This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. Norwegian to English
  3. Transport / Transportation / Shipping

postbud

English translation: mail carrier

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Norwegian term or phrase:postbud
English translation:mail carrier
Entered by: Richard Green

16:04 Jun 27, 2013
Norwegian to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Transport / Transportation / Shipping / Mail delivery
Norwegian term or phrase: postbud
This is a report about mail delivery in Norway. I would dearly love to translate this as "postman", but I know that it won't be accepted by the client.

Does anyone have any nice, succinct alternatives which are better than "postman/woman" or "mail delivery operative". I don't think "postal worker" will be sufficient, unfortunately, as we're looking specifically at the delivery of mail rather than other aspects of the Norwegian postal service.

Many thanks in advance.

Richard
Richard Green
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:20
mail carrier
Explanation:
This is the American term given in my dictionary. Maybe that could work.
Selected response from:

Norskpro
Norway
Local time: 09:20
Grading comment
This answer receives the points because it is gender neutral, which is what I intimated I wanted, regardless of what the client has said it prefers, and also it is a more specific translation of what a "postbud" does, i.e., carry mail to the final address and pick up mail to go to the sorting office. "Letter carrier" implies only letters, rather than other items, while "postal worker" could be any sort of task, from sorting, loading, logistics, as well as the postman/woman/mail carrier.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +3mail carrier
Norskpro
5postal worker
Peter Smedskjaer-Stenland
5letter carrier
Charlesp
5mail man
Peter Smedskjaer-Stenland
3postman/postma'am
Charlesp


Discussion entries: 10





  

Answers


8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
mail carrier


Explanation:
This is the American term given in my dictionary. Maybe that could work.

Norskpro
Norway
Local time: 09:20
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in NorwegianNorwegian
PRO pts in category: 6
Grading comment
This answer receives the points because it is gender neutral, which is what I intimated I wanted, regardless of what the client has said it prefers, and also it is a more specific translation of what a "postbud" does, i.e., carry mail to the final address and pick up mail to go to the sorting office. "Letter carrier" implies only letters, rather than other items, while "postal worker" could be any sort of task, from sorting, loading, logistics, as well as the postman/woman/mail carrier.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  kyrrelaastad (X): Or postal carrier. See here for more info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail_carrier
31 mins
agree  jeffrey engberg: postman, mailman, letter-carrier....
38 mins
agree  eodd: I don't see why the client is so resistent to the use of postman. Mailman or mail carrier are fine if they want US English. See http://utdanning.no/yrker/beskrivelse/postbud
51 mins
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

20 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
postal worker


Explanation:
Postal worker is the USPS term for an employee of the USPS, including mail carriers.

Peter Smedskjaer-Stenland
Faroe Islands
Local time: 08:20
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, but this is too broad.

Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 days 45 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
letter carrier


Explanation:
Apparently, "letter carrier" was the official term in the UK, and perhaps we'll bring it back.


"In the Royal Mail, the official name changed from "letter carrier" to "postman" in 1883 ... "

Please not the term "postie" -- and "Postal Service Mail Carrier" (really!).

"Postal Carrier" also sounds odd.

And since you want gender neutral, "mail lady" ain't gonna work. But then why not "postman/postwoman" ?

I still say "mail carrier" is too American. --- even though "mail carrier" would be understood.


    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail_carrier
Charlesp
Sweden
Local time: 09:20
Native speaker of: English
Notes to answerer
Asker: A good suggestion, Charles, although letters excludes things like small packets and parcels which "mail carriers" sometimes also deliver as part of their round.

Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
postman/postma'am


Explanation:
Well, it's a suggestion.

Even not one commonly in use.


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2013-06-27 17:06:39 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

ok, then how about "post lady"?

Nah, how about postman/postwoman ?

Nah, I like my first suggestion better.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 days46 mins (2013-06-29 16:50:07 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I know I should delete this, as otherwise it is a situation of multiple answers.

Howeve I still like my suggestion of postman/postma'am.

Charlesp
Sweden
Local time: 09:20
Native speaker of: English
Notes to answerer
Asker: Another fine suggestion Charles, which I think would fit well in a more literary context, although I've had to be a bit more "mainstream" here.

Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 days 20 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
mail man


Explanation:
Resubmitting my first answer, since it turns out gender neutrality is not needed after all.

Peter Smedskjaer-Stenland
Faroe Islands
Local time: 08:20
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search