tienen que tener como pleonasmo?

Question

¿Es "tienen que tener" un caso de pleonasmo y anglicismo (have to have)? Por ejemplo: Éstas son las habilidades que los graduados "tienen que tener" para prosperar en el mundo moderno. ¿Es esta frase apropiada para un texto gubernamental? ¿Cuál es una mejor alternativa?

Answer 1

Let's discuss whether "tienen que tener" is a case of pleonasmo and if it's influenced by English.



1. Pleonasmo: Pleonasmo refers to the use of more words than necessary to convey a meaning. In the phrase "tienen que tener," it's arguable whether it's strictly pleonastic because "tener que" is an idiomatic expression meaning "to have to" or "must," and "tener" means "to have." The phrase as a whole, "tienen que tener," translates to "they have to have" or "they must have," which isn't necessarily redundant in terms of conveying a specific requirement or necessity.
2. Anglicismo: The influence of English is possible here, especially given the direct translation "have to have." However, the construction "tener que tener" is understandable and used in Spanish to express necessity or requirement regarding possession or qualities. It's not uncommon to see phrases like this in Spanish, especially in formal or bureaucratic contexts where precision about requirements is crucial.
3. Appropriateness in a Governmental Text: For a governmental text, clarity and precision are paramount. While "tienen que tener" is understandable, there might be more precise or formal ways to express the idea, depending on the exact message you want to convey.
4. Alternative Phrasing: Depending on the context, you might consider these alternatives:
5. Deben tener: This means "they must have" or "they should have," which can be a direct and clear way to state requirements.
6. Es necesario que tengan: This translates to "it is necessary that they have," which can be useful for outlining specific requirements or qualifications.
7. Requieren tener: Meaning "they require having," this can be a good option for formal texts where you're listing specific needs or qualifications.

In the context of your example, "Éstas son las habilidades que los graduados deben tener para prosperar en el mundo moderno" could be a good alternative. It maintains clarity and formality, which are often valued in governmental texts

Answer 2

Es una cuestión de opinión si "tener que + infinitivo" es un pleonismo. Un pleonasmo es el uso de más palabras de las necesarias para transmitir su significado. Sin embargo, no considero que sea un anglicismo, que toma prestados los términos en inglés y los adapta al español.

Si le preocupa usar demasiadas palabras, puede volver a redactar "tener que" para "necesita" de esta manera: "Los estudiantes necesitan una mejor vivienda para tener éxito".