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Glossary entry

German term or phrase:

Für FiF-ige Wissenschaftlerinnen

English translation:

promoting women in research

Added to glossary by Languageman
Jun 11, 2009 08:15
14 yrs ago
German term

Für FiF-ige Wissenschaftlerinnen

German to English Science Idioms / Maxims / Sayings Women in science
A fantastic tagline, but one that has no hope of ever finding a perfect equivalent in English! So, perhaps the perfect KudoZ question? I know we enjoy these, and many heads are better than one :)

The full heading is:

Für FiF-ige Wissenschaftlerinnen: FiF – Die Kontaktstelle Frauen in die EU-Forschung

This is the heading to a section in a report about German policy actions to promote equal opportunities for women. FiF is short for "Kontaktstelle Frauen in die EU-Forschung" (read all about it here: http://www.eubuero.de/arbeitsbereiche/fraueneuforschung).

The overall document is a seriously intended, but not heavily written, summary of everything that the German government is doing to promote equal opportunities for female scientists and researchers.

My best effort so far is "For sparky scientists", but that doesn't get the female angle across. So, any bright sparks out there got anything better?

Cheers all in advance,

Stephen
Proposed translations (English)
3 +3 For women in science
3 +4 Female academics on the Front Line
4 +1 adroit scientists or nimble scientists
3 +1 For Investigative Females

Discussion

Languageman (asker) Jun 12, 2009:
Ooops Yes indeed, although a woman would be more likely to have heard of it: I note that the even the UN are not immune to such a faux pas, including their definition of this term under the subcategory "womenwatch" (not "personwatch" or "genderwatch")! http://www.un.org/womenwatch/osagi/gendermainstreaming.htm
Sarah Appleby (X) Jun 12, 2009:
The woman on the street would be baffled by "gender mainstreaming" too. I think we're all equal in that respect. @ Sylvie: In the spirit of Kudoz collaboration, Helen and I have already come up with "women in research". I don't think using "scientific co-ordinators" would make for a snappy tagline though.
Languageman (asker) Jun 12, 2009:
@Slyvie No, no, you misunderstand me. I don't mean to suggest that gender mainstreaming is uncommon or out of place in this field, but I'm sure if I were to go and ask the man on the street, he'd be rather baffled!
sylvie malich (X) Jun 12, 2009:
! Helen Shiner should post her additional suggestions: "They talk about 'women in research' and 'scientific co-ordinators' etc." These are right on the mark! Aside to Asker, gender mainstreaming is not as unknown as you may believe it is ("how is anyone supposed to know what that means!"), perhaps some research in the subject could help with the text you are doing.
Dzasmin Jun 11, 2009:
thank you very much for your response, I really felt bad, thinking that somebody maybe was insulted. best regards
Anne Schulz Jun 11, 2009:
Hi Dzasmin I did by no means take your posting as an insult, neither to me nor to (any other :-) respectable women. Just wanted to correct the spelling (because I am a bit fussy) and point out that the source text is not politically correct in the first place (because the discussion went so much about finding the correct terminology for the hard working female scientists). IMO this heading does not at all try to characterize those female scientists but is merely a play on words (or rather, letters).
Dzasmin Jun 11, 2009:
sorry Anne, I had by all means no intention to insult somebodies political views, and especially not respectable women.
Anne Schulz Jun 11, 2009:
It is actually *P*FIFFIG ...and that is not only smart or clever, but often has a strong touch of shrewd, sharp or cleverly. It is by no means what a respectable female scientist would like to be called in the first place, which probably means that i) it was chosen for the alliteration with FIF rather than characterization of the target reader, and ii) you might not have to be overly concerned about political correctness in your translation.
Languageman (asker) Jun 11, 2009:
Thanks for the update Yes, the report is indeed useful. I had the same reaction on reading "gender mainstreaming" - how is anyone supposed to know what that means! You're dead right about the patronising angle, I'm treading on eggshells a bit with this one, which is partly why I put this up here. Good to get some input from the other side of the gender coin ;)
Dzasmin Jun 11, 2009:
I think in this question the term FIFFIG is the word we are looking for in English. Scientific or academic doesn't matter. Fiffig means a lot of things among others if somebody is clever, sharp, brainy, skillful, creative......and a lot of others all in one word FIFFIG. closest answer here is adroit or nimble.
Helen Shiner Jun 11, 2009:
Gender mainstreaming (!) I have just had a look at the report embedded in the link you give about gender equality. I think you will find the correct terminology there. They talk about 'women in research' and 'scientific co-ordinators' etc. I have only quickly opened it, but I am sure it will help.
Also - I definitely think you should avoid patronising and cutesy language. German female academics have a tough enough time in that particular male-dominated world!!
Languageman (asker) Jun 11, 2009:
Another thought on 'academics' Just a thought, but wouldn't using 'academics' exclude women who work in industry rather than at a higher education establishment?
Helen Shiner Jun 11, 2009:
Researchers I'd be a bit careful here. Researchers might sound a bit lowly, if you are an academic heading up a research team, for instance. I imagine the term in the sciences would more likely be 'research scientists' anyway. If you use 'scientists' you immediately exclude so many disciplines in the social sciences, humanities, etc., etc. I would really suggest you are absolutely sure about the target audience, before you inadvertently lose your client half of them!! If it is only 'scientists' in the strictest sense, then that, of course, is fine as a term!
Languageman (asker) Jun 11, 2009:
Researchers? I see your point. The rest of my document definitely has a scientific bent, but that's not to say your wrong here. Perhaps "researchers" might imply 'science' without being specific?
Helen Shiner Jun 11, 2009:
Stephen Since so much in academia is inter-disciplinary nowadays, as an academic myself, I would definitely advise you stick with 'academics' rather than 'scientists' since that may be just too narrow.
Languageman (asker) Jun 11, 2009:
ProZ included the bracket in the URL correct link is http://www.eubuero.de/arbeitsbereiche/fraueneuforschung

