der Abschlussprüfer

15:50 Nov 21, 2012
This question was closed without grading. Reason: Other

German to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Accounting
German term or phrase: der Abschlussprüfer
The German legislation seems to make a lot of use of 'der Abschlussprüfer' (cf. §§ 316, 318 ff HGB), so I have been translating it as 'the auditor'.
This gets me into trouble sooner or later with 'he/she' and similar constructions. I've been told you can use 'the auditor' but refer to him/her as 'they/them/their' is modern English, although grammatically incorrect. (The verb is then in the plural, of course.)
However, checking RobinB's authoritative translation in Fey/Fladt, 'Deutsches Bilanzrecht / German Accounting Legislation' I see Robin has opted for 'the auditors' (sure solves the problem!)
In English the issue, as I see it, is gender equality, but perhaps only because English doesn't really 'do' gender, so opting for one or the other does make a gender statement,
In French and German, however, it is inherent in the language, so we alternately get used to thinking of the sun as masculine ('le soleil') and the moon as feminine ('la lune'), or, if you speak German, feminine ('die Sonne') bzw. masculine ('der Mond').
What do others think?
Rod Darby (X)
Ghana
Local time: 02:49


Summary of answers provided
3the auditors
FoundInTrans


Discussion entries: 19





  

Answers


7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
the auditors


Explanation:
I agree that this is the neatest way since "the auditor" is like saying Man which can upset some parties.

FoundInTrans
United Kingdom
Local time: 02:49
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 3
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