Eventualiter

English translation: alternatively or in the alternative

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Eventualiter
English translation:alternatively or in the alternative
Entered by: Dr. Fred Thomson

19:10 Oct 11, 2004
German to English translations [PRO]
Law/Patents - Law (general)
German term or phrase: Eventualiter
Swiss legeal text: 'Eventualiter seien sowohl das Gesuch um Vollstreckbarkeitserklaerung des Urteils des High Court of Kenya, wie auch das Gesuch um Erteilung der Rechtsoeffnung ...'
Hattie Spence
Germany
Local time: 01:16
alternatively
Explanation:
This is the way I always translate the term.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs 9 mins (2004-10-11 22:20:01 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I can imagine this term meaning \"possibly\" or \"perhaps\" in some contexts, but I always see it in legal documents and it always means \"alternatively\" or \"in the alternative\" in such contexts.
Because yours is a a legal text, I must believe that \"alternatively\" will work for you here.
Let your context be your guide!

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 18 hrs 32 mins (2004-10-12 13:43:06 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Hattie, if you Google \"eventualiter,\" you will find tons of examples in which only \"alternatively\" or \"in the alternative\" will make sense.
I believe that \"eventualiter\" is a Swiss legal term of art.
Selected response from:

Dr. Fred Thomson
United States
Local time: 17:16
Grading comment
Many thanks- 'alternatively' did work in this context.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +2alternatively
Dr. Fred Thomson
4 +1possibly / perhaps
Ulrike Lieder (X)
4 -1may need to be....
Ingrid Blank


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


26 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
possibly / perhaps


Explanation:
According to Duden, this is an obsolete (and high-falutin') form of "eventuell" which means possibly or perhaps.

eventualiter: (bildungssprachlich, veraltet) vielleicht, eventuell (2).
(c) Dudenverlag.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 29 mins (2004-10-11 19:40:06 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

eventuell <lat.-mlat.-fr.>:
1. möglicherweise eintretend.
2. gegebenenfalls, unter Umständen, vielleicht; Abk.: evtl.
(c) Dudenverlag.

Ulrike Lieder (X)
Local time: 16:16
Native speaker of: German
PRO pts in category: 20

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Steffen Walter
22 mins

agree  Meturgan
1 hr

disagree  KirstyMacC (X): This is Swiss legal on which Duden is not an authority.The next stage up is 'supereventualiter' = höchstvorsorglich in DE- > 'In the further alternative' is bog-standard Eng. High Court drafting.
2 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

8 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): -1
may need to be....


Explanation:
Both......may need to be dismissed.

I agree with Ulrike and I am not happy with "alternatively" either here

This is just another option to express "eventuell" "möglicherweise" etc

Ingrid Blank
PRO pts in category: 171

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  KirstyMacC (X): I suggest you Google eventualiter. There are 2,750 hits. Most are Swiss & open with numbered paras. eventualiter 1,2,3,4. The Au equiv. is [in casu et] in eventu.
4 hrs
  -> then let's agree to disagree because "alternatively" still doesn't make sense to me in the above sentence
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
alternatively


Explanation:
This is the way I always translate the term.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs 9 mins (2004-10-11 22:20:01 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I can imagine this term meaning \"possibly\" or \"perhaps\" in some contexts, but I always see it in legal documents and it always means \"alternatively\" or \"in the alternative\" in such contexts.
Because yours is a a legal text, I must believe that \"alternatively\" will work for you here.
Let your context be your guide!

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 18 hrs 32 mins (2004-10-12 13:43:06 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Hattie, if you Google \"eventualiter,\" you will find tons of examples in which only \"alternatively\" or \"in the alternative\" will make sense.
I believe that \"eventualiter\" is a Swiss legal term of art.

Dr. Fred Thomson
United States
Local time: 17:16
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 608
Grading comment
Many thanks- 'alternatively' did work in this context.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Ulrike Lieder (X): With all due respect, Fred, Duden does not agree with you on this. Given the incomplete sentence, it's hard to say if "alternatively" would fit into this context, but my gut reaction is that it doesn't.
19 mins
  -> I agree that the incomplete sentence does not allow one to be certain here.

agree  KirstyMacC (X): This is Anglo-Am. textbook legal drafting style on which Duden has never been used . Also: in the alternative in BE, albeit lawspeak for an added claim.
2 hrs
  -> Thank you, Counsel.

agree  Edith Kelly
10 hrs
  -> Thank you, Edith
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

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.


See also:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search