From the Chair of our department whose native language is Spanish.

> Hojas is the word to use because is the meaning for the English words 
> sheets. I would use pliegos for large sheets such as the gift wrapping 
> sheets. 
Sammye

ILPI wrote:
> We are distributors of bilingual MSDS binders (among other products). 
> The front of the binders say MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS in English, 
> and PLIEGOS DE DATOS SOBRE SEGURIDAD DE MATERIALES in Spanish.
>
> A Spanish-speaking (potential) client called today and said he did not 
> recognize the word "Pliegos" which, from a web search, I determined is 
> a valid Spanish term for "sheets".   He seemed concerned that his 
> hundreds of Spanish-speaking employees (they are a farming company) 
> wouldn't understand it either.  The word "hojas" might be a better match.
>
> Not to rely on foreign translation on the web, but a search on the 
> exact term PLIEGO DE DATOS SOBRE SEGURIDAD DE MATERIALES returns only 
> one match at Google whereas the same term with HOJA substituted for 
> PLIEGO returns 706.
>
> I've already sent an inquiry to the manufacturer.  I've also asked the 
> client to run the word pliegos by some of his employees.
>
> My question for the list is this - are there any native Spanish 
> speakers here who can comment on the nuances of "hojas" versus 
> "pliegos" and whether or not the latter term is likely to be 
> recognized correctly by non-professionals who read/speak (Mexican 
> dialects of) Spanish.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Rob Toreki

-- 

***************************************************************************************

The Washington Post's Style Invitational asked readers to take any word 
from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one 
letter, and supply a new definition. One of the winners this year:

Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright 
ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer,_ _unfortunately, shows little 
sign of breaking down in the near future.__

 

Samuella B. Sigmann

Lecturer/Safety Committee Chair

A. R. Smith Department of Chemistry

Appalachian State University

525 Rivers Street

Boone, NC   28608

Phone: 828 262 2755

Fax: 828 262 6558

Email: sigmannsb**At_Symbol_Here**appstate.edu 

 

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