Aug 10, 2010 13:47
13 yrs ago
3 viewers *
German term
Germany
Scientific & technical expertise
Native in: English (Variant: British) 
Works in: German to English
Stehzeug
German to English
Tech/Engineering
Transport / Transportation / Shipping
Context:
Das Elektrofahrzeug hat es schwer, schon jetzt akzeptiert zu werden, obwohl in Deutschland die durchschnittlich zurückgelegte Strecke im Automobil pro Tag deutlich unter 50 Kilometern liegt. Pointiert gesagt: Eigentlich ist ein typisches Fahrzeug ein „Stehzeug“; es wird meistens weniger als ein bis zwei Stunden am Tag bewegt.
Source: http://www.dfg.de/download/pdf/dfg_magazin/wissenschaft_oeff...
This play on words that seems rather tricky to adapt to English, given that "vehicle" and "car" are far less descriptive than "Fahrzeug". The best idea that has sprung to mind so far is "autostatic" as opposed to "automobile", but since British English is called for, it would seem rather stilted to suddenly refer to "automobiles".
Das Elektrofahrzeug hat es schwer, schon jetzt akzeptiert zu werden, obwohl in Deutschland die durchschnittlich zurückgelegte Strecke im Automobil pro Tag deutlich unter 50 Kilometern liegt. Pointiert gesagt: Eigentlich ist ein typisches Fahrzeug ein „Stehzeug“; es wird meistens weniger als ein bis zwei Stunden am Tag bewegt.
Source: http://www.dfg.de/download/pdf/dfg_magazin/wissenschaft_oeff...
This play on words that seems rather tricky to adapt to English, given that "vehicle" and "car" are far less descriptive than "Fahrzeug". The best idea that has sprung to mind so far is "autostatic" as opposed to "automobile", but since British English is called for, it would seem rather stilted to suddenly refer to "automobiles".
Proposed translations
(English)
Change log
Aug 10, 2010 18:45: Astrid Elke Witte changed "Term asked" from "„Stehzeug“" to "Stehzeug"
Proposed translations
+3
8 mins
Steffen Walter
Germany
Germany
Native in German
Works in field
Germany
Top-Notch Service | Direct Clients Only
Native in: German (Variant: Germany) 
Works in: English to German, German to English, French to German, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
195
German term (edited):
„Stehzeug“
Selected
stationary
In general, and contrary to their (intended) purpose, cars/vehicles are stationary rather than mobile most of the time.
I believe the play on words in the German version is very difficult if not impossible to convey, hence my suggestion.
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Note added at 27 mins (2010-08-10 14:14:20 GMT)
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I wouldn't use "autostatic" vs. "automobile" (you said that British English was required).
I believe the play on words in the German version is very difficult if not impossible to convey, hence my suggestion.
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Note added at 27 mins (2010-08-10 14:14:20 GMT)
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I wouldn't use "autostatic" vs. "automobile" (you said that British English was required).
Note from asker:
| Yes, thanks. It's often tricky to translate plays on words, but what do you think of my proposal above? |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
jccantrell
: My thought, too.
17 mins
|
| agree |
Armorel Young
: and mine - I'd avoid attempts to be clever (especially as the word automobile just means that it "goes by itself", not that it has to be doing this all the time - which would be perpetuum mobile, something different entirely)
1 hr
|
| agree |
Rolf Keiser
1 day 23 mins
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Many thanks!"
+1
40 mins
polyglot45
Native in English
Native in: English , French
Works in: English to French, French to English, German to French, and 4 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
54
German term (edited):
„Stehzeug“
anything but mobile
most so-called automobiles are anything but mobile most of the time
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
casper (X)
: very nicely put, I must say :-)
3 hrs
|
|
thank you !
|
1 hr
Sarah Bessioud
Germany
Germany
Native in English
Works in field
Germany
A way with words
Native in: English (Variants: British, UK, US)
Works in: German to English, French to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
11
German term (edited):
„Stehzeug“
in park mode most of the time
I think you're right in having doubts about automobiles, but why not use a description linked to cars? The point that's being made is not that the car is stationary (ie. stopped at traffic lights), but rather that it's not even used most of the time, which is why I feel "in park mode" or "parked up" fits the bill nicely.
3 hrs
Colin Rowe
Germany
Germany
Native in English
Works in field
Germany
Par Excellence Translations
Native in: English (Variant: British)
Works in: German to English, French to English, Italian to English, and 3 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
49
German term (edited):
„Stehzeug“
"stator car"
A couple of ideas, trying to keep the play on words:
Not so much a "motor car" as a "stator car"!
or, for our American friends:
"auto-immobile"
Not so much a "motor car" as a "stator car"!
or, for our American friends:
"auto-immobile"
5 hrs
British Diana
Germany
Germany
Native in English
Germany
enthusiast
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Works in: German to English, English to German, English, and 1 more.
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:
3
it's a "park", not a "ride"
Sorry Jeux de Mots I stole half of this (the parking element) from you.
David, if you really want a lighthearted play on words, how about this one.. I'm afraid you own idea won't work , for how many readers would realise that "static" means not moving? I had to think really hard myself to get your meaning. Most people think of "static" the noise or "static electricity" without knowing why it is so called.
For those not as familiar with British slang, a car is often referred to as a "ride".
David, if you really want a lighthearted play on words, how about this one.. I'm afraid you own idea won't work , for how many readers would realise that "static" means not moving? I had to think really hard myself to get your meaning. Most people think of "static" the noise or "static electricity" without knowing why it is so called.
For those not as familiar with British slang, a car is often referred to as a "ride".
1 day 16 hrs
Norbert Hermann
Native in German
&
English
Works in field
YOUR COMPETITIVE EDGE - over 40 YEARS!
Native in: English , German
Works in: English to German, German to English, Portuguese to German, and 3 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
34
standing car
typical vehicle is a 'standing car'.
This is also closer to your original 'Stehfahrzeug'
Electric Cars, less cars, hynbrid cars ... still be a lot of cars just standing around, and a standing car is for many people an unnecessary investment. ...
www.lesscars.org/carpooling.php - Cached - Similar
This is also closer to your original 'Stehfahrzeug'
Electric Cars, less cars, hynbrid cars ... still be a lot of cars just standing around, and a standing car is for many people an unnecessary investment. ...
www.lesscars.org/carpooling.php - Cached - Similar
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