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English translation: what sort of views s.o. holds
06:35 May 18, 2016
German to English translations [PRO] Art/Literary - History
German term or phrase:Wes Geisteskind
From and article appearing in a German-language newspaper published in 1862 in Minnesota. Have transcribed the text as best I can for a Civil War historian friend of mine. I know the term has a specific meaning, but google revealed nothing definitive. TIA for your help
"Wes Geisteskind die "Arbeiterkriegsversammlung" am vergangen Donnerstag gewesen, sieht der Leser aus dem folgendem Beschlusse: "Dass wenn Diejeniger, welche nichts gethan haben, als über den Neger schwatzen, das sechste Regiment füllen, wir uns anheischig machen, in das Siebente ohne Bounty einzutreten"
Explanation: Der Duden Online ist gerade offline, aber dort wird es in etwa so erklärt:
wes Geistes Kind jemand ist ==> welcher Art jemandes Denken, jemandes Gesinnung in Wirklichkeit ist, wie jemand tatsächlich eingestellt ist: „an ihren Äußerungen erkennt man bald, wes Geistes Kind sie sind“; nach Lukas 9, 55; www.duden.de
In your context the quote shows just what sort of organisation the 'Arbeiterkriegsversammlung' is, what sort of views they hold.
Another example: Daran zeigt sich, wes Geistes Kind er ist. > That just shows what kind of person he is.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 34 mins (2016-05-18 07:10:31 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
...no-one mentioned that nowadays you write it as two words: "Geistes Kind" (Edit: Yes, I know, Thomas did in his answer, but everyone was still talking about "Geisteskind")
"wes Geistes Kind jemand ist (... welcher Art jemandes Denken, jemandes Gesinnung in Wirklichkeit ist, wie jemand tatsächlich eingestellt ist: an ihren Äußerungen erkennt man bald, wes Geistes Kind sie sind; nach Lukas 9, 55)" http://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Geist_Verstand_Destillat
Philosophy would be overinterpretation, in my opinion. Gesinnung = attitude, convictions, views.
And "Arbeiterkriegsversammlung" should be like an assembly, a gathering - you sure about "congress"? The only "Congress" I could find was the "Civil War Congress" and that's something else.
At Jonathan: I don't think you can use "born of" (unless this is confirmed by the further context), I sounds to me as though the idea was already there and the reason for calling the assembly.
Yes, I think those ideas go in the right direction, Jonathan. The author is definitely referring to a philosophy, a way of thinking, a (political) view, an ideology, but not the person or persons promolgating the philosophy. Maybe ideology fits even better than philosophy!?<br><br>Asking "wes Geistes Kind" somebody is, is not asking who they are, but what they believe in, what they stand for, what they think. That's why I don't quite like 'whoever came up with/whoever is behind' - because everyone knows who came up with it (the Arbeiterkriegsversammlung). Now the author wants to shed some light on what their views are. Hidden agenda might be another possibility.
To comprehend this idea/philosopy born of the "Workers' War Congress" last Thursday, the reader need only refer to their resolution "that if those who have done nothing more than natter on about niggers are able fill the ranks of the Sixth, then we would take it upon ourselves to join the Seventh, (even) without a bounty"
What sort of man is he? Wes Geistes Kind ist er? That (just) shows what kind of person he is. Daran zeigt sich, wes Geistes Kind er ist. http://www.dict.cc/?s=wes+Geistes+Kind
„Hier zeigt sich, wes Geistes Kind er ist…". Wenn dieser Satz fällt, dann hat er in der Regel einen wenig schmeichelhaften Unterton. Jemand hat etwas gesagt oder getan - und nun ist raus, wie er wirklich eingestellt ist. Vielleicht hat man es schon immer vermutet oder es kam tatsächlich überraschend. Jedenfalls ist jetzt für alle klar, was bisher verborgen war: Die innere Haltung, der "Geist", aus dem heraus jemand denkt, spricht und handelt. Eben "wes Geistes Kind" jemand ist.“ https://www.landeskirche-hannovers.de/evlka-de/presse-und-me... Maybe s.th. like: the real truth/story behind it?
Of course it's not a biblical reference as such, but that bible verse is (apparently) where the German phrase originates from.
I don't think 'brainchild' fits. Brainchild is the outcome, so here the 'Beschluss' is the 'brainchild' of the 'Arbeiterkriegsversammlung'. What 'wes Geistes Kind' means, though, is that this 'Beschluss' (or rather that particular quote from the 'Beschluss') shows what views the 'Arbeiterkriegsversammlung' holds. So, yes, the idea with the 'true state of mind' is definitely the right direction.
The true state of mind of the Workers War Congress held last Thursday can be best understood by the reader on the basis of their resolution "that those who have done nothing other than chatter about the niggers in order to fill the ranks of the Sixth, rather prompt us to pledge to join the Seventh, even without a bounty" Obviously a modern interpretation, which I could render more in keeping with the time, once I get the deep structure right.
I think I would start the sentence with 'The reader...' and maybe use "who is behind" , "who came up with", "who the author is..." I've always thought of "Geisteskind" along those lines. I don't think it is meant to be a biblical reference at all.
"brainchild", but am not sure that would fit 1862 US English language context. "state of mind" or similar is how I understand it in this specific instance.
Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Hi Thomas
06:59 May 18, 2016
In the text, just He rebuked them'. In the footnotes, however: You do not know what manner of spirit you are, for the Son of Man came not to destroy men's lives but to save them.
Ramey Rieger (X) Germany Local time: 07:20 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 41
26 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +2
wes Geistes Kind jemand ist
what sort of views s.o. holds
Explanation: Der Duden Online ist gerade offline, aber dort wird es in etwa so erklärt:
wes Geistes Kind jemand ist ==> welcher Art jemandes Denken, jemandes Gesinnung in Wirklichkeit ist, wie jemand tatsächlich eingestellt ist: „an ihren Äußerungen erkennt man bald, wes Geistes Kind sie sind“; nach Lukas 9, 55; www.duden.de
In your context the quote shows just what sort of organisation the 'Arbeiterkriegsversammlung' is, what sort of views they hold.
Another example: Daran zeigt sich, wes Geistes Kind er ist. > That just shows what kind of person he is.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 34 mins (2016-05-18 07:10:31 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Auch im Sinne von "showing their true face".
Thomas Pfann United Kingdom Local time: 06:20 Native speaker of: German PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Many thanks to all who contributed!
6 hrs confidence:
[tells you] where he is coming from.....
Explanation: it is always meant in a deprecating sense, from plain naiveté to unadulterated hypocrisy
the simpleton he is.... tells you something about his sick mind.... reveals his [hidden] agenda......
gangels (X) Local time: 23:20 Works in field Native speaker of: English, German PRO pts in category: 4
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peer agreement (net): +2
