Impulsgeber

English translation: catalyst, driving force, stimulator, momentum

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Impulsgeber
English translation:catalyst, driving force, stimulator, momentum
Entered by: BrigitteHilgner

09:51 Jul 22, 2014
German to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Economics / exports, BIP
German term or phrase: Impulsgeber
I have to confess that I don't have to translate the word but I'm wondering what would be the best English expression given the context.
I came across the term while reading an article in today's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
(http://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/wirtschaftspolitik/kon...

It's about the economic situation in Germany which is fine but endangered. The essential context is the following:

"Die erste Gefahr geht vom Ausland aus. Die Erholung im Euroraum verläuft längst nicht so stabil wie erhofft. In Portugal genügten Spekulationen über den Zustand der Finanzgruppe Espírito Santo, um die Finanzmärkte in
ernsthafte Unruhe zu versetzen. Welche Folgen hätte es da erst, wenn der Stresstest der Währungshüter der Europäischen Zentralbank im Herbst weitere unsolide Banken enttarnt? Die akute Phase der Krise mag
ausgestanden sein, die Rückkehr zur Normalität jedoch ist in weiter Ferne. Die Volkswirtschaften Frankreich und Italien stagnieren, Spanien hat sich zwar Luft verschafft, doch die Investitionen für neue Arbeitsplätze und nachhaltiges Wachstum bleiben bislang aus. Auch im Euroraum als Ganzes zeigten Produktion und Stimmung der Industrie nach unten."

Then comes the sentence in question:

"Für Deutschland bedeutet das: Diese wichtigen Handelspartner fallen als IMPULSGEBER für die Exportwirtschaft aus, die schwächelnden deutschen Ausfuhren in diese Länder sind ein sicheres Indiz dafür."

"driver"? "trigger"? Yes, I've looked at all entries in the kudoz glossary and online dictionaries but most terms don't seem to fit the context.

All suggestions appreciated. Thank you very much in advance.
BrigitteHilgner
Austria
Local time: 07:29
catalyst
Explanation:
...sehe ich sehr häufig, bisweilen wird es als "Katalysator" übersetzt, bevorzugt aber auch mit "Impuls(e)" oder "Impulsgeber", gerade im Finanzbereich.

Das sei mal so spontan in die Runde geworfen, aber vielleicht lässt sich für den speziellen Kontext noch etwas anderes finden.
Selected response from:

Alexandra Blatz
Germany
Local time: 07:29
Grading comment
Vielen Dank für den anregenden Vorschlag, mit dem ich mich erst anfreunden musste - aber man lernt ja nie aus!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +2catalyst
Alexandra Blatz
3 +2providing momentum
Ramey Rieger (X)
3stimulators
Michael Martin, MA


Discussion entries: 7





  

Answers


6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
catalyst


Explanation:
...sehe ich sehr häufig, bisweilen wird es als "Katalysator" übersetzt, bevorzugt aber auch mit "Impuls(e)" oder "Impulsgeber", gerade im Finanzbereich.

Das sei mal so spontan in die Runde geworfen, aber vielleicht lässt sich für den speziellen Kontext noch etwas anderes finden.

Alexandra Blatz
Germany
Local time: 07:29
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Vielen Dank für den anregenden Vorschlag, mit dem ich mich erst anfreunden musste - aber man lernt ja nie aus!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Steffen Walter: Finde ich hier passend ("export catalyst[s]").
13 mins

neutral  Lancashireman: Price reductions, faster delivery or more favourable terms and conditions might be a catalyst for boosting trade. Hard to see how the customers themselves (Handelspartner) could be cast in this role, however.
9 hrs

agree  Derek Ferrari-Frankland (X): Perfect, I like your solution!
21 hrs
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
providing momentum


Explanation:
But specifically for this context because of 'ausfallen'. 'Impulsgeber' is generally a positive attribute, a motivating person/group endorsing progress. Since in this context the trade partners are not in possession of this ability, I've turned it into an adverbial phrase ...are not capable/will not of providing/provide momentum

Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Local time: 07:29
Native speaker of: English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  freekfluweel: Weil der dkfmmuc glänzt durch seine Abwesenheit
2 hrs
  -> Thanks, my dear! Keep cool!

neutral  Lancashireman: ‘Impuls’ is the initial push or shove. ‘Momentum’ comes later when the process is already underway.
7 hrs
  -> Well, as I understand it, the process IS underway but limply so.

agree  dkfmmuc: 100 % Zustimmung. @freekfluweel: Sorry für meine Abwesenheit. Bin gestern in einer Softwarebeschreibung/Bedienungsanleitung "versunken" :eek: @Ramey: WOW!
21 hrs
  -> Thank you, dkfmmuc, good things take time?
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10 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
stimulators


Explanation:
Compare with example below:

"The US Federal Reserve has replaced China as stimulator-in-chief."

I don't think any of the European economies named above have ever been a driving force behind German exports, neither individually or collectively. They are just not big enough. Recently, the only economy of singular importance for German exports was China..


    Reference: http://seekingalpha.com/article/2224483-the-central-bank-boo...
Michael Martin, MA
United States
Local time: 01:29
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Lancashireman: Source text: "Diese wichtigen Handelspartner..." (plural)
1 hr
  -> The German qualifier 'wichtig' wouldn't require me to change 'stimulator'. If your point is to suggest 'driving force' instead, I'd still say that even 'wichtige Handelspartner' (there's a lot of them) doesn't reach the level of driving force

neutral  Cilian O'Tuama: either/or, neither/nor, neither here nor there. But your English is still quite good. Respect.
2 hrs
  -> Blimey! That was insightful. Now the only thing missing (as usual) is comments on the substance of my contribution. A little too taxing for some of us..?
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