amerikanischen Raum

13:52 Jan 25, 2014 

Most English speakers say America when they mean USA as well. If I was flying to NY tomorrow, I would say I'm going to America, wouldnt even think twice about it. If I was flying to Sao Paulo, I'd say I'm going to Brazil or South America. I dont think any of that matters, I would still not write USA/Canada/North America here, certainly not without asking the author first. America is fine, and maybe add a note suggesting that it would be better (in both EN and DE) to add North or USA if that is what is meant.

11:29 Jan 25, 2014 

... for all the helpful discussion and answers. I've been working on another job for a couple of days, but will get back to this next week! Schönes Wochenende!

02:54 Jan 25, 2014 

when Germans say "Amerika" they mean the U.S. This may be just an attempt to be slightly less distinct. I'd dodge the issue, and use a phrase like "American background" or "origin".

16:50 Jan 24, 2014 

but you can't be sure there is not at least one German who doesn't mean what the rest means. I would either ask the client what they mean exactly (or deduce that from the context), or maybe even go with something like 'across the Atlantic' if that fits into your text in terms of style.

12:40 Jan 24, 2014 

Can this be revealed - it might help to nail down which America(s) it's about.

Or just say America or "the other side of the Atlantic" and forget the "Raum"

12:34 Jan 24, 2014 

to clarify the issue I would say the author's expression is sloppy and he/she has to live with a broad interpretation as Alexandra suggested.

12:05 Jan 24, 2014 

Might work quite well. I suspect that what the author is talking about is the North American (US/CAN) sphere of influence (Raum) in a particular segment.

12:00 Jan 24, 2014 

...but I still don't see why, as a translator, you would have to start "interpreting" and making a choice. You could just put "America" and then leave everyone to make up their own minds...

11:57 Jan 24, 2014 

Generally they mean the USA (sometimes including Canada) - just like the use of England to describe the United Kingdom, or they say Grossbritannien without thinking that Northern Ireland is then left out.

If I say I'm from the North of England, I frequently get the response "Ach ja, Schottland".

11:45 Jan 24, 2014 

That's a valid point, but we don't know that for sure, do we? ;-) Jo, any more context around this?

11:44 Jan 24, 2014 

If the influence is political, cultural or financial, it almost certainly excludes the South American nations.

They would generally come under the heading Latin America (Central and South America)

11:31 Jan 24, 2014 

I would be careful with an assumption like this. If in doubt, "American" means North- and South American

11:30 Jan 24, 2014 

... is not normally included then?

11:24 Jan 24, 2014 

Unless there's further context provided in the text, I would err on the side of caution and interpret the term as widely as possible.