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08:32 Dec 13, 2011
English to German translations [PRO] Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature
English term or phrase:the Skin Horse
this is a term used for a large toy horse - NOT a rocking horse - made of wood and covered in leather. theterm "Lederpferd" is just too ugly and doesn't carry the warmth and wisdom that the character represents. I need a really good expression! Can't wait to hear what you people think! The context is varied, and I don't think it gives much assistance.
The source is the children's book "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams, written in 1951.
Explanation: It may sound tacky - but since the book is from 1952, it might work. In those days "Ross" was still used for horses a lot. Especially for the more impressive ones. "Rösslein" would be a more endearing term.
Hello! He's well worth the effort. When I read and loved this book as a child, I never questioned the name. Horses are often father figures to children, particularly girls. Brauner is VERY good......warm, deep and comforting. Let's give it a bit more time and see what happens, there's no real rush on this project. I'm very gratefull for your tenacity!
Brauner finde ich eigentlich auch schön, wie Usch schreibt, hat das Wort an sich und auch wenn man es ausspricht, etwas "Warmes" an sich, paart sich auch gut mit den Adjektiven, die man hier so verwenden könnte: der alte weise Braune.
@Usch - ich bin manchmal auch ganz erstaund, an was man sich so "festfressen" kann .... :-)
Brauner - Lederrösslein
Brauner klingt auch gut - vertraut und warm. Allerdings denke ich immer noch, dass die Oberfläche aus Leder ist. Solches Spielzeug findet man noch gelegentlich als Sammlerstück auf Flohmärkten. Wer hätte gedacht, dass das kleine Pferd uns alle so beschäftigt?
what the problem is. In hunter's jargon, this is "Decke", which doesn't fit at all! Beneath his coat is leather, and we ASSUME beneath this, is wood, when studying the picture. What else is skin? C'mon Bernd, what would you suggest? Kim?
Das Pferd ist mit einer Art Fell überzogen, das schon abgewetzte Stellen hat. Bei Leder-xyz stelle ich mir etwas anderes vor...
"He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams underneath ..."
I know I'm trying your patience, you should see my fingernails! Iam waiting for the "CLICK" to be perfect! "Lederross" is quite good, no doubt, and I'm going to sleep on it, hopefully without nightmares of stamping, wild Skin Horses wreaking revenge on my indecision!
I thank you all for the input and will wait for the 24 hours to elapse. Points for everyone!
Well, a hare is not a rabbit! They are not even related. They only look similar by chance. On the other hand, colloquially people often call their domestic rabbits "Stallhasen"...
I would really suggest to take "Lederpferd" as the name. Why not?
It is a name! You might as well name it that way.
Which is one reason why it's being translated again! Wir haben "Häschen" statt "Kaninchen", as he becomes a wild rabbit (hare) at the end of the story.
Yes, Karin, that's what I'm struggling with, the Skin Horse is a name or title. "Das Lederhautpferd" is definately too long., and Caro is right. SIGH!
The discussion is helpful, we'll find the right name, I'm sure. "Lederpferd"? I just can't FEEL it, which is why I need you natives to fill me in. I am collaborating with a native speaker who finds the term dissatisfying. We have discussed using "Lederpferd" occaisionally, but I would REALLY like something the we can usedthe 10 times it occurs, mostly in short succession.
Das weise alte Pferd finde ich insofern nicht ganz befriedigend, als dass das eine Beschreibung und nicht ein Name ist. Skin Horse verstehe ich als Namensbezeichnung.
The problem I have with Lederpferd or Lederross, is that with repetition it seems so hard and nonresisting, whereas the Skin Horse has become REAL and is flexible in spirit. There is also a hint of what happens when toys become real, they are reduced to "skin and bones" by love. How to pack this all in in GERMAN??
The Skin Horse is male. Definately not stuffed and is the wise mentor of the Rabbit. I am loathe to use a diminuitive term, as he is very old and REAL.
Thanks so much for pictures, Mailand! It's a fantastic story, isn't it?
"The Skin Horse had lived longer in the nursery than any of the others. He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams underneath, and most of the hairs in his tail had been pulled out to string bead necklaces. He was wise for he had seen a long succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger..........."
Danke für das Bild, Mailand. Lederpferd/Lederpferdchen ist gar nicht so hässlich, zumal Leder ein warmes, lebendiges, wohlriechendes Material ist. Auf keinen Fall Plüsch, das verniedlicht und ist künstlich.
I looked up The Velvetee Rabbit (first published in 1922, by the way - at least that´s what Wikipedia says :-)) - unfortunately there´s no picture of the Skin Horse to be found - but by the description given, it cannot be a "Plüschpferd" ("Plüsch" meaning "plush"), sounds less cuddly and more robust to me. I think your best bet would be to reinvent a name - maybe have a look at the book with German mothertongue children and let them invent one.
Do you know if it is meant to be a mare/stallion/gelding? That might give a bigger scope for different expressions.
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Answers
20 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +6
the skin horse
das Lederrösslein
Explanation: It may sound tacky - but since the book is from 1952, it might work. In those days "Ross" was still used for horses a lot. Especially for the more impressive ones. "Rösslein" would be a more endearing term.
Usch Pilz Local time: 15:58 Specializes in field Native speaker of: German PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
didn't I just do this?
Notes to answerer
Asker: You've all been enormously helpful, many thanks. I have chosen "Der Brauner", but will introduce him as "das braune Ross" (aus Leder?). Willconfer with my ns partner. Happy christmas, Hannukah, Yule, Solstice or whatever it is that marks this time of year!
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +6