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zogenaamd

English translation: No translation or commonly referred to as

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15:20 Aug 16, 2011

Dutch to English translations [Non-PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

Dutch term or phrase: zogenaamd

Many people (and Van Dale) translate this as 'so-called' which is generally pejorative in English - a 'so-called language expert'. My feeling is that zogenaamd in Dutch is neutral - 'een zogenaamde wervelwind' - which I suggest would come across better as something like 'a whirlwind as it is known'.

Any comments?

Ralph Houston KudoZ activity Questions: 1 (none open) Answers: 2
Local time: 05:35

English translation:No translation or commonly referred to as

Explanation:
I decide on a per case basis. Either I do not translate it (after all, if it is called like this, then it is called like this) or I use something like commonly referred to as xxx.

Selected response from:

Marijke Singer
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:35

Grading comment

'so-called' in English is generally pejorative
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

4 +4

No translation or commonly referred to as

Marijke Singer

5 +1

called/known as

Liesbeth Blom-Smith

3 -1

supposed,ostensible(y)

W Schouten

Discussion entries: 2

Answers

4 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): -1

supposed,ostensible(y)

Explanation:
are possibilities

W Schouten
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:35
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

Dutch,

English
PRO pts in category: 12

7 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

called/known as

Explanation:
Ik snap wat je bedoelt, maar het hangt wel van de context af of 'so-called' echt een ongunstige betekenis heeft, het kan ook neutraal overkomen, zoals in jouw voorbeeld, 'a so-called whirlwind'. Daarbij denk je toch echt niet aan een wervelwind met pretensies! Maar goed, mogelijke suggesties zijn: '|(also) known as a whirlwind' of '(often) called a whirlwind'.

Liesbeth Blom-Smith
Local time: 05:35
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

Dutch
PRO pts in category: 4

21 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +4

No translation or commonly referred to as

Explanation:
I decide on a per case basis. Either I do not translate it (after all, if it is called like this, then it is called like this) or I use something like commonly referred to as xxx.

Marijke Singer
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:35
Native speaker of:

English,

Spanish
PRO pts in category: 8

Grading comment

'so-called' in English is generally pejorative

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thanks Marijke

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zogenaamd

English translation: No translation or commonly referred to as

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zogenaamd

English translation: No translation or commonly referred to as

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ProZ.com ideas

KudoZ™ translation helpThe KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

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.