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kauza

English translation: affair

11:47 Jun 2, 2011
Czech to English translations [Non-PRO]
Law/Patents - Law (general)
Czech term or phrase: kauza
I was wondering if there's any way to translate "kauza" other than "case," which is what it, strictly speaking, is. However, in Czech/Slovak, "kauza," especially when used in newspaper articles in connection with various corruption etc affairs of politicians, has richer connotations, I feel, than the rather neutral English "case." Any suggestions? Thanks!
Apolena
English translation:affair
Explanation:
"affair" is one step closer to a scandal.
For example Watergate started out as an affair eg a high-profile, public interest case and became a scandal when Nixon was seen to be guilty.
Selected response from:

Mike Birch
Local time: 00:54
Grading comment
Thanks, this was very helpful. Yes, I've been using "affair" for "kauza" often, but have been wondering if there might be something else since "kauza" seems to contain legal connotations in addition to scandal connotations, which (legal) are not inherently present in "affair"... but I might be over-thinking it all... thanks again, this answer, as well as the accompanying discussion, make me feel better about "affair."
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +4affair
Mike Birch
5cause
Maria Chmelarova
4incident / instance ...
Igor Liba


  

Answers


6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
incident / instance ...


Explanation:
*

Igor Liba
Slovakia
Local time: 01:54
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in SlovakSlovak
PRO pts in category: 32
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34 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +4
affair


Explanation:
"affair" is one step closer to a scandal.
For example Watergate started out as an affair eg a high-profile, public interest case and became a scandal when Nixon was seen to be guilty.

Mike Birch
Local time: 00:54
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench
Grading comment
Thanks, this was very helpful. Yes, I've been using "affair" for "kauza" often, but have been wondering if there might be something else since "kauza" seems to contain legal connotations in addition to scandal connotations, which (legal) are not inherently present in "affair"... but I might be over-thinking it all... thanks again, this answer, as well as the accompanying discussion, make me feel better about "affair."

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Lenka Mandryszová
4 mins
  -> Diky
agree  edward meegan: And the lightest level, before it becomes an affair, might be "situation". Nixion and his aides probably referred to "the situation" before it hit the papers.
1 hr
  -> thanks. I wonder what Sepp Blatter is calling it at the moment?
agree  vierama: funny - the asker herself has mentioned the word in the context...
2 hrs
  -> very true - lacking native speaker confidence?
agree  V. Reisova: affair is the best one.
12 hrs
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2 days 2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
cause


Explanation:
"...applies to any event, circumstance or condition that brings about or helps bring about a result..."

kauza (causa), bibendi (lat.) - príčina, dôvod (na pitie), zámienka na ....
c. morti, c. finalis - účelná príčina, účel ku ktorému sa niečo vyvíja atď.;

kauza - (práv.) - vec (spor)
(publ.) - mádiami intenzívne sledovaná sporná udalosť
(kauza skrachovanej banky)

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 days2 hrs (2011-06-04 14:07:00 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

cause - príčina - motive, reason
- dôvod - ground(s) for, reason ...

Maria Chmelarova
Local time: 19:54
Native speaker of: Slovak
PRO pts in category: 7
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