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Glossary entry

German term or phrase:

versetzen

English translation:

cause (an object) to move (in translational movement); ((if context suggests:)) set (an object) in motion

Added to glossary by TechLawDC
Sep 18, 2018 04:18
5 yrs ago
7 viewers *
German term

versetzen

German to English Law/Patents Mechanics / Mech Engineering Effects of a drive device on an object, namely causing the object to move.
eine Antriebseinrichtung über welche das schwimmfähige Objekt in eine Bewegung versetzt ist.
Problem 1: I don't think versetzt means "brings about movement" or "initiates movement" or "sets into motion" or "causes to move".
I think a movement of substantial and/or continued duration is implied.
Problem 2: I don't think versetzt means "displaces" or "shifts the location of" or "moves one time by a certain distance".
Again, I think a movement of substantial and/or continued duration is implied.
Translation variant A: A drive device which causes movement of the buoyant object. ((This preserves the ambiguity of the original German.))
Translation variant B: A drive device which drives the buoyant object in driven movement.
Translaton variant C: A drive device which brings about an excursion of the buoyant object. ((Here I have given in to the literal meaning, in which case I would just leave a note for the client. I would tell the client that "excursion" here may mean "an extended excursion" or even "an excursion without end".))
Proposed translations (English)
2 +1 set ....in motion
5 +1 bring about
Change log

Sep 29, 2018 14:03: TechLawDC Created KOG entry

Discussion

Stuart and Aida Nelson Sep 19, 2018:
@ Björn Thank you for confirming that my grammar book is working lol :) 'in eine Bewegung versetzt ist'
Darin Fitzpatrick Sep 18, 2018:
Another alternative that shortens the sentence is simply, "a drive device for displacing the buoyant object." I would hesitate, however, because there is a slight distinction between acting on an object and bringing about an effect.
Björn Vrooman Sep 18, 2018:
Hello Darin I'm not arguing against your gerund; in fact, I thought about agreeing with you. I believe bring about, set in or similar is just redundant, e.g.,
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20100170731

Also, I do find it a bit odd that a word as ambiguous as displace (which can also mean replace) has been chosen for Bewegung--but, then again, you have more experience in this field.

Best
Darin Fitzpatrick Sep 18, 2018:
Björn In a normal context, the difference between "wird" and "ist" could be significant. Specifically, it could be the difference between "is" and "has been."

In a patent text, however, the distinction vanishes when the relationship between the items (the drive device and the buoyant object) is described. The patent describes the relationship, not a sequence of events, and this is captured in English (under WIPO guidelines) by the gerund form.
Björn Vrooman Sep 18, 2018:
Phil Where have you been hiding your grammar book? It reads "...in eine Bewegung versetzt ist..."

"Causes...to move" would be "...versetzt wird..." or "versetzt" only. Although oddly enough, I can only find a patent using "wird," not "ist." Maybe the asker should clarify.

Also, I'm pretty sure it's propulsion and motion in this context. Cf.
"propel: is defined as to cause to move or sustain in motion"
https://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/rocket/BottleRocket/Shari/...
Stuart and Aida Nelson Sep 18, 2018:
in eine Bewegung vs in Bewegung I think you've got a point there. The normal expression in German would be 'in Bewegung versetzen' but the ST says here 'in eine Bewegung versetzen'. I also think a movement of substantial and/or continued duration is implied. As I understand, 'versetzen' here means causing the buoyant object to move in one movement. However, I am unsure as whether B or C would be appropriate as I am not an expert in technology, cheers, Aida
philgoddard Sep 18, 2018:
I think you're reading too much into this. It just means "causes it to move", and doesn't say anything about the duration of the movement.

Proposed translations

+1
2 hrs
Selected

set ....in motion

sets the ... in motion

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2018-09-18 07:16:48 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I also tend to think 'floating' sounds more natural than 'buoyant', but maybe that is not so in your case.
Note from asker:
After reading both answers, I still think that in context "versetzt" means more than just "sets in motion", which implies an impulse rather than continuous driving. I think it is safer to say "causes to move".
Peer comment(s):
neutral Stuart and Aida Nelson : see discussion
10 mins
I opted for this because it is neutral and could be understood in both ways.
neutral Darin Fitzpatrick : Note that floating would be "schwimmend", but the text here has "schwimmfähig."
2 hrs
That was just an afterthought and had nothing to do with my translation of the term.
agree philgoddard
7 hrs
Thanks, Phil. Basically you said the same thing.
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks. See my (not 100% expert) notes to both Answerers."
+1
5 hrs

bring about

Full translation: "... a drive device for bringing about a displacement of the buoyant object."

Per WIPO guidelines, the correct term for "Bewegung" is "displacement." The duration, extent, or frequency does not matter.

Also the gerund form is preferred for the dependent clause (i.e., "for bringing about" vs. "which brings about.") In general, relative pronouns should not be used in patents.
Note from asker:
Nearly every time I have seen "in eine Bewegung" it has meant "into a translational movement". "Displacement" in kinematics is instead something like "Verschiebung". However, I appreciate your definitive statement that no particular duration is implied!
Peer comment(s):
agree Björn Vrooman : Agree it should be a gerund--wasn't immediately clear to me that this was your main point (answer field reads "bring about"). Was tempted to suggest a commonly misused word to add some confusion: https://patents.google.com/patent/US4075091 =)
56 mins
Thanks!
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