Looking for help with a Spanish idiom for a character from Barcelona

[A.C.]

Hello,

I'm trying to find a simple, but compelling Spanish idiom that conveys admiration for one's strength of determination and character to not back down from facing consequences of their own mistakes. I found this one: ser de armas tomar - but I'm getting mixed results searching forums on whether or not it is meant positively or negatively of one's character. The character who will speak it in my book is a native of Barcelona, so I'm not sure if that would even be a common saying there.

Any help with this would be much appreciated!

Thank you,
A.C.

[Haru]

A.C., "ser de armas tomar" means a person with fighting disposition. It has nothing to do with determination. Just like you searched, it can be good or bad depending on the context. It is a pretty generic phrase, not something you would use every day but not an obscure idiom either.
Thinking, thinking... No, I can't think of a phrase that gathers what you want... Heck, are there no determined people viewed in a positive light in Spanish-speaking countries? :(
You may try a phrase like "Tu fuerza de voluntad es tan impresionante que nada te detiene" or something like that.

[A.C.]

Thank you, Haru! Would you mind translating your suggestion in English for me? I don't trust Google not mess it up.

[Haru]

"Your willpower is so impressive that nothing stops you".

You can also think of a phrase in English and I can translate it for you.

[Magnus]

All I can say is - be very careful . If your character is from Barcelona chances are her/his native language is Catalan, not Spanish. It's an important, currently very topical difference. While it's not totally inconceivable that their first language is Castillian (Spanish) it would certainly require an explanation as to why it's not Catalan - otherwise you'll lose an entire market in one instant.

[A.C.]

Haru wrote: ""Your willpower is so impressive that nothing stops you".

You can also think of a phrase in English and I can translate it for you."

Oh, that's a good saying! That might actually work for this instance. Thank you for your help, Haru!

[A.C.]

Magnus wrote: "All I can say is - be very careful . If your character is from Barcelona chances are her/his native language is Catalan, not Spanish. It's an important, currently very topical difference. While it'..."

Thanks for the reminder, Magnus! I do recall reading that a long time ago, and it completely slipped my mind. I will do a bit more research on it and devise the best way to go. I may just have to change the character's hometown. This is why I'm so grateful for these Goodreads groups, far more helpful than trying to find answers on Google!

Thanks again,
A.C.

[Magnus]

Changing the character's hometown might be your easiest way out, I agree. The 'Catalan question' is arguable the most contentious issue in modern Spain right now. I'm not saying it can't be done, but it shouldn't be done blindly. It's pretty complicated and would require a fair bit of research to get up to date on this.
I don't know whether you recalll the 70s show 'Fawlty Towers'. It's a very funny cult series that features a Spanish character (Manuel from Barcelona). When seen today his origins are a huge flaw in an otherwise near-perfect series as the word 'Catalan' is totally absent
It goes to show how successful the then-current fascist regime (General Franco) was (and it's disappointing that John Cleese of all people didn't do better reserach on this)...
Anyway, good luck

[JAKe]

Magnus wrote: "Changing the character's hometown might be your easiest way out, I agree. The 'Catalan question' is arguable the most contentious issue in modern Spain right now. I'm not saying it can't be done, b..."

Just want to say, I'm impressed by your comments.

[Magnus]

well, that's kind. Many thanks, JAKe

[Jenny]

Here’s a suggestion. Quien quiere, mucho puede (a wilful man must have his way). I have a whole book of Spanish idioms so keep asking and giving me further context if you like!

[Jenny]

Or “la fortuna ayuda a los osados” (fortune favours the brave)

[Jeremiah]

This isn't directly an answer to your question, but I recently found out about something called a "sensitivity reader." Basically, if you're writing outside of your own culture, their job is to read what written and assure that it's accurate.

I'm not sure if you're interested, and I can't recommend one (my book is set on a different planet, so there's no reader for that 😊), but I'd never heard of them until a few days ago, so I thought I'd let you know they existed.