The main fault of the translator is to ignore the function of the words in the conversation. The aim of discourse markers is to do something, rather than mean something. One of the main markers in Spanish is a ver.
Of course, it's not a word, it's an expression, though so indivisible, that many illiterate Spanish write it as one word haber, confusing it with a completely different verb. How can it be, you might think, because etymologically this construction goes back to vamos a ver – let us see. Yes, it does. Though often its usage has nothing to do with etymology. That's why in most cases translating a ver as "let's see" is just incorrect.
The main meaning of a ver – to establish a mutual contact between interlocutors. If mira serves to draw the interlocutor's attention to the speaker, a ver requires a mutual contact.
A ver is mostly used when we need to get something from the interlocutor or when he/she gives/shows us something. Depending on the situation it can be translated as "Well, well", "Let me see", etc.:
– Look, can you check what’s wrong with my solution to the task?
– … / Well / Well, what do you have here? / Well, let me see
This phrase should be translated as a ver. There are thousands of such situations:
– Buau, buau, buau (un niño llorando) – the baby's crying
– A ver, bonito, ¿qué te pasa? – Well, darling, what's the matter?– No sé qué ocurre que no se enciende el ordenador – I don't understand why the computer doesn't turn on
– A ver… – Well, let me have a look… (the interlocutor took the trouble of examining the computer)– Mire, le he traído el último informe – Here, I brought you the last report
– A ver – Let me have a look
A ver is often used by teachers when addressing students, parents, in conversation with children, and generally the superior ones to the inferior ones. It should be translated as "Well". In this context, it can be used to attract attention:
PROFESORA: ¡A ver, chicos! – Well, guys (let's focus and start the lesson)
JEFE: A ver – Look (here's what I'm going to say) / So
In most cases the superior ones use a ver to fall out:
(un niño molesta a los demás – one boy bothers the rest)
A ver, José, ¿qué estás haciendo? – Listen, Jose, what are you doing there?(dos hermanos se están pegando – two brothers are fighting)
– A ver, ¿qué pasa aquí? – Hey, what's going on here?(una niña que ha roto un jarrón – a girl has broken a vase)
– A ver, ¿cuántas veces te he dicho que no lo tocaras? – Look, how many times have I told you not to touch it?
In heates discussions vamos a ver marks the desire to present an indisputable argument:
– Esta palabra no se utiliza así – This word is not used like this
– Te digo yo que sí – I'm telling you it does
– Que no – Well I'm saying it doesn't
– Vamos a ver. Es tan fácil como mirar en un diccionario – Listen. Let's look it up in a dictionary
Finally, a ver can mean the beginning of an explanation, especially when the person explaining fails to come up with the right words:
– ¿Qué es un sustantivo? – What is a noun?
– A ver, es una clase de palabras = ¿Cómo te lo explico? Es una clase de palabras – Well, it's a class of words. = How shall I put it? This is a class of words.
The construction a ver si deserves special attention. Like quiero, me gustaría, ojalá, it expresses desires and hopes:
A ver si vienen mis padres (=Quiero que vengan mis padres) – I wish my parents arrived / I hope that my parents will come
A ver si apruebo mañana (=No sé si apruebo mañana pero me gustaría aprobar) – I hope I'll pass the exam tomorrow
A ver si por fin hace bueno y podemos salir a pasear – Let's hope the weather's finally good and we can go for a walk
The English equivalents I hope and I wish are the closest to it. Among all the constructions expressing hope a ver si is the most frequent.
Apart from hope, this construction can warn of danger or express concern:
Ten cuidado, hijo, a ver si te caes – Careful, son, don't fall
It can also be used to challenge someone:
A ver si puedes montar en bici sin manos – See if you can ride a bike without hands
A ver si sabes quién ha llamado esta mañana – Guess who called this morning