Did you know that two of the most popular languages for commentating on soccer (or football) are English and Spanish? And did you know that the difference between Spanish and English commentary lies in more than just the language? “Spanish commentary” or “Latino style commentary” has a few features that make it completely distinct from soccer commentary in any other language – especially English. Read on to see why Spanish and English commentary are so vastly incomparable.
1. The Spanish Style
Unless you’re a soccer (or football) fan, you might think that commentating is the same no matter what language it’s done in. This isn’t the case, though. “Spanish commentary” or the “Latino style” commentary is in a category all its own. There are a few factors that make Spanish commentary special: the emotion expressed, the kinds of details given, and the poetic language used. To begin with, the most obvious feature of ‘Latino style’ commentary is how much passion is shared by the commentator. Latin commentators aren’t shy about showing excitement, sadness and happiness in their commentary. Meanwhile, English commentators are far more measured in the emotion they show. They speak quietly in something closer to a monotone, making sure their commentary enhances, but does not compete with, the action on field. For Spanish style commentators, their words are full of elation or sorrow, ecstasy or agitation, and their voices range in volume with their excitement. Their commentary is a performance in and of itself. Where a Latin commentator will shout the iconic ‘GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL’ when a team scores, an English commentator will more often simply state that somebody has scored. (As a sidenote, this kind of call was supposedly invented in Brazil in the 1940’s by radio announcer Rebello Junior. Telemundo announcer Andrés Cantor is today’s most famous ‘goal’ caller.)
2. The Passion for the Game
A second factor that would make Spanish interpreting of English commentary or English interpreting of Spanish commentary is the kinds of details provided. Commentators in Spanish will narrate what the players are doing, play by play. This stems from a Latin love of the game itself. People love soccer, as fans and as players themselves. They’re born with soccer as an integral part of their lives, playing and watching from young age. Meanwhile, English and American players will give less detail about what’s going on within the field and use some of their time to tell the back stories of the players, teams, and management. If localization services were used to enhance interpreting services between the two kinds of commentary, you’d have to keep in mind that this difference stems from a perspective on soccer that’s more focused on the politics of the game—who is who, who gets traded, drafted, etc.
3. The Words Tell a Story
The last difference between English and Spanish Soccer commentating is the lyrical, poetic nature of Spanish commentary. Interpreting between the Spanish commentary and English commentary is difficult because the language isn’t just about giving information, it’s about sounding beautiful and passionate in and of itself. Sometimes the Spanish commentator is just as famous as the players or teams. He is celebrated for his ability to spin lavish tales about the game. As mentioned above, Andrés Cantor is one example of a talented, beloved provider of Soccer commentary in the Latin style.
Even with these major differences between Spanish and English soccer commentary, there’s still common ground. The simultaneous interpreting at the FIFA World Cup will find it for us.
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