Gibt es "echte" Satanisten?

English translation: Do 'true' Satanists (actually) exist?

16:55 Oct 23, 2009
German to English translations [Non-PRO]
Esoteric practices
German term or phrase: Gibt es "echte" Satanisten?
I realize this is a simple phrase, but it was translated elsewhere for me rather clunkily as "Is there really such a thing as 'true' Satanists"? I'd like to avoid both the plural/singular mismatch there as well as using "thing" to refer to human beings.

Any simple and elegant solutions that maintain the simplicity of the original and sound natural in English? A non-PRO question for sure, but I'm not happy with my solutions. Thanks.
BrettMN
Local time: 12:47
English translation:Do 'true' Satanists (actually) exist?
Explanation:
Might work.
Selected response from:

Jon Reynolds
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:47
Grading comment
Thanks, Jon!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +4Do 'true' Satanists (actually) exist?
Jon Reynolds
4Is there such a thing as a 'real' Satanist?
Bianca Marsden-Day


  

Answers


11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +4
Do 'true' Satanists (actually) exist?


Explanation:
Might work.

Jon Reynolds
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:47
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Grading comment
Thanks, Jon!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Rolf Keiser
2 mins

agree  Audrey Foster (X)
10 mins

agree  franglish
1 hr

agree  Lonnie Legg: Truly.
2 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

19 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Gibt es \"echte\" Satanisten?
Is there such a thing as a 'real' Satanist?


Explanation:
If it's the singular/plural mismatch that worries you, I think this works. I also don't think 'thing' is problematic when referring to a human being in a sentence like this one. However, if you really don't like it, then perhaps "Do 'real' Satanists exist?" would do it. My preference would be for my original suggestion, though!

Bianca Marsden-Day
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:47
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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