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I agree with Teresa; but in the final analysis, we have to rely on the Indian authorities here (and I think we can...) to know that "satisfactory" is a better grade than "adequate", though your dictionary definition doesn't make this clear. Neither does mine, for that matter, but these terms have surely been in global use as grades for long enough?
@Teresa re the ATA article mentioned above: Is this article anywhere available on the Internet? This would be an interesting read for sure, so I would really like to have a look at it. Could you possibly tell me where I can get it? Or could you send it to me via my profile page? Would be great! Thank you very much in advance.
You have a point there, Teresa. I agree. However, I do think the translation "satisfactory" may in order here because the original copy of this diploma will be attached to my translation. So it will be up to the university in India to decide what "satisfactory" or "befriedigend" means to them. According to my dictionary, "satisfactory" means "good enough for a particular purpose". The Indian university will have to decide whether or not this grade will be good enough to meet their requirements.
on this recently. I have worked at universities in 5 countries for 30 years, and I still don't translate diplomas. We are potentially dealing with a person's career, livelihood or life (and it's certainly NOT non-Pro...) Sorry about the rant, but...
source and target systems and THEIR bases for grading; 4. This also includes "era" - an adult German may have received a grade of "Befriedigend" that, due to rampant grade inflation, would equate a higher grade in the US. ATA had a very pertinent article
I beg to differ very strongly with most statements (except Ilse's) - 1. this is not a kid's report card; 2. Grades should never be translated becuase there are NO easy equivalences 3. Explanations should be given ONLY based on a thorough knowledge of
On a diploma, I don't think it's necessary to go into a detailed explanation of how 'satisfactory' was arrived at. These papers are often accompanied by a separate page with the individual (numerical) grades and their explanation in the German system.
@sylvie: The target audience is located in India. I must admit I don't know much about their education system. However, the grade "satisfactory" is a good explanation in itself. Apart form this, shouldn't I leave it up to the university in India to decide what their understanding of "satisfactory" is? They will be aware of the meaning of the word "satisfactory", won't they?
sylvie malich (X)
Germany
@ Christian: It's not that easy. Grading systems vary according to US state for example. In a footnote I would explain/translate the system according to the target audience.
@sylvie: So you wouldn't "translate"/explain the grade "satisfactory" either, would you?
sylvie malich (X)
Germany
David, I have my daughter's Zeugnis here (she's at a German-American school) and the system is translated as follows. sehr gut: very good, gut: good, befriedigend: satisfactory, ausreichend: adequate, mangelhaft: poor/failing, ungenügend: absolute fail
I also think this grade doesn't need explaining. However, as far as numerical grades are concerned ("1", "2" etc.), it might be a good idea to tell the reader of the translation what these grades actually mean. Example: 1 - Excellent; 2 - Good; 3 - Satisfactory etc. Grade "1" is the best grade you can get in many parts of the world, but there are exceptions to this rule. The grade "Satisfactory", however, is readily understood in all four corners of the world, so there's no need to explain it. Just my 2 cents.
For example: Nicht genügend (Fail): 49 % and lower Genügend (Satisfactory): 50 - 60% Befriedigend (Good): 61 - 70% Gut (Very Good): 71 - 80% Sehr good (Excellent): 81 and above (this is just an example)
09:12 Jun 2, 2006
David Moore (X)
@Ilse: IMO, this doesn't need explaining; the terms in English are AFAIR are Excellent/outstanding; good; satisfactory; adequate; and inadequate. Mind you, I am talking of twenty years or so ago when my daughter was at school...
Good point, but how should I explain what "satisfactory" means? I think the grade "satisfactory" makes it sufficiently clear that the student's achievements were neither "(very) good" nor "(very) poor", but something in between. How would you "translate" this grade into English?
I agree with Teresa; but in the final analysis, we have to rely on the Indian authorities here (and I think we can...) to know that "satisfactory" is a better grade than "adequate", though your dictionary definition doesn't make this clear. Neither does mine, for that matter, but these terms have surely been in global use as grades for long enough?
David Moore (X) Local time: 20:16 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 61
Grading comment
Thank you, David.
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peer agreement (net): +2