cobas

English translation: coas [indigenous digging sticks resembling long-handled narrow spades]

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:cobas
English translation:coas [indigenous digging sticks resembling long-handled narrow spades]
Entered by: Taña Dalglish

21:51 Apr 24, 2015
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Science - Forestry / Wood / Timber / agro-forestry and tools for cocoa production (Nicaragua)
Spanish term or phrase: cobas
Dear colleagues:

I will be posting a few terms which are driving me "potty", but I will post them separately (cobas, and cedazo para zarandas). I am not sure that "cobas" is correct, and I have tried variations, but nothing.
This report relates to Nicaragua.

 Los comité de compras se realizó comprar Herramientas: equipos, materiales e insumos para el vivero: 1 computadora portátil Marca Hp, una impresora Multifuncional modelo Seiko EPSON, Compra de Regadoras, **Compra de Cobas**, Compra de Azadones, Compra de Palas, Compra de cedazo para zarandas, Compra de bolsas de polietileno para vivero de cacao, compra de machetes, Compra de limas Compra de tijeras podar, Compra de Cierras (sic) de podar. * I assume what is meant is "sierras".

 Insumos para los Sistemas Agroforestales: traslados de plantas maderables de Cedro Real, Caoba, Cedro Macho, Quebracho, guapinol, acacia, cortes.

I will post "cedazo para zarandas" separately.

Thank you all so much for your invaluable assistance.

Taña
Taña Dalglish
Jamaica
Local time: 21:25
hoes
Explanation:
Diccionario de americanismos to the rescue again. Under "coba" we find:

"III. (Epént. de coa).
1. f. Gu, Ni. coa, instrumento de labranza."

A coa is a kind of indigenous hoe:

"La coa es un tipo de azada en forma de palo aguzado o pala estrecha plana y afilada, empleada por pueblos indígenas de la América prehispánica."
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coa

It's given as meaning "hoe" in Mexico in the Oxford Superlex.

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Note added at 1 hr (2015-04-24 23:04:58 GMT)
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Well, in the pictures I've found, like Helena's, it does look more like a narrow spade than a hoe (here's another: http://www.comercialdealuminio.com/producto.php?subcategoria... ). I think the thing is that "narrow spade" is a visual description whereas "hoe" is a functional description: it's used like a hoe rather than like a spade:

"Coa: Agricultural implement often used in place of a hoe for tilling."
https://books.google.es/books?id=ASXXbZXRxbwC&pg=PA190&lpg=P...

And I think this is why the Wikipedia article refers to it as "un tipo de azada".

Here's another suggestion, which might avoid the problem (and fit's the DRAE definition as a "palo":

"The digging stick (coa) and hoe were the agricultural implements used by the Puebloans"
https://www.google.es/search?num=100&q="coa" agricultural im...

I don't think pickaxe is quite right. "Digging stick" seems quite good to me: accurate as to form and function and avoids both spade and hoex. Probably your suggestion of putting "coas" followed by an explanation is the way to go, and maybe you could call them "indigenous digging sticks", or just "digging sticks".

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Note added at 1 hr (2015-04-24 23:06:23 GMT)
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(Sorry: fits, not fit's! And hoe, not hoex.)

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Note added at 1 hr (2015-04-24 23:06:48 GMT)
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Sorry again: I see you weren't suggesting pickaxe for this.
Selected response from:

Charles Davis
Spain
Local time: 03:25
Grading comment
Thanks Charles. I chose to use "coas" along with a TN.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +2hoes
Charles Davis
3diggers
jude dabo
Summary of reference entries provided
Cobas
Chris Maddux
A photo of a 'coba'
Helena Chavarria

  

Answers


25 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
hoes


Explanation:
Diccionario de americanismos to the rescue again. Under "coba" we find:

"III. (Epént. de coa).
1. f. Gu, Ni. coa, instrumento de labranza."

A coa is a kind of indigenous hoe:

"La coa es un tipo de azada en forma de palo aguzado o pala estrecha plana y afilada, empleada por pueblos indígenas de la América prehispánica."
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coa

It's given as meaning "hoe" in Mexico in the Oxford Superlex.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2015-04-24 23:04:58 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Well, in the pictures I've found, like Helena's, it does look more like a narrow spade than a hoe (here's another: http://www.comercialdealuminio.com/producto.php?subcategoria... ). I think the thing is that "narrow spade" is a visual description whereas "hoe" is a functional description: it's used like a hoe rather than like a spade:

"Coa: Agricultural implement often used in place of a hoe for tilling."
https://books.google.es/books?id=ASXXbZXRxbwC&pg=PA190&lpg=P...

And I think this is why the Wikipedia article refers to it as "un tipo de azada".

