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Glossary entry

German term or phrase:

vorzuwerfen

English translation:

to be faulted for

Added to glossary by William Boletta
Feb 17, 2016 08:37
8 yrs ago
5 viewers *
German term

vorzuwerfen

German to English Law/Patents Law (general)
I would appreciate some help with the translation of the following phrases:

Herrn A ist vorzuwerfen, dass

Gegen Herrn B ist vorzubringen, dass

Herrn C ist vorzuhalten, dass

The context is an investigation by a government agency prior to any legal proceedings.

Thus, the context is not exactly legal, but close.

My take is that the three words (vorwerfen, vorbingen, vorhalten) are roughly synonymous in German but could be translated in a variety of ways in English. Still, the nuances would be different.

Here are my attempts:

a) It could be alleged that Mr A . . .

b) Mr A could/should be accused of . . .

c) Mr A could/should be taken to task for . . .

d) Mr A is to blame that . . .

Any help from you cognoscenti out there would be appreciated.

Many thanks,

William
Proposed translations (English)
3 +1 to be faulted for
4 can be accused of
3 to be alleged against
3 -1 charged with
4 -3 reproach

Discussion

philgoddard Feb 17, 2016:
This is tricky because it may require a lot of context, perhaps more than the asker is able to provide. The entire document would be ideal! But I agree that we don't have nearly enough to go on at the moment.
AllegroTrans Feb 17, 2016:
Context please From your document, can you say that if proceedings are commenced, whether they will be criminal or civil (or even both)? I think this information is needed for you to get the correct term
Adrian MM. (X) Feb 17, 2016:
The context: civ./fraud> court martial > crim. The translation can go different ways, depending on the nature of the investigation.

Proposed translations

+1
9 hrs
Selected

to be faulted for

I think the following would all work well enough..

Herrn A ist vorzuwerfen, dass
Mr A is to be faulted for…

Gegen Herrn B ist vorzubringen, dass
Mr. B is vulnerable to criticism that…

Herrn C ist vorzuhalten, dass
Mr. C. must face criticism that
Note from asker:
Many thanks for all of your comments. I quickly got rid of could, might, or may as a result. I think Michael Martin’s suggestions are the most appropriate ones for my context because the issue in this translation is accountability, not guilt. The context is an evaluation by a governmental regulator of an outside report. As a result of the report, they concluded that top management of a financial insitution had consistenly looking the other way while employees at a lower level actually committed the (rather egregious) crimes. This document does not indict or press charges, but merely puts the feet of the higher-ups to the fire verbally for their willful negligence (excuse the mixed metaphor). Wm
Peer comment(s):
agree Ingrid Velleine : This is the best option - as this is more a moral statement about a moral issue or fault, not a criminal charge or accusation.
8 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Many thanks for all of your comments. I quickly got rid of could, might, or may as a result. I think Michael Martin’s suggestions are the most appropriate ones for my context because the issue in this translation is accountability, not guilt. The context is an evaluation by a governmental regulator of an outside report. As a result of the report, they concluded that top management of a financial insitution had consistenly looking the other way while employees at a lower level actually committed the (rather egregious) crimes. This document does not indict or press charges, but merely puts the feet of the higher-ups to the fire verbally for their willful negligence (excuse the mixed metaphor). Wm"
6 mins

can be accused of

vorwerfen is quite strong in German, as are all the others, so I would not use could or would in this context but can or may or must, as this is an accusation and not a mere theoretical statement.
is alleged to have ... is too weak in my view.
Peer comment(s):
disagree Andrew Bramhall : Gegen Herrn A kann vorgeworfen werden dass, ....?? // not 'can' under any circumstances;
2 mins
agree Adrian MM. (X) : if criminal, namely a police-type interview under a US: Miranda warning/caution *plus* civil/fraud/public enquiry or post-mortem inquest. 'Legal proceedings' is highly ambiguous.
2 hrs
Something went wrong...
7 mins

to be alleged against

It is to be alleged against Mr A that...
Mr B is to be accused of ...

Don't see where you get ' could/ should' from on the context evidence you produce?
Something went wrong...
-1
17 mins

charged with

I am more inclined to go with
"Mr A is charged with..."... and
"what must be stated in the case against Mr A is...
and use "remonstrate" or "reproached" for "vorzuhalten"
Sources inter alia - DIETL
Peer comment(s):
disagree Andrew Bramhall : NO, that's ' vorzubringen' or ' vorzuhalten'; the question here is ' vorwerfen'; you're not suggesting all 3 should be taken to mean the same, are you?
3 mins
agree Adrian MM. (X) : if crim. and not civ.: is chargeable with... having....
2 hrs
Thank you, Adrian.
neutral philgoddard : This is ambiguous. It could mean accused of, or has had criminal charges brought against him.
5 hrs
It is indeed. We would have to know more details of the offense.
disagree Ingrid Velleine : Definitely not a charge - which is what a judge does.
17 hrs
Something went wrong...
-3
35 mins

reproach

Mr. A could be reproached for ....
Peer comment(s):
disagree Armorel Young : A reproach is just a telling off - this is about investigations before legal proceedings, so legal terminology is needed. And there is no "could" about it - the German is IST vorzuhalten.
9 mins
disagree Andrew Bramhall : Really not;
3 hrs
disagree AllegroTrans : Not the language of legal proceedings, either criminal or civil
3 hrs
Something went wrong...
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