that you are doing. If you are translating something that is targeted to younger people, you could use tú. Otherwise, to be on the safe side, stick with usted.

I do see commercials that use tú instead of usted. So I think they have a specific audience in mind.

Answer 7

To translate what you said "Por la manana te llvantas y pones tus zapatos" if you wanted to be more formal or are speaking to an elder you should say "vuestro zapatos". "Usted" you would use under the same terms but like "Como esta usted senor?" for example or "Donde fue ustedes?" for plural. Hope this helps! Sorry I can't accent on this english keyboard but you will probably know which letters need to be.

Answer 8

It seems to have been well explained.
Interestingly when a mother is having a row with her children, she drops the "tu" and goes on to the formal use "usted"
The children know to flee !!!!!!!

Answer 9

Usted is for formal use, with people you don't know. tu is the familiar, used with friends and relatives.

Answer 10

usted can also be he she and tu formal like when youre talking to an older person so its formal, if youre talking to your mom you would say put on your shoes, usted, and tu is just normal informal