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

Halbdicken

English translation: Mezzi Testoni

12:37 Dec 16, 2014
German to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - History / 17th century, Switzerland
German term or phrase: Halbdicken
"Halbdicken" (Mezzi Testoni), 16. Jh., Bellinzona..."

This is the name of a coin. Switzerland, 16th century. Is there a translation for it? Please don't suggest 'half thick'.
sinolig
Switzerland
Local time: 17:01
English translation:Mezzi Testoni
Explanation:
It's staring you in the face
http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch/textes/i/I13691.php

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 mins (2014-12-16 12:43:57 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

In any case, the Italian sounds a bit more glamorous.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 15 mins (2014-12-16 12:52:17 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

The English equivalent appears to have been the testoon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shilling_(English_coin)#Testoon
Hence 'half testoon'

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2014-12-16 13:49:16 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellinzona#Demographics
Bellinzona (the origin of your coin): Most of the population (as of 2000) speaks Italian (87.4%), with German being second most common (3.6%)
Selected response from:

Lancashireman
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:01
Grading comment
I don't think it makes sense to use the English 'Testoon' here as that was a coin specific the Britain.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +3Mezzi Testoni
Lancashireman
3 +3Half testoon
Helen Shiner
3Halbdicken - do not translate
Yorkshireman


Discussion entries: 6





  

Answers


14 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
Half testoon


Explanation:
An EN example:

https://www.yorkcoins.com/s251_–_scotland,_mary_(1542–1567),...

In the Kingdom of Scotland, during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, the testoon and half testoon were introduced to the Scottish coinage in 1553 and 1555 respectively. The 1553 is a Scottish rarity and Mary was presented with one (this piece was EF which sold for 61 gbp during the 1850s Thornburn).[2]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shilling_(English_coin)

Helen Shiner
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:01
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 105

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Lancashireman
1 min
  -> Seems like we're all reaching the same conclusion simultaneously.
agree  seehand
2 hrs
  -> Thanks, seehand
agree  Ramey Rieger (X): Hi Helen! I would go with the translation, since the Italian is already in the ST.
18 hrs
  -> Thanks, Ramey
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

21 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Halbdicken - do not translate


Explanation:
Leave it as it is - florin, farthing, halfcrown and sixpence would very probably be left the same for collectors in other countries.

If you can find it out, just mention the value in other currency of that age in Switzerland (something like 2 Guilders, 10 rappen or whatever)

The World Repository of Manufactured Items (what a fascinating name!)
leaves the name as it is:
http://www.romfi.com/category.cfm?category=\0NW7L6SL%24%2C%3B%2F%245_ABBJ0.K%2CL%401J\3%292%20%20%20%0A

Yorkshireman
Germany
Local time: 17:01
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Lancashireman: Mezzo agree for this approach. Except that Halbdicken is already a translation of Mezzi Testoni.
59 mins
  -> Mezzo grazie raggazi!
neutral  Helen Shiner: Could be left as is, but I feel it would still need an explanation/translation in/to EN.
1 day 4 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
Mezzi Testoni


Explanation:
It's staring you in the face
http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch/textes/i/I13691.php

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 mins (2014-12-16 12:43:57 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

In any case, the Italian sounds a bit more glamorous.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 15 mins (2014-12-16 12:52:17 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

The English equivalent appears to have been the testoon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shilling_(English_coin)#Testoon
Hence 'half testoon'

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2014-12-16 13:49:16 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellinzona#Demographics
Bellinzona (the origin of your coin): Most of the population (as of 2000) speaks Italian (87.4%), with German being second most common (3.6%)

Lancashireman
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:01
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 252
Grading comment
I don't think it makes sense to use the English 'Testoon' here as that was a coin specific the Britain.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Helen Shiner: I guess the Italian will stand, but I think the EN version could replace the Halbdicken bit. Great minds ....
14 mins
agree  philgoddard
59 mins
agree  seehand
2 hrs
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