Here's another suggestion, which might avoid the problem (and fit's the DRAE definition as a "palo":

"The digging stick (coa) and hoe were the agricultural implements used by the Puebloans"
https://www.google.es/search?num=100&q="coa" agricultural im...

I don't think pickaxe is quite right. "Digging stick" seems quite good to me: accurate as to form and function and avoids both spade and hoex. Probably your suggestion of putting "coas" followed by an explanation is the way to go, and maybe you could call them "indigenous digging sticks", or just "digging sticks".

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2015-04-24 23:06:23 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

(Sorry: fits, not fit's! And hoe, not hoex.)

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2015-04-24 23:06:48 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Sorry again: I see you weren't suggesting pickaxe for this.

Charles Davis
Spain
Local time: 03:25
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 40
Grading comment
Thanks Charles. I chose to use "coas" along with a TN.
Notes to answerer
Asker: Charles: Once again, thank you so much for your insight. You have saved my hide. What I am unclear about is that I also have "azadones" which are "large pickaes or hoes", so I am wondering whether I should go with "coas" and then provide an explanation, i.e. "coas (indigenous-type hoes/long-handled narrow spades (Helena). What do you think? Again, many thanks and besos!

Asker: Oops! "pickaxes".

Asker: My confusion. When I mentioned "pickaxes" or large hoes, I was referring to "azadones". I will work something for "coas", but I am inclined to use a translator's note adding a short description. Un abrazo and yet again, thanks so much.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Patricia Fierro, M. Sc.
32 mins
  -> Thanks, Patricia :)

agree  neilmac: Looks like a Dutch hoe without the gap.
9 hrs
  -> True enough. Cheers, Neil ;)
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13 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
diggers


Explanation:
another option

jude dabo
Local time: 02:25
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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Reference comments


29 mins
Reference: Cobas

Reference information:
I have found info on it being a town or city,

http://www.minube.com/que_ver/espana/la_coruna/cobas

http://martingarcia98.tripod.com/

and a testing device for HPV

http://www.cibic.com.ar/pacientes/incorporacion-de-ultima-te...

but this last one I have found might possibly be what you are looking for now that I have seen this...

Like a tent for expeditions.

En Marruecos, tienda de campaña que usa el sultán en sus expediciones.

http://es.thefreedictionary.com/cobas

Hope this helps a little.

Chris Maddux
United States
Native speaker of: English
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15 mins peer agreement (net): +1
Reference: A photo of a 'coba'

Reference information:
http://ferreteriajenny.com/herramientas-agricolas/369-coba-2...

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Note added at 18 mins (2015-04-24 22:10:44 GMT)
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It also seems to be called a 'coa'.

http://www.comercialdealuminio.com/producto.php?subcategoria...

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Note added at 28 mins (2015-04-24 22:20:03 GMT)
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coa
1 (Centroamérica) (Caribe) (México) (Agr) (para cavar) long-handled narrow spade; (para sembrar) pointed stick for sowing seed

http://www.spanishdict.com/translate/coa

La coa es un tipo de azada en forma de palo aguzado o pala estrecha plana y afilada, empleada por pueblos indígenas de la América prehispánica. El término es de origen taíno, y su uso pasó a otras regiones de América desde las Antillas, a través de los conquistadores españoles. Su empleo es significativo en varias regiones rurales de México y Centroamérica.

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coa

2. f. Cuba, Hond., Méx. y Pan. Especie de palo usado para la labranza.

http://buscon.rae.es/drae/srv/search?val=coa

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Note added at 48 mins (2015-04-24 22:40:22 GMT)
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I think a 'coa' is a long-handled narrow spade, tile spade or drain spade. All the hoes I've seen are fixed to the handle at an angle, whereas 'coas' are straight.

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Note added at 51 mins (2015-04-24 22:43:08 GMT)
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https://www.truper.com/CatVigente/160.php



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Note added at 11 hrs (2015-04-25 09:00:18 GMT)
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In my opinion it looks more like a chisel, but I can't find any references for 'chisel spade'.

Coa

Barreton forjado en una sola pieza en acero de alto carbono
Resistente a la torsión, flexión, tracción e impacto
Siendo una Herramienta muy util en el sector agricola para sembrar, cavar, hoyar, y podar.
También es excelente en la construcción para romper y levantar pisos.

http://supermallas.com/?page_id=1603

Helena Chavarria
Spain
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12
Note to reference poster
Asker: Thank Helena. I am so grateful. Why couldn't I find this? LOL! A million thanks. Besos.

Asker: Thanks again Helena. Post it as an answer! "long-handled narrow spade". I believe I may also add the word "coas". Bless you. Un abrazo.


Peer comments on this reference comment (and responses from the reference poster)
agree  Charles Davis: As so often happens, we were at it simultaneously :)
49 mins
  -> Thank you, Charles :)
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