This is directed at scientists mainly: "Die Kontaktstelle wird vom Referat Chancengerechtigkeit in Bildung und Forschung des BMBF gefördert und berät Wissenschaftlerinnen bei der Einwerbung von EU-Projekten."
Helen Shiner Jun 11, 2009:
Stephen BTW your link comes up as a Seitenfehler. Is this just addressed at scientists or female academics in general?

Proposed translations

+3
28 mins
Selected

For women in science

Morning, This is quite dull but not condescending in any way. 'Feisty' or 'smart' occurred to me as adjectives but I think a serious approach is more appropriate. Could go for something like 'A resource for women in science' perhaps.

L'Oréal-UNESCO have a "For Women in Science" programme/award - clear with no 'sassy' wordplay.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 41 mins (2009-06-11 08:56:38 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

'Sparky' isn't bad - I just don't think there should be any element of "oh, look at the clever little women". Even if you say "For smart women in science", it implies you need to over-achieve to get anywhere. Or maybe that's being too cautious.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2009-06-11 09:19:39 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Alt.: Promoting women in research (given Helen's very valid point)
Reference:

http://www.unesco.org.uk/For_Women_in_Science.htm

Note from asker:
Thanks. Yes, I agree, the big danger here is appearing even slightly condescending. I take it then that you think "sparky" is heading in that direction?
Indeed, if there's any risk of sounding like 'clever little woman' then I should err on the side of caution. I guess readers in the PC, gender-neutral English-speaking world are a bit more sensitive to this than German speakers.
Peer comment(s):
agree sylvie malich (X) : All your points are very valid. @asker: "sparky scientists"? please refer to the definition of sparky "lively or animated". I don't think so. Reminds one of "Sparky the fire dog" (C:|
1 hr
Thanks Sylvie
agree Helen Shiner : with 'promoting women in research' for an understated approach.
4 hrs
Thanks Helen
agree robin25
6 hrs
Thanks Robin, I feel quite "pfiffig" now!
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks everybody who contributed so generously to this discussion. It was a tough one to call between Sarah and Helen, but, given the emotion that this subject has the potential to evoke, I decided to follow Sarah's advice to take a serious approach. By similar token, I was also a little reluctant about the potential militaristic overtones of using "front line", just in case the translation was used elsewhere out of context."
+4
25 mins

Female academics on the Front Line

Trying to get some 'F's in there!

Female academics up Front
Note from asker:
As always, alliteration is awesome ;)
A shame that I wouldn't get away with "she-scientists" for a bit of alliteration!
Peer comment(s):
agree Sarah Appleby (X) : Like it but with female scientists (there's a mention of the top ten female scientists in Germany and there's not an arts subject to be seen). After all, that is the area where women are underrepresented and need this kind of body...
8 mins
Thanks, Sarah - but I would definitely stick with academics rather than scientists, regardless of whether we can see any mention of arts subjects.//If this is about attracting funding, I think you'll find the poor old humanities subjects have far less!!
agree Barbara Wiebking : ... yes or maybe something like "Female researchers first".
37 mins
Thanks, kriddl - though see my comments about researchers.
agree hazmatgerman (X) : I like the Fs kept in, puts the "f"emales back in academe so to speak. Regards.
23 hrs
Thanks, hazmatgerman
agree Harald Moelzer (medical-translator)
1 day 4 hrs
Thanks, Harald
Something went wrong...
+1
22 mins

For Investigative Females

less than perfect, but maybe a starter

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 32 mins (2009-06-11 08:47:26 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

FIF-ty ways to leave your lover (or to get equal EU opportunities)
Note from asker:
Thanks for helping
Peer comment(s):
agree sylvie malich (X) : I want to also congratulate you for putting the asker on track of what this is all about.
1 day 2 mins
Thanks Sylvie!
Something went wrong...
+1
2 hrs

adroit scientists or nimble scientists

If you nedd something less formal, matching to this also rather informal German term, I would suggest this:

Adroit : having or showing skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness in handling situations <an adroit leader> <adroit maneuvers>
Synonyms see clever, dexterous
— adroit•ly adverb
— adroit•ness noun

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adroit

Nimble
1: quick and light in motion : agile <nimble fingers>
2 a: marked by quick, alert, clever conception, comprehension, or resourcefulness <a nimble mind> b: responsive, sensitive <a nimble listener>
— nim•ble•ness \-bəl-nəs\ noun
— nim•bly \-blē\ adverb


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2009-06-11 10:27:31 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Sorry, I forgot to add "female angle" so ADROIT FEMALE/WOMAN SCIENTISTS
Note from asker:
Thanks for the suggestion.
Peer comment(s):
agree Dzasmin
4 hrs
Something went wrong...
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