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11:28 Nov 12, 2009
Finnish to English translations [PRO] Tech/Engineering - Ships, Sailing, Maritime
Finnish term or phrase:kellumaväline
Dear all,
What's does kellumaväline mean here?
Here's some context.
"Kellumavälineen on oltava hyväksyttyä ainetta ja rakennetta; ilmatäytteisten kellumasäiliöiden käyttö on kielletty."
Explanation: This is ten times more common than 'floating device' and much more logical (in my opinion), because it is not meant only for that the device itself floats, but that it offers flotation possibility for one who holds on it.
'Kelluntaväline' is in Finnish more popular expression, and I also find it better than 'kellumaväline'. I feel that 'kellunta' better emphasizes the activeness of the process, whereas 'kelluma' suits better for situation where floating is of passive nature (like a plant floating on sth.), but I guess it's more of a dialectical difference.
Thanks Timo, that's exactly what it is... Flotation conveys the meaning perfectly, it could serve both for life-saving devices and for floating equipment in general, like Owen said. I will grant the points to Timo as his post came first, but thanks everyone for your invaluable help! 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
In your text the term "kellumaväline" is used in a contradictory way, that's why it's hard for you to see the difference, but there is a difference, as I stated earlier.
The difference is explained in this link: http://www.onnettomuustutkinta.fi/uploads/26kai.pdf
Pelastuslautoilla tarkoitetaan katettuja ilmatäytteisiä lauttoja, joissa ihmiset ovat suojassa lautan sisällä. Kellumavälineillä ihmiset ovat vedessä ja pitävät lautan naruista kiinni yrittäen pysytellä pinnalla.
but life-saving. IMHO "life-saving appliances" covers everything from life-saving floats to life rafts. They are for professional use, but floating device can be anything that helps you float, ie from life jackets to pontoons.
Yes it is true, IMO was one of the sites I searched, and found "buoyant apparatus" from. Marju, you are right with regards the first link you posted if you mean that IMO uses the term life-saving appliance for hengenpelastuslaite, because the term occur several times indeed in the Finnish text, but I havent found kellumaväline though...
Floating equipment also sounds right, but to me, all terms (buoyant apparatus, floating device or floating equiment) sound like they are synonyms for kellumaväline, what do you think?
is mentioned in the same context: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GC1PHE8
You'll need a friend to drop you to the islet for logging and get you back from there. Get ready to swim or wade, if the waves are strong. For the security reasons, take some floating equipment with rope along. With the boat it is good to wait a quite far away from the cliff.
Thanks Pietari and Marju. Marju: Life-saving device could as well be a good option, but the term is already used in the text as "hengenpelastuslaite"...
Anyway, I initially used the term buoyant apparatus after much research on wesites of authoritative bodies, and the term seems to occur quite widely. But then the client told me that he wasnt happy with the term used, and I thought of suggesting "Floating Device", which also occurs, but not so extensively. Then I started to wonder if there is any difference in Finnish between these two terms I suggested? Many thanks!!
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Answers
5 mins confidence:
floating device
Explanation: A device that keeps structures (or people) afloat.
Pietari Valtonen Czech Republic Local time: 18:38 Native speaker of: Finnish
Explanation: This is ten times more common than 'floating device' and much more logical (in my opinion), because it is not meant only for that the device itself floats, but that it offers flotation possibility for one who holds on it.
'Kelluntaväline' is in Finnish more popular expression, and I also find it better than 'kellumaväline'. I feel that 'kellunta' better emphasizes the activeness of the process, whereas 'kelluma' suits better for situation where floating is of passive nature (like a plant floating on sth.), but I guess it's more of a dialectical difference.
Timo Lehtilä Local time: 19:38 Native speaker of: Finnish PRO pts in category: 16
Grading comment
Thanks Timo, that's exactly what it is... Flotation conveys the meaning perfectly, it could serve both for life-saving devices and for floating equipment in general, like Owen said. I will grant the points to Timo as his post came first, but thanks everyone for your invaluable help!
Explanation: Refers both to PFD's (personal floatation device--life jacket), emergency floatation devices for water rescue work, or even toys for use in the water. The original Finnish term by itself does not specify the application (personal safety, rescue, etc) of the device, just that it is for floatation.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 3 hrs (2009-11-12 15:03:46 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Crap. Misspelled it. Flotation device.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 3 hrs (2009-11-12 15:05:05 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
...actually, I guess both are used, with flotation being more common....
The translation workplace 
