zogenaamd

English translation: No translation or commonly referred to as

15:20 Aug 16, 2011
Dutch to English translations [Non-PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Dutch term or phrase: zogenaamd
Many people (and Van Dale) translate this as 'so-called' which is generally pejorative in English - a 'so-called language expert'. My feeling is that zogenaamd in Dutch is neutral - 'een zogenaamde wervelwind' - which I suggest would come across better as something like 'a whirlwind as it is known'.

Any comments?
Ralph Houston (X)
Local time: 07:30
English translation:No translation or commonly referred to as
Explanation:
I decide on a per case basis. Either I do not translate it (after all, if it is called like this, then it is called like this) or I use something like commonly referred to as xxx.
Selected response from:

Marijke Singer
Spain
Local time: 08:30
Grading comment
'so-called' in English is generally pejorative
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +4No translation or commonly referred to as
Marijke Singer
5 +1called/known as
Liesbeth Blom-Smith
3 -1supposed,ostensible(y)
W Schouten


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): -1
supposed,ostensible(y)


Explanation:
are possibilities

W Schouten
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:30
Native speaker of: Native in DutchDutch, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 16

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  MoiraB: doesn't work here
49 mins

disagree  writeaway: 100% incorrect.
2 hrs

neutral  Tina Vonhof (X): that would mean that people may call it a 'wervelwind' but that's not what it is.
23 hrs
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7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
called/known as


Explanation:
Ik snap wat je bedoelt, maar het hangt wel van de context af of 'so-called' echt een ongunstige betekenis heeft, het kan ook neutraal overkomen, zoals in jouw voorbeeld, 'a so-called whirlwind'. Daarbij denk je toch echt niet aan een wervelwind met pretensies! Maar goed, mogelijke suggesties zijn: '|(also) known as a whirlwind' of '(often) called a whirlwind'.

Liesbeth Blom-Smith
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:30
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in DutchDutch
PRO pts in category: 8

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tina Vonhof (X): Good option.
59 mins
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21 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
No translation or commonly referred to as


Explanation:
I decide on a per case basis. Either I do not translate it (after all, if it is called like this, then it is called like this) or I use something like commonly referred to as xxx.

Marijke Singer
Spain
Local time: 08:30
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 18
Grading comment
'so-called' in English is generally pejorative
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Marijke


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Dave Greatrix
38 mins
  -> Thanks, Dave1

agree  Lianne van de Ven
40 mins
  -> Thanks, Lianne!

agree  Tina Vonhof (X): Good option.
44 mins
  -> Thanks, Tina!

agree  AllisonK (X): yep
15 hrs
  -> Thanks, Allison!
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