May 6, 2012 19:36
12 yrs ago
German term
United Kingdom
Qualified in engineering and translation
Native in: English (Variant: British)
Works in: German to English, French to English, English
der vermessene Mensch
German to English
Social Sciences
Media / Multimedia
Preserving double meaning
I would like to translate this in a way that preserves the double meaning of the German: 1. the surveyed (or measured) man, and
2. the impudent, foolhardy or overconfident man
This is the proposed title of a written work about people who constantly use, for example, digital cameras to record more or less everything that happens to them in their lives.
This work is likely to be read by Britons, Americans, and other users of English.
Can you think of a way to express this in English in just a few words?
Thank you for suggestions.
2. the impudent, foolhardy or overconfident man
This is the proposed title of a written work about people who constantly use, for example, digital cameras to record more or less everything that happens to them in their lives.
This work is likely to be read by Britons, Americans, and other users of English.
Can you think of a way to express this in English in just a few words?
Thank you for suggestions.
Proposed translations
(English)
| 3 | The Presumptuous Eye |
Ann Drummond (X)
|
| 3 | person of measure/measure of a person |
Michael Martin, MA
|
| 3 | The Self-(ob)server |
Edwin Miles
|
| 3 | The measure of man's conceit |
Mark Flynn
|
Proposed translations
12 hrs
Selected
The Presumptuous Eye
As a title, a bit of latitude should be OK, so something along these lines might work. There is a double play on I/eye, putting emphasis on observing, watching by an individual. Maybe a bit too obscure though?
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you Ann - this one seems the most appropriate in this case. I'll suggest it to my client (who knows English fairly well) to see what he thinks. Thanks to everybody else also for offering help - really appreciated, and perhaps a useful exercise for all our imaginations."
56 mins
Michael Martin, MA
United States
United States
Native in German
&
English
United States
Creativity wins in the long run
Native in: German (Variant: Germany) 
, English (Variant: US)
Works in: German to English
Related KudoZ points
:
16
person of measure/measure of a person
Not as good as the German, imo, but not too bad. Substitute man/woman for person as needed.
Another idea that sprang to mind:
"scrutable man"
Is that a word yet..? Not as good a juxtaposition but worth a shot..
Another idea that sprang to mind:
"scrutable man"
Is that a word yet..? Not as good a juxtaposition but worth a shot..
57 mins
The Self-(ob)server
To kick things off: a play on various things...
11 hrs
The measure of man's conceit
Another suggestion.
Discussion