Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Spanish term or phrase:
test de la madre
English translation:
novice test / mom test
Added to glossary by
Charles Davis
Feb 14, 2017 01:41
7 yrs ago
3 viewers *
Spanish term
\"test de la madre\"
Spanish to English
Marketing
Marketing / Market Research
Online content
I'm fairly sure I can't get away with a literal translation of this unreconstructed term, even if it did exist in English, which it doesn't appear to.
The context is talking about online payment methods and usability.
"Es lo que se conoce con el nombre del “test de la madre”: si mi madre es capaz de usarlo tendrá más posibilidades de convertirse en un medio de pago fácilmente adoptable por los usuarios, lo que facilitará su difusión."
I found some sites referring to the same idea as "the grandma test" (hey, both ageist and sexist!), but I wonder if anyone knows of a more PC version.
Or perhaps it's simply that marketing experts couldn't care less about being un-PC "within the trade" as it were.
Thanks in advance!
The context is talking about online payment methods and usability.
"Es lo que se conoce con el nombre del “test de la madre”: si mi madre es capaz de usarlo tendrá más posibilidades de convertirse en un medio de pago fácilmente adoptable por los usuarios, lo que facilitará su difusión."
I found some sites referring to the same idea as "the grandma test" (hey, both ageist and sexist!), but I wonder if anyone knows of a more PC version.
Or perhaps it's simply that marketing experts couldn't care less about being un-PC "within the trade" as it were.
Thanks in advance!
Proposed translations
(English)
Change log
Feb 25, 2017 14:30: Charles Davis Created KOG entry
Proposed translations
+2
18 hrs
Selected
novice test
For the rest of the sentence to work you've got to replace mother with another type of user, and it's got to be a type of person who would actually use the service, so not children. But making it women, old people or even stupid people is inevitably going to be denigrating to some class of person.
But "novice" might get round the difficulty. Being a novice in using a computer isn't taken as reflecting poorly on your intellectual acuity; in fact for some people it's a badge of honour. It is a bit "descafeinado", but that's the trouble with trying not to offend anybody. And now that you tell us it's for a university text book, I think it would be rather crass to lapse into disciminatory stereotypes, whatever one thinks about so-called "PC" language.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 19 hrs (2017-02-14 21:40:08 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Hi Robert. I see your point about "lo que se conoce con el nombre de", which clearly requires an established expression like "mom test". If the client agrees to make it "novice test", or indeed any other alternative, I think you'd just cut that bit and say "It's the 'X test'", rather than "It's what's known as the 'X test'". It would really matter, in my opinion.
But "novice" might get round the difficulty. Being a novice in using a computer isn't taken as reflecting poorly on your intellectual acuity; in fact for some people it's a badge of honour. It is a bit "descafeinado", but that's the trouble with trying not to offend anybody. And now that you tell us it's for a university text book, I think it would be rather crass to lapse into disciminatory stereotypes, whatever one thinks about so-called "PC" language.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 19 hrs (2017-02-14 21:40:08 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Hi Robert. I see your point about "lo que se conoce con el nombre de", which clearly requires an established expression like "mom test". If the client agrees to make it "novice test", or indeed any other alternative, I think you'd just cut that bit and say "It's the 'X test'", rather than "It's what's known as the 'X test'". It would really matter, in my opinion.
Note from asker:
Hi, Charles. Yes, this is a really good option, and the reasons you mention are why I originally favoured Phil's idea of "basic computer literacy". "Novice" is clearly more succinct, and I'm sure Phil wouldn't object to that! The only problem I have now is that "mom test" actually appears to be a "thing" in this field, so now I'm a little unsure what to do about it, particularly as the source text reads "Es lo que se conoce con el nombre del “test de la madre”". |
Peer comment(s):
agree |
Nedra Rivera Huntington
: Didn't notice this early. I like it!
22 mins
|
Thanks a lot, Nedra :)
|
|
agree |
JohnMcDove
: When we get to remember our distant past, few centuries ago, or so, we'll realize how old some babies are... ;-) // No, no, no, no. Sorry, I beg to differ, that would be VERY offensive to all the people named "Charles" with an IQ above 200. ;-))
1 day 6 hrs
|
They could call it the Charles test; that would work well :-)
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "I think this is the most helpful translation for future reference, even though "mom test" is strictly the correct term. Thanks again, Charles, and to everyone else for all the useful info and input!"
