gevangenencommando

English translation: prisoner detail

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Dutch term or phrase:gevangenencommando
English translation:prisoner detail
Entered by: Alexander Schleber (X)

07:44 May 30, 2014
Dutch to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Military / Defense / Executive MBA on organisa
Dutch term or phrase: gevangenencommando
In a work about concentration camp experiences, I have to translate the Dutch word 'commando' regularly into (British) English. I can often use the English 'detail', but I have now come across this expression 'gevangenencommando' which literally means 'prisoners command'. I do not think the word 'command' being used here in English is in the proper sense. The whole context of this expression is:

Het vrouwelijke gevangenencommando vertrok op 4 mei 1943 vanaf Ravensbrück en kwam op 8 mei 1943 in Stiermarken aan.

Does anyone have any idea how to translate this expression properly?

This expression occurs in a book (Ph D thesis) about the Holocaust which was originally published in (Austrian) German, and has already been translated into Dutch (Netherlands). The book is to be published in English.
Evelyn Hunck-Irving
Netherlands
Local time: 23:01
prisoner detail
Explanation:
www.wartimememories.co.uk/germany.html

A group of soldiers or prisoners is usually referred to as a detail.
Selected response from:

Alexander Schleber (X)
Belgium
Local time: 23:01
Grading comment
Thanks, I have found all comments very useful, but here I will use 'group'.
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +3prisoner detail
Alexander Schleber (X)
4gang [of woman/female prisoners/inmates]
Evgeny Artemov (X)
3prisoners command
Laurens Sipahelut
3(all female) prisoners
freekfluweel


Discussion entries: 24





  

Answers


25 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
prisoner detail


Explanation:
www.wartimememories.co.uk/germany.html

A group of soldiers or prisoners is usually referred to as a detail.

Alexander Schleber (X)
Belgium
Local time: 23:01
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 3
Grading comment
Thanks, I have found all comments very useful, but here I will use 'group'.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  freekfluweel: Asker specifically asked for a word OTHER than detail.
18 mins
  -> She did? Really??

agree  Kitty Brussaard: Or if a different translation is preferred by asker in this specific case: The transport of female prisoners departed from (...).
2 hrs

agree  Barend van Zadelhoff: "a crew of workers selected for a particular task"
1 day 4 hrs

agree  Michael Beijer: Agree with Kitty (‘transport of female prisoners’) and Barend (‘crew’). I also think ‘party’ (Evgeny) and ‘group’ would also do. I also think ‘gang’ (as in ‘work gang’) is correct.
1 day 4 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

46 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
prisoners command


Explanation:
This term is used in the link given below.


    Reference: http://www.deathcamps.org/gas_chambers/gas_chambers_auschwit...
Laurens Sipahelut
Indonesia
Local time: 05:01
Native speaker of: Native in IndonesianIndonesian, Native in DutchDutch
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
(all female) prisoners


Explanation:
In the sentence given in the question.

BUT be aware that "commando" in the thesis has several meanings!!!

see d-box

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 uren (2014-05-30 10:13:10 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

ALL female prisoners. Prisoners to be divided in "sub-commando's" at camp such as "buitencommando/bewakingscommando etc."


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 uren (2014-05-30 10:15:12 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

But in this sentence it means "prisoners' board":

"Het nieuwe gevangenencommando was grotendeels samengesteld uit vaklieden."

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 uren (2014-05-30 10:29:58 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

or opt for a more general meaning:

selected prisoners

(like a designated hitter in baseball...)

freekfluweel
Netherlands
Local time: 23:01
Native speaker of: Native in DutchDutch
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  writeaway: nice bit of footwork, here, there and everywhere
32 mins
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

19 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
gang [of woman/female prisoners/inmates]


Explanation:
*

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2014-05-30 10:30:53 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

As for the "coming", I'd rather use "the party of female prisoners".

Evgeny Artemov (X)
South Africa
Local time: 00:01
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in RussianRussian

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  writeaway: gang of prisoners. novel approach in the context/party sounds just as strange in the context, but as native Anglo, my opinion doesn't really count for much in this pair
2 hrs
  -> I amended. A "party". "Gang" applies to resident inmates divided into gangs for various sorts of work.
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.

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:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search