help iwith phrase please: også selv de ligger ned

English translation: even if they are down and out.

15:38 Aug 4, 2008
Danish to English translations [PRO]
Social Science, Sociology, Ethics, etc. / charitable organisation
Danish term or phrase: help iwith phrase please: også selv de ligger ned
The Danish Church Army's work is being described to the general public, presumably in the hope of attracting more volunteers or donations.
Kirkens Korshær forsøger at nå disse mennesker, når livet er kaotisk, besværligt og uoverskueligt og ønsker at være ved deres side, også selv de ligger ned.
I've had to include all the words in one question for context of course - does it mean that the Church meets people [who use its services] at the people's own level rather than acting as an authority and creating a distance, or something else? I'm really not sure if I'm right with that interpretation.
Advice appreciated (not sure whether it should be pro or non-pro).
Helen Johnson
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:14
English translation:even if they are down and out.
Explanation:
Hi,

I think the problem is that something is missing. What is missing could be:

"ønsker at være ved deres side, også selv[om] de ligger ned."
- wish to be by their side even if they are down and out."

"ønsker at være ved deres side, også selv de [der] ligger ned."
- wish to be by their side, even those who are down and out.

Maybe someone has a different suggestion.

Good luck.




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Note added at 1 hr (2008-08-04 16:43:21 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Come to think of it, "down and out" might be a little too strong and negative - perhaps "need help get to get up..."
Selected response from:

Christian Schoenberg
United States
Local time: 11:14
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4even if they are down and out.
Christian Schoenberg
4even if they are already down
CharlotteLinder
2even though they may be [feeling] down
Judith Imbo


  

Answers


49 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
even though they may be [feeling] down


Explanation:
think it may be the same as 'selv om'

Judith Imbo
Local time: 15:14
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: English
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56 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
even if they are down and out.


Explanation:
Hi,

I think the problem is that something is missing. What is missing could be:

"ønsker at være ved deres side, også selv[om] de ligger ned."
- wish to be by their side even if they are down and out."

"ønsker at være ved deres side, også selv de [der] ligger ned."
- wish to be by their side, even those who are down and out.

Maybe someone has a different suggestion.

Good luck.




--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2008-08-04 16:43:21 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Come to think of it, "down and out" might be a little too strong and negative - perhaps "need help get to get up..."

Christian Schoenberg
United States
Local time: 11:14
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: Native in DanishDanish, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

9 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
even if they are already down


Language variant: bottom of society

Explanation:
the reference is to 'bottom of society', 'all the way down', as in homeless persons so far down that it may seem impossible for them to ever 'rise' as in get off the street/get a job.
Kirkens Korshær is weel-known for interacting at the same level as the persons/families they offer assistance. There is absolutely no superiority/authority/distance. They have shelters and food-service. They have made a huge effort assisting fugitives who 'fell through' the Danish wellfare system and ended at the bottom of society.

Example sentence(s):
  • slå (på) ng, der ligger ned EX: Do not hit a man when he is down.

    Reference: http://www.ordbogen.com
    Reference: http://www.kirkenskorshaer.dk/
CharlotteLinder
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: Native in DanishDanish
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