This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. German to English
  3. History

wirken

English translation: had a lasting impact on several levels

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:wirkte mehrfach nachhaltig
English translation:had a lasting impact on several levels
Entered by: Peter Nutting

17:37 Jan 14, 2013
German to English translations [PRO]
History
German term or phrase: wirken
I'm translating an article about the textile industry in Chemnitz for a tourist magazine.

"Die Unternehmer dieser Zeit hinterließen vielfältige Spuren in Chemnitz, die meisten waren sozial engagiert, riefen Stiftungen ins Leben, wirkten mehrfach nachhaltig"

I'm having problems with "wirkten mehrfach nachhaltig". "Acted sustainably" would be a direct translation of "wirkten nachhaltig", but what does it mean - were they committed to sustainability? And how does "mehrfach" fit in?
CGK
Local time: 20:45
had a lasting effect on many levels
Explanation:
I agree with Trudy on mehrfach.
Selected response from:

Peter Nutting
United States
Local time: 14:45
Grading comment
Thank you Peter!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +9had a lasting effect on many levels
Peter Nutting
4practice (sustainability)
Natalie Majati-Ulrich
3generate/create sustained social impact at multiple levels
Michael Martin, MA


Discussion entries: 4





  

Answers


13 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
practice (sustainability)


Explanation:
they practiced sustainability
mehrfach - in numerous occasions

Natalie Majati-Ulrich
Germany
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in GreekGreek

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Kim Metzger: ON numerous occasions
2 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

18 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +9
had a lasting effect on many levels


Explanation:
I agree with Trudy on mehrfach.

Peter Nutting
United States
Local time: 14:45
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thank you Peter!
Notes to answerer
Asker: We just had the same idea at the same time!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  philgoddard: Yes, now that we have the next sentence, it's clear this is what it means.
4 mins
  -> Thanks, Phil.
agree  Clare Bentley
1 hr
  -> Thanks, Clare
agree  Kim Metzger: Yes, forget sustainability
2 hrs
  -> Thanks, Kim.
agree  Ann C Sherwin
2 hrs
  -> Thanks, Ann.
agree  mill2
2 hrs
  -> Thanks.
agree  Ramey Rieger (X): Yes.
2 hrs
  -> Thanks.
agree  Helen Shiner: though I prefer 'impact' here.
5 hrs
  -> Thanks, Helen. I agree, 'impact' sounds better.
agree  Nicole Schnell: Impact
14 hrs
  -> Thanks, Nicole. I agree on impact.
agree  Rebecca Garber: with Helen and Nicole
21 hrs
  -> Thanks, Rebecca. I agree fully.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

33 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
generate/create sustained social impact at multiple levels


Explanation:
..., generating sustained social impact at multiple levels.

Example from link below:
"These two social entrepreneurs exemplify the ways in which a person can apply business practices and managerial disciplines in new ways to create sustained social impact."

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2013-01-14 19:41:53 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

We must also consider how this reads embedded in the whole sentence. With that in mind, I would change it slightly and use the qualifier "social' earlier on in the phrase..

"Most of them were involved in social causes, starting up charities and generating a profound/sustained impact at multiple levels."


    Reference: http://www.hbs.edu/news/releases/2010socialentrepreneurshipf...
Michael Martin, MA
United States
Local time: 14:45
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 74

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  philgoddard: This is basically the same as Peter's answer, but it also introduces unnecessary repetition in the form of "social". And the impact was not just social - the next sentence says it was architectural too.
1 hr
  -> I put "social" in there because I understood the impact to be mostly social in nature. But you're right in that I forgot to consider the beginning of the sentence..
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.

Return to KudoZ list

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:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search