Dutch to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Business/Commerce (general) / fiction | | Dutch term or phrase: bediendenkantoor | | "...Die geen vakantie hadden waren toen juist in het bediendenkantoor. Er viel even een stilte, de machines zwegen..." |
| burak sengirKudoZ activityQuestions: 74 ( 1 open) ( 3 without valid answers) Answers: 0
Turkey
| | Local time: 09:51
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| | employee offices | Explanation:
"Bediende" is an outdated word (1890-1945, see 21 google references). Typically, not necessarily, bedienden were employees at law and notary offices (in the Netherlands), but in general it refers to employees at any type of office or business. They are supportive staff. Bediendenkantoor is 'where they work'.
Today the word would be 'het medewerkerskantoor' if referring to a building where supportive staff/employees are housed. Directiekantoor would be where upper staff/upper management has offices. Also hoofdkantoor - corporate offices.
If you are translating the book and need a word that fits that time....I don't know.
Or do you just need to know what the word 'means'?
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Note added at 7 hrs (2010-07-11 23:55:07 GMT)
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I forgot to mention: bediendenkantoor heb ik uit de (printed) Dikke Van Dale, 11e druk 1984.
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Note added at 10 hrs (2010-07-12 02:10:16 GMT)
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I agree that 'the general office' doesn't sound right in this context. It is too abstract (and 'general'). I think 'employee offices' fits well. Am I understanding the text correct as saying that other lawyers (who were not on vacation) just happened to be in the employee (staff) offices (instead of in their own offices)?
"Dien middag toen Katadreuffe van de rechtbank kwam zei hij eerst afzonderlijk tegen Rentenstein dat hij was gefailleerd. Maar later nam hij een oogenblik waar dat er niemand zat in de wachtkamer. Toen zei hij het opnieuw, in het algemeen:
– Ik ben failliet.
Die geen vacantie hadden waren toen juist in het bediendenkantoor. Hij zei het luid, er viel even een stilte, de machines zwegen. Juffrouw Sibculo was nog afwezig, ook de twee Burgeiks."
http://www.dbnl.org/tekst/bord001kara01_01/bord001kara01_01_... |
| Selected response from:
 Lianne Van De Ven
United States
Local time: 02:51
| Grading comment thank you...
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer |
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| Discussion entries: 0 |
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Automatic update in 00:
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4 hrs confidence:   peer agreement (net): -1 staff/break room
Explanation:
..........
| Verginia Ophof
Belize
Local time: 00:51
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 14
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7 hrs confidence: peer agreement (net): +1 employee offices
Explanation:
"Bediende" is an outdated word (1890-1945, see 21 google references). Typically, not necessarily, bedienden were employees at law and notary offices (in the Netherlands), but in general it refers to employees at any type of office or business. They are supportive staff. Bediendenkantoor is 'where they work'.
Today the word would be 'het medewerkerskantoor' if referring to a building where supportive staff/employees are housed. Directiekantoor would be where upper staff/upper management has offices. Also hoofdkantoor - corporate offices.
If you are translating the book and need a word that fits that time....I don't know.
Or do you just need to know what the word 'means'?
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 hrs (2010-07-11 23:55:07 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
I forgot to mention: bediendenkantoor heb ik uit de (printed) Dikke Van Dale, 11e druk 1984.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 10 hrs (2010-07-12 02:10:16 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
I agree that 'the general office' doesn't sound right in this context. It is too abstract (and 'general'). I think 'employee offices' fits well. Am I understanding the text correct as saying that other lawyers (who were not on vacation) just happened to be in the employee (staff) offices (instead of in their own offices)?
"Dien middag toen Katadreuffe van de rechtbank kwam zei hij eerst afzonderlijk tegen Rentenstein dat hij was gefailleerd. Maar later nam hij een oogenblik waar dat er niemand zat in de wachtkamer. Toen zei hij het opnieuw, in het algemeen:
– Ik ben failliet.
Die geen vacantie hadden waren toen juist in het bediendenkantoor. Hij zei het luid, er viel even een stilte, de machines zwegen. Juffrouw Sibculo was nog afwezig, ook de twee Burgeiks."
http://www.dbnl.org/tekst/bord001kara01_01/bord001kara01_01_...
| Lianne Van De Ven
United States
Local time: 02:51
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:  Dutch
PRO pts in category: 37
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| | | Notes to answerer
Asker: yes indeed; Bediendenkantoor is 'where they work' and I am translating the book (and pretty outdated itself: Karakter/Bordewijk) ın the translation of the very same book from the 60's 'bediendenkantoor' is incessantly translated as 'the general office', but i believe that a better translation might also be available.
Asker: characters who 'happen to be in the general office' are merely two office boys (Kees Adam and Pietje), a girl friday, two typists etc. thus no lawyers...this i presume is very large and open sort of a room shared by various staff members doing their own thing (typing, answering telephones; messengers going in and out...) and that's why the translator had called this a 'general room' even though, as you too have pointed out, that sounds 'too abstract'...'employee offices' will have to do and fits well i think...thank you, much appreciated...
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Return to KudoZ list | Changes made by editors |
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| Jul 12, 2010 - Changes made by Yana Dovgopol: | | Field | Art/Literary => Bus/Financial | | Field (specific) | Poetry & Literature => Business/Commerce (general) |
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