1 hr
"... for dummies"
One fairly common option showing it is appropriate for even the most inexperienced...
I hope your context allows usage of this option.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2017-02-14 03:23:26 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
One advantage is that it is not sexist nor ageist.
I hope your context allows usage of this option.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2017-02-14 03:23:26 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
One advantage is that it is not sexist nor ageist.
+3
5 hrs
granny-proof
I know most of you will discard this as not PC, but I personally find the restrictions in that direction are verging on the ridiculous.
Peer comment(s):
agree |
neilmac
: Yes. I can just imagine phil's Rip van Winkle suggestion being decried as offensive to narcolepsy sufferers....
1 hr
|
Thanks, Neil.
|
|
neutral |
philgoddard
: They're not ridiculous, and nor are they restrictions. It's showing basic respect for other people.
8 hrs
|
OK, but I for one probably fall into the "granny-proof" category and I don't see anything objectionable about it.
|
|
agree |
Marie Wilson
: Or granny-friendly
12 hrs
|
Yes, that's definitely a more positive version!
|
|
agree |
JohnMcDove
: Grannies of yesteryear may be now babies or 5 year old kids (I am referring to my mom, who departed her old body 5 years ago...) knowing nothing cyber-wise. Now she may be showing great skill with an iPad... But I am getting too philosophic here. :-)
1 day 19 hrs
|
Thanks, John. With a willing mind and a patient teacher.....
|
5 hrs
idiot test
Only offensive to idiots!
Hope this helps.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 18 hrs (2017-02-14 20:40:54 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
or "mom test / mum test" as discussed above
Hope this helps.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 18 hrs (2017-02-14 20:40:54 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
or "mom test / mum test" as discussed above
2 days 1 hr
usual useless/hopeless people test / the cybernetic illiterate test
If your average cybernetic illiterate Joe can do it, then you can do it...
If an illiterate Spaniard like me can figure it out, then anyone can.
My two bytes!
How was the saying?
You can not teach an old mouse new clicks? (Or words to that effect... ;-)
Aha! The "old mouse test"... Sorry, scratch that one, it will be very offensive to mice!
If an illiterate Spaniard like me can figure it out, then anyone can.
My two bytes!
How was the saying?
You can not teach an old mouse new clicks? (Or words to that effect... ;-)
Aha! The "old mouse test"... Sorry, scratch that one, it will be very offensive to mice!
Discussion
Robert, as proz frowns on offering two answers, I've just added a note to my original. Happy to help, however unhelpful it may ultimately be!
"It's time to retire the mom test
[...]
You're probably familiar with the phrase "the mom test," which is quick shorthand for "the most clueless computer user we can find." When being bandied about by a mostly male crowd, and a smattering of pre-motherhood female IT professionals, it's easy for this sort of condescension to pass unnoticed -- but it's not unnoticed by the mothers who have a clue and who deserve just as much credit as the father geeks in the crowd."
https://www.linux.com/news/its-time-retire-mom-test
mom test: a test of the user-friendliness of a computer device or software based on the extent to which a user's mother is able to use it
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/mom-tes...
So, there you go. I'll probably go with that, as it does seem to be correct translation for it, PC considerations aside. If you'd like to post it, go ahead!
Cloud timesheet - so easy a child can do it
Timesheet entry should be easy, but time and again people tell us that their current system is cumbersome, slow, or that users just don't like using it.
Our cloud timesheet is so fast and easy to use, on a "bring your child to work day", we thought we'd prove it to you.
http://www.time-and-space.com/cloud-timesheet-so-easy-a-chil...
Now, how about a posting?
Or, less colourfully, "the basic computer literacy test".
If it's for public consumption, I'm a strong advocate of censorship. This is sexist and ageist, and you wouldn't use it in (say) an advertisement.
But if it's something like an internal memo, I would translate it literally, and put a translator's note saying this is not acceptable in an English-speaking culture.