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Wow what a discussion. By the way, which audience is your translation for?
Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
When in doubt
14:50 Aug 27, 2015
trust OED, Webster's & Co.
oa_xxx (X)
Germany
14:37 Aug 27, 2015
My mother ran an academic library for many years (one of the links I posted below) - "fine" is what is commonly used in the academic world at least ("its not a service!") - it is supposed to be punitive and NOT nice - students and academics returning books late is a huge problem. It might be different in a DVD rental place where you may not want to risk losing your customers so couch it in nicer terms. An administration fee, a fee for renewing books (i.e. services provided) but not for breaking the rules. Funny tho how we can all see something so simple so differently!
oa_xxx (X)
Germany
14:25 Aug 27, 2015
Even Oxford uses fine: "The majority of Bodleian Libraries charge the following level of fines which apply to all categories of readers with the exception of waivers which have been agreed due to individual circumstances." Donation underway Ramey ;)
Daniel Arnold (X)
Australia
14:13 Aug 27, 2015
I have to say that I cam 100% OK with late charge as well. It doesnt really make much of a difference. Late fee, late charge, depends what you like better and maybe what's more commonly used in your client's locality.
Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Just for the heck of it
14:07 Aug 27, 2015
I asked Google to define late fee. The first few hits refer to credit card or bank payments. Wiki defines it by referring back to late fine. To please everyone (never happens), I would use overdue CHARGE. Fee is simply out of the question for me, as it is simply improper use of the word, regardless of how common it may be. Save My Language Foundation - you can send your donation directly to me :-)!
Daniel Arnold (X)
Australia
13:53 Aug 27, 2015
I think overdue fine would i.e. be used when you dont file your tax return on time. Thats a more punitive approach. I would OK "late filing fine" if we are talking about a tax return. But in the circumstances of a library/rental I would prefer late fee. Sounds much nicer, less punitive.
Daniel Arnold (X)
Australia
13:50 Aug 27, 2015
Yes it is a penalty, but still I would use late fee. I think late fine or overdue fine is simply a language that wouldnt be used in this setting. I havent seen it posted as a fine anywhere I have been but I am very familiar with the late fee, from DVD rentals, ski rental, library, rental of construction tools etc. I can only give my best advise and that is to use late fee. Cheers and all the best with it.
Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
@Daniel
13:40 Aug 27, 2015
But it IS a penalty for bringing your books back late.
Yes, fines is what I know too (IRL/UK) - fee would of course be understood and is very common but is actually an incorrect use of the word, in fact its a contradiction in terms the more I think about it... but can't disagree either as there are too many reputable/reliable sources that use it... my choice would still be fine. http://www.dit.ie/library/a-z/fines/ https://www.tcd.ie/Library/using-library/fines.php
a charge or payment for professional services http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fee Not applicable as no service is being rendered. It is a charge levied as a deterrent, i.e. a fine.
I guess they don't know that they should charge fines: http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/atoz/o/overdue-library-boo... To make sure books are returned on time for enjoyment by other readers, all our libraries charge a fee for books that are returned late. This is 20p per book per day up to a maximum charge of £8.00.
Books borrowed by people aged 0-19 and homebound customers do not incur any overdue charges.
'Fee' is most definitely not the term used in British libraries. It's a 'fine'. A 'late fee' would be something a solicitor charged after you thought you had received your final invoice.
Daniel Arnold (X)
Australia
17:02 Aug 26, 2015
Late fee ist in UK und AUS der gängige Begriff. Late charge kann man auch nehmen.
Daniel Arnold (X)
Australia
17:01 Aug 26, 2015
Fine würde ich nur in einem Bestrafungskontext hernehmen, nicht für eine Überziehung. Wird auch nicht fine genannt in Libraries etc.
Daniel Arnold (X)
Australia
17:01 Aug 26, 2015
Fine würde ich nur in einem Bestrafungskontext hernehmen, nicht für eine Überziehung. Wird auch nicht fine genannt in Libraries etc.
peer agreement (net): +4