Glossary entry

Spanish term or phrase:

cadete

English translation:

Gofer

Added to glossary by Mara Campbell
Sep 27, 2006 02:42
17 yrs ago
9 viewers *
Spanish term

cadete

Spanish to English Bus/Financial Advertising / Public Relations
Does anyone know what this term would mean in an advertising context? Does it mean something like "intern" or "junior copy editor"?

Thank you in advance for any input.
Proposed translations (English)
5 Gofer
3 +2 apprentice
4 office junior
4 office assistant

Discussion

Henry Hinds Sep 27, 2006:
Where from plus more CONTEXT, please, it always helps a lot.

Proposed translations

23 hrs
Selected

Gofer

"Cadete" (at least in Argentina) is the (poor) guy/girl who does whatever needs to be done in an office and especially out of it. For example, he/she usually delivers or picks up envelopes, parcels, etc. to clients or other companies, pays bills, goes to the bank, picks up clients' payments, buys stuff; he/she might also have to run personal errands for the high bosses (from dry-cleaning to car-washing...) or even serving coffee or taking photocopies. (I know all this because this was my firs job some 15 years ago!!! :) The English term for this is "Gofer," derived from "go for," because the person "goes for" this and "goes for" that. The other suggestions given like assistant or junior sound rather formal to me and seem to denote some rank (though very low) and higher responsibility; they sound like desk jobs or "inside-the-office" jobs. A "cadete" generally spends more time on the street running errands than inside the office. Hope it helps!!
Note from asker:
Perhaps "Girl or Guy Friday" would be a good translation, although it sounds a bit dated.
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks for you feedback. It sound like a perfect fit for the context."
+2
6 mins

apprentice

HarperCollins Spanish Unabridged Dictionary offers the translation "appentice" and "office boy." The latter sounds a little too 1940s for a current translation. :-)

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Note added at 9 mins (2006-09-27 02:52:23 GMT)
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Obviously, "intern" is the more common term. I'm just not sure how close "cadete" is to this (whether cadetes tend to be students, whether they're paid a proper wage, etc.)
Peer comment(s):

agree Victoria Frazier
14 hrs
agree Manuel Rossetti (X) : My friends were journalism majors and apprentice was used.
15 hrs
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5 hrs

office junior

SALES OFFICE JUNIOR Applicants should be able to work as part of a team, have good communication skills and attention to details. ...
www.fish4.co.uk/ls/nwqtiblt/jobs/advert?adId=12385753&sid=8... - 22k

plus many more!!
Peer comment(s):

neutral Steven Capsuto : Since the translator is from the U.S., I assume the translation is for an American readership. Here, "junior" isn't generally used as a noun except in a school setting (=3rd year HS or college student).
10 hrs
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13 hrs

office assistant

In Uruguay, a "cadete" is a person who runs errands for a company (i.e., makes bank deposits, delivers letters, etc.) "Office boy" would be correct, but perhaps "office assistant" would be a more modern translation.
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