0

I am trying to translate "Lengua Bífida" from Spanish to English.

The text "Lengua bífida" in Spanish expresses that someone has a tempting form of talking, normally in a bad way.

I was looking for an expression in English that has this meaning, because I don't know if direct translation whould be good in this place.

4
  • 1
    Interesting. Bifid tongue according to Google translate. Wonder what that means. Sorry, Forked tongue when I manually selected Spanish as source.
    – NVZ
    Apr 25, 2022 at 14:03
  • Cf. spina bifida
    – Robusto
    Apr 25, 2022 at 14:05
  • Is it a double entendre of speaking with a hidden, often sexy, meaning? A split meaning? Apr 25, 2022 at 14:20
  • As @YosefBaskin stated, is something of a split and/or hidden meaning. But I won't say that is sexy. Apr 25, 2022 at 15:03

1 Answer 1

5

I suggest forked tongue. Merriam-Webster has

forked tongue noun
: intent to mislead or deceive — usually used in the phrase to speak with forked tongue

Also Farlex has

forked tongue
A trait of someone who speaks in a dishonest or deceitful manner.
Often used in the phrase "speak with (a) forked tongue."
I wouldn't trust a thing Caitlin says, she's always speaking with a forked tongue.

1
  • The DRAE Spanish dictionary defines lengua bífida as lengua serpentina and lengua viperina. Wiktionary defines bifid in English as forked. A couple of translations from Linguee.com also show forked tongue : linguee.com/english-spanish/… Apr 25, 2022 at 16:08

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.