← Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice — Page 6

English → Spanish Preface Level 7/10

The characteristics of Miss Austen's humour are so subtle and delicate that they are, perhaps, at all times easier to apprehend than to express, and at any particular time likely to be differently apprehended by different persons.

Las características del humor de la señorita Austen son tan sutiles y delicadas que resultan, quizás, en todo momento más fáciles de percibir que de expresar, y en cualquier momento dado es probable que sean percibidas de manera diferente por distintas personas.

To me this humour seems to possess a greater affinity, on the whole, to that of Addison than to any other of the numerous species of this great British genus.

Para mí, este humor parece poseer una mayor afinidad, en términos generales, con el de Addison que con cualquier otra de las numerosas especies de este gran género británico.

The differences of scheme, of time, of subject, of literary convention, are, of course, obvious enough; the difference of sex does not, perhaps, count for much, for there was a distinctly feminine element in "Mr. Spectator," and in Jane Austen's genius there was, though nothing mannish, much that was masculine.

Las diferencias de esquema, de época, de tema, de convención literaria son, por supuesto, lo suficientemente evidentes; la diferencia de sexo no cuenta, quizás, demasiado, pues había un elemento decididamente femenino en «Mr. Spectator», y en el genio de Jane Austen había, aunque nada hombruno, mucho que era masculino.

But the likeness of quality consists in a great number of common subdivisions of quality--demureness, extreme minuteness of touch, avoidance of loud tones and glaring effects.

Pero la similitud de calidad consiste en un gran número de subdivisiones comunes de esa calidad: la compostura, la extrema minuciosidad del toque, la evitación de los tonos estridentes y los efectos llamativos.

Also there is in both a certain not inhuman or unamiable cruelty.

También hay en ambos una cierta crueldad que no es inhumana ni desagradable.

It is the custom with those who judge grossly to contrast the good nature of Addison with the savagery of Swift, the mildness of Miss Austen with the boisterousness of Fielding and Smollett, even with the ferocious practical jokes that her immediate predecessor, Miss Burney, allowed without very much protest.

Es costumbre entre quienes juzgan de manera superficial contrastar la bondad de Addison con la ferocidad de Swift, la suavidad de la señorita Austen con la estridencia de Fielding y Smollett, e incluso con las feroces bromas pesadas que su inmediata predecesora, la señorita Burney, toleraba sin demasiada protesta.

Yet, both in Mr. Addison and in Miss Austen there is, though a restrained and well-mannered, an insatiable and ruthless delight in roasting and cutting up a fool.

Sin embargo, tanto en el señor Addison como en la señorita Austen existe, aunque contenido y bien educado, un deleite insaciable y despiadado en asar y despedazar a un necio.

Vocabulary

características
Characteristics, distinctive features or qualities
humor
Humor, wit, mood, or temperament
señorita
Miss, young lady (unmarried woman)
tan
So, such, as (adverb of degree)
sutiles
Subtle, delicate, refined, or ingenious
delicadas
Delicate, tender, sensitive, or fragile
resultan
Result, turn out, or prove to be
quizás
Perhaps, maybe, possibly
todo
Everything, all, whole (adjective or pronoun)
momento
Moment, instant, or point in time
fáciles
Easy, simple, uncomplicated
percibir
To perceive, notice, or become aware of
expresar
To express, state, or communicate
cualquier
Any, whichever, no matter which
dado
Given, certain, or dice (noun)
probable
Probable, likely, or probable
percibidas
Perceived, noticed (feminine plural past participle)
manera
Manner, way, or mode
diferente
Different, dissimilar, or distinct
distintas
Distinct, different, separate (feminine plural)
personas
People, persons, individuals
este
This, this one (demonstrative pronoun)
parece
Seems, appears, looks like
poseer
To possess, own, or have
mayor
Greater, larger, major, or older
afinidad
Affinity, kinship, or similarity
términos
Terms, words, or expressions
generales
General, overall, or universal
otra
Other, another (feminine singular)
numerosas
Numerous, many, abundant (feminine plural)
especies
Species, types, or kinds
gran
Great, large, big
género
Genre, gender, or kind
británico
British, of or relating to Britain
diferencias
Differences, distinctions, or variations
esquema
Scheme, outline, or framework
época
Epoch, era, or period
tema
Theme, subject, or topic
convención
Convention, agreement, or accepted practice
literaria
Literary, relating to literature (feminine)
supuesto
Supposed, assumed, or alleged
suficientemente
Sufficiently, enough, adequately
evidentes
Evident, clear, obvious, or apparent
diferencia
Difference, distinction, or variation
sexo
Sex, gender, or biological category
cuenta
Counts, matters, or account
demasiado
Too much, too, excessively
pues
Well, since, then, for
elemento
Element, component, or ingredient
decididamente
Decidedly, definitely, certainly
femenino
Feminine, womanly, or of women
genio
Genius, talent, or spirit
aunque
Although, even though, despite
nada
Nothing, anything (negation pronoun)
← Previous Next →

Unlock audio playback, vocabulary games, and reading progress tracking.

Create free account →