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German to English translations [PRO] Social Sciences - History
German term or phrase:mahnen – gedenken – erinnern
Title of short blurb about untoward goings-on at a German university during the NS-Zeit. I'm having trouble differentiating between the three here. Is there any way I squeeze three words in here? So far "Remember and honor" "Lest we forget"?? TIA for your help
It seems out of place to use Kipling for something this sensitive. Moreover, the German title is not poetic. It is more of a slogan, so a poetic reference is not equivalent. If a title is created rather than translating the three words, at least it should relate directly to the NS-Zeit. "Never Again" is connected to holocaust memorials, for example.
Horst Huber (X)
United States
It should more precisely be
23:54 Nov 26, 2013
"gemahnen". In that sense, "Mahnmal" replicates "monumentum". Lewis's dictionary gives "remembrancer", and also "memorial".
Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
I would be careful
17:22 Nov 26, 2013
adding to what is elf-explanatory, although I have seen "Lest we ever forget"
of the GER is to warn, admonish. And to say that we who follow will and should not forget. Without knowing the exact content of the article, it is hard to say whether there is any commemoration of victims. Lest we forget covers both eventualities without stressing either. Opting for something along the lines of 'in remembrance' loses the warning/admonishing aspect.
whatever you go with, since it's a title I think it needs to catch the reader's eye and as such a little more flexibility in translation is acceptable IMHO. In other words, would you rather read an article entitled Lest We Forget or a string of three words that do not instantly evoke the sense of the article? Just a thought
Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Lest we Forget
16:37 Nov 26, 2013
“Lest We Forget” – What does it all mean?
http://www.lestweforgetswmi.org/ Lest We Forget - three words renown across most countries to show our remembrance of those who have fought, and those who have died fighting for freedom. It means that we will never forget. More commonly known by its hundreds of organizations, poems and mottos, 'Lest we forget' is from Rudyard Kipling.....
I am in favour of using an established phrase for this to echo the established phraseology of the GER. Difficult to convey the intended gravitas otherwise, though no doubt not impossible. 'Lest we forget' is on many war memorials. Whilst Kipling was a product of his time and his work may sound colonialist now, that does not, in my view, hold true for the phrase itself.
"Lest we forget" - a little background information
14:52 Nov 26, 2013
Rudyard Kipling wrote it in his poem "Recessional" in 1897.
It became particularly popular after the Great War and became closely linked to "Remembrance Day" throughout the British Empire and, today, in the British Commonwealth. It is also sung as a hymn in NZ and Oz at remembrance services for the ANZACS in WW I and II. It does have some negative connotations as Kipling was often accused of jingoism and glorified the "Raj" and British colonialism.
Andrea Burde (X)
Canada
14:06 Nov 26, 2013
Alison, I like your solution. It is innovative but hits the nail on the proverbial head.
Perhaps? A possible option for those with reservations about the connotations of Lest we forget (see some of the contributions in this extremely interesting previous question - particulary the discussion) http://www.proz.com/kudoz/german_to_english/history/4113200-...
Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Lest we forget
12:30 Nov 26, 2013
commemorates slavery, its meaning is unmistakeable - excellent translation!
Lest We Forget sounds good to me, it encapsulates all three thoughts into one natural sounding phrase. Unless I'm mistaken we don't have an exact English translation since this phrase is used specifically in reference to that period and those problems.
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Answers
11 mins confidence:
reminder (warning) - memorial - remembrance
Explanation: The whatever it is a sign/symbol/serves as a reminder (warning) , a memorial and remembrance
Yorkshireman Germany Local time: 11:24 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 8
Explanation: These three words can all be translated remember or commemorate, but there are different nuances. Mahnen has to do with admonishing, gedenken relates to thinking of - bringing to mind - erinnern can be similar to gedenken, but also means to remind someone. How the monuments are called gives some of the nuances: A Mahnmal is a memorial or monument commemorating always something negative, evoking sadness, regret, etc. Gedenktafel is a memorial plaque that - could be negative - but also could honor or commemorate positive events/heroes. Erinnerungsausstellung - likewise could go either way - a commemorative exhibition.
srangela Local time: 05:24 Specializes in field Native speaker of: English
9 hrs confidence:
vigilance - commemoration - remembrance
Explanation: For once, this sounds better when presented as a noun phrase. See example below:
"Witnessing Genocide: Vigilance and Remembrance at Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek"
Michael Martin, MA United States Local time: 05:24 Specializes in field Native speaker of: German, English PRO pts in category: 74
22 hrs confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
admonish - remember - commemorate
Explanation: The words are simply collected from the other suggestions, but I think this puts them into order. It's like a train of thoughts:
admonish - is the warning which starts with "don't you remember when..." remember - is not as strong as "commemorate" (IMHO) but the first step towards it commemorate - wants to preserve the memory of something, therefore finishing the admonishment
btw Great suggestions everyone!
Nicole Schroth (X) Germany Local time: 11:24 Native speaker of: German
Explanation: A late suggestion, but maybe it helps! The imperative form might actually work well here.
Similar context:
“Directly connected to these ideals are the way visitors are able to reflect, remember and recall the historical significance of the Holocaust through the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.”
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