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  3. Economics

Profanierung

15:36 Nov 6, 2007
This question was closed without grading. Reason: Answer found elsewhere

German to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Economics
German term or phrase: Profanierung
Es wird ein Prozess der Verallgemeinerung und *Profanierung* unternehmerischen Handelns festgestellt, der den gesellschaftlichen Stellenwert des Unternehmertums grundlegend verändert.

Die *Profanierung* des unternehmerischen Anspruchs zeigt sich im Rahmen von Projektstrukturen, in denen Mitarbeiter aller Ebenen gehalten sind, innovative Ressourcenkombinationen zu entwickeln.

The paper is about changes in entrepreneurship in modern society. "Profanierung", as I understand it, refers to what might also be termed "Veralltäglichung" in German. The idea here is that economic actors at various levels (executives, workers, etc.) are expected to act in ways commonly associated with the entrepreneur. In this sense, entrepreneurial action has become a commonplace demand. If I am correct, this is what is to be expressed by "Profanierung".

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions. Thanks in advance!
Stephan Elkins
United States
Local time: 09:54


Summary of answers provided
3 +2profanation/secularisation
Benjamin Outram
2 +2(downward) spead
Armorel Young
3commoditization
jccantrell


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
commoditization


Explanation:
Not my area, really, and I know, this term refers to when a product becomes commonplace. However, I think you may also be able to work it in when talking about thought processes and actions.

The second link says:
"If you're doing business today, you're probably feeling the effects of globalization. More and more, buying decisions are based on price alone, reducing all products and services to the commodity level. How do you escape this commoditization trap and prosper? Not in any of the ways you're used to - like working harder and longer."

So they do talk about services. You may have to put it in quotes, though.

Good luck.


    Reference: http://libcom.org/library/commoditization-science
    Reference: http://maryduwe.com/content_coaching.htm
jccantrell
United States
Local time: 00:54
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
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25 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5 peer agreement (net): +2
(downward) spead


Explanation:
You're quite right, Duden (Fremdwörter) implies that the word means "Veralltäglichung" and I would have suggested "generalization" if that wasn't in use already. But from the example then given about entrepreneurship being expected of lower levels (and I don't seem how "commoditization" can apply to that), "downward spread" might fit (or even "outward spread", for that matter).

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Note added at 3 hrs (2007-11-06 18:40:46 GMT)
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I mean "spread", of course.

Armorel Young
Local time: 08:54
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 21

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Ingeborg Gowans (X): "spread" yes
1 hr
agree  Steffen Walter: How about "cascading", which implies the downward direction whilst being business buzz?
16 hrs
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43 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
profanation/secularisation


Explanation:
Interesting to see this used in a non faith-related sense. Both profanation and secularisation have their roots in depriving something of its sacred character in a religious sense, but can be (and increasingly are) transplanted and used to mean simply a degrading/cheapening/dissolve of boundaries. Hope this helps somewhat.

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Note added at 1 day45 mins (2007-11-07 16:22:29 GMT)
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I think something along those lines would be fine, though you might want to put profanation in inverted commas (i.e. "profanation"), as it's being used a bit outside its normal context.

Benjamin Outram
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:54
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks for your response! Do you think a literal translation as profanation would be appropriate in this context? Something along the lines of "The generalization and profanation of entrepreneurial action will be identified as a process fundamentally altering the social significance of entrepreneurship".


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Brigitte Keen-Matthaei
17 mins
agree  Kieran McCann: 'secularisation' much better in English than 'profanation' in a figurative sense
1 day 19 hrs
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