Glossary entry (derived from question below)
German term or phrase:
zu einer sachlichen Auseinandersetzung beitragen sollte
English translation:
were intended to (or: supposed to) contribute to an objective discussion
Added to glossary by
silfilla
Apr 14, 2005 17:13
19 yrs ago
German term
20yrs experience. Style & fluidity.
Native in: English 
Works in: Spanish to English, German to English
zu einer sachlichen Auseinandersetzung beitragen sollte
German to English
Bus/Financial
Business/Commerce (general)
Inwieweit die folgenden Passagen von Herrn Dr. med. Budde zu einer sachlichen Auseinandersetzung beitragen sollten, die zudem in der Öffentlichkeit von ihm geführt wurde, bleibt mir verschlossen. Als Mutter empfand ich das folgende Zitat aus dem Anschreiben von Herrn Budde einfach nur schmerzlich (Zitat Herr Dr. med. Budde): „Wir bedauern häufig die Kinder und uns fragen, ob es nicht unsere Pflicht ist, das Jugendamt einzuschalten“ (Zitat Ende).
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
6 mins
silfilla
Specializes in field
Selected
were intended to (or: supposed to) contribute to an objective discussion
hth
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Many thanks to all"
+1
6 mins
German term (edited):
zu einer sachlichen Auseinandersetzung beitragen sollten
were supposed to contribute to an objective discussion
***
7 mins
Alexander Schleber (X)
Belgium
Native in German
&
English
Specializes in field
Related KudoZ points
:
256
contribute to a factual discussion
Short and to the point, though I think you will get many other suggestions.
+1
7 mins
...were meant to be supportive of a rational/objective discourse/dispute...
...were meant to be supportive of a rational/objective discourse/dispute...
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Glyn Haggett
: I think "sachlich" has the sense of something like "sensible" in this context, the implication being that the comments are not altogether helpful. HTH
18 mins
|
| neutral |
Ian M-H (X)
: "supportive" doesn't feel quite right. "conducive to", perhaps?
1 hr
|
+3
1 hr
...dispassionate debate...
another adjective, another noun
...and 600ggls for "dispassionate debate"
beitragen = contribute (of course)
...and 600ggls for "dispassionate debate"
beitragen = contribute (of course)
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Ian M-H (X)
: perhaps discussion rather than debate here, but dispassionate is definitely worth an "agree"
4 mins
|
| agree |
Susanne Rindlisbacher
6 mins
|
| agree |
Ulrike Kraemer
15 mins
|
| neutral |
Victor Dewsbery
: Very formal register for a mother talking about a doctor who wants to get her kids taken away from her.
32 mins
|
|
This poor victim of the medical establishment sounds quite articulate to me. Should we seek to disenfranchise her by lowering her register? Some might consider that to be patronising.
|
+1
1 hr
German term (edited):
zu einer sachlichen Auseinandersetzung beitragen sollte
can be regarded as objective
Victor's right about "sachlich" but I think it can be "objective" here if you rephrase, for example:
It is hard to see [or, stronger and closer to the original: It remains a mystery to me] how the following remarks by Dr. B, especially given that they were made [he made them] public, can be seen/regarded as objective.
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Note added at 1 hr 24 mins (2005-04-14 18:37:27 GMT)
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I like Andrew\'s dispassionate. Maybe \"conducive to a dispassionate discussion of the issues\"?
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Note added at 1 hr 26 mins (2005-04-14 18:39:09 GMT)
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or \"exchange of views\"
It is hard to see [or, stronger and closer to the original: It remains a mystery to me] how the following remarks by Dr. B, especially given that they were made [he made them] public, can be seen/regarded as objective.
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Note added at 1 hr 24 mins (2005-04-14 18:37:27 GMT)
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I like Andrew\'s dispassionate. Maybe \"conducive to a dispassionate discussion of the issues\"?
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Note added at 1 hr 26 mins (2005-04-14 18:39:09 GMT)
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or \"exchange of views\"
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Lancashireman
: ...for 'conducive'. Excellent word! (Providing Victor OKs the register)
45 mins
|
29 mins
Victor Dewsbery
Germany
Germany
Native in English
Works in field
Germany
Specialised in law and construction
Native in: English (Variant: British)
Works in: German to English, English to German
Related KudoZ points
:
48
meant to be part of a fair and open discussion
The text appears to be a personal reaction (and probably a bit emotional, too), not part of a philosophical and rational discourse.
Therefore I prefer to tone down the register a bit.
And "sachlich" is a terrible word to translate. "factual" and "objective" are not wrong, of course, but here they seem rather too formal (and the same goes for "contribute", too).
The word "sachlich" is a chameleon (and often a smoke screen to boot), so I always look for ways to translate the meaning instead of the word.
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Note added at 1 hr 54 mins (2005-04-14 19:07:55 GMT)
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Has everybody noticed the last bit of the context which Lorna gave us?
The woman who wrote this text is hurt about the fact that somebody wants to take her kids away.
I don\'t think she\'d use words like \"factual\", \"objective\", \"rational\" or \"dispassionate\".
I tend to sympathise with Eliza Doolittle rather than Professor \'Iggins.
Therefore I prefer to tone down the register a bit.
And "sachlich" is a terrible word to translate. "factual" and "objective" are not wrong, of course, but here they seem rather too formal (and the same goes for "contribute", too).
The word "sachlich" is a chameleon (and often a smoke screen to boot), so I always look for ways to translate the meaning instead of the word.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr 54 mins (2005-04-14 19:07:55 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Has everybody noticed the last bit of the context which Lorna gave us?
The woman who wrote this text is hurt about the fact that somebody wants to take her kids away.
I don\'t think she\'d use words like \"factual\", \"objective\", \"rational\" or \"dispassionate\".
I tend to sympathise with Eliza Doolittle rather than Professor \'Iggins.
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Ulrike Kraemer
: Wouldn't you change the "message" of the original statement - whether emotional or not - by "toning down"? I do agree, however, that "sachlich" is a tough one.
1 hr
|
|
I still feel that "fair and open" is the best equivalent for "sachlich" in this context. What would you like me to tone down in the message?
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