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German to English translations [PRO]
Agriculture / Harvesting | | German term or phrase: geht häufig etwas wortwörtlich daneben | This sentence is from a text about the difficulties of harvesting crops. I’m not entirely sure of how best to translate the expression “geht häufig etwas wortwörtlich daneben”. I think I get the meaning, but I was just wondering if there is a better way of saying it.
„Für Landwirte und Lohnunternehmer ist Zeit bares Geld wert, doch bei Arbeiten unter Zeitdruck geht häufig etwas wortwörtlich daneben: Das Abtanken des Erntegutes während der Ernte gestaltet sich oft schwierig, da von beiden Maschinen der Blick in den Ladewagen fehlt.“
“For farmers and machinery contractors, time is money. However, when working under pressure, things rarely go strictly according to plan… Gathering in the crops during the harvest season can often prove to be a difficult task, as there is no way of actually seeing into the loading trailer from either machine.”
Would “things often go a little awry” be a better translation?
Also, I don’t really understand what the word “wortwörtlich” is doing there – can anyone help?!
Many thanks! |
| Alan CampbellKudoZ activityQuestions: 177 ( 6 open) ( 1 without valid answers) ( 9 closed without grading) Answers: 29
| | Local time: 23:29
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| | something often literally misses the mark | Explanation:
... meaning that
1. Things go wrong
2. They don't aim straight and the harvest misses the container (i.e. "literally" missing the mark)
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Note added at 12 mins (2007-07-24 20:44:14 GMT)
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The word "wortwörtlich" is a German way of saying "Hey, folks, this is a pun" (announcing it in advance in case people miss it). |
| Selected response from:
Victor Dewsbery
Germany
Local time: 00:29
| Grading comment Fantastic - thanks, Victor. The “wortwörtlich” now makes perfect sense - I don't know why, but for some reason I didn't link it to the subject of a subsequent sentence, when the text talks about the harvested crops missing the grain tank ... thanks so much for putting me back on track! Alan
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer |
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| Discussion entries: 0 |
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Automatic update in 00:
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10 mins confidence:  
9 mins confidence: "literally amiss"
Explanation:
The idea is that it ACTUALLY goes daneben, doesn't go into the right spot. (geht daneben=screws up)
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Note added at 10 mins (2007-07-24 20:43:04 GMT)
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GOES literally amiss. That's an almost word by word translation.
| | | Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks for your help, Janis!
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| | Login to enter a peer comment (or grade) |
9 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +9 something often literally misses the mark
Explanation:
... meaning that
1. Things go wrong
2. They don't aim straight and the harvest misses the container (i.e. "literally" missing the mark)
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Note added at 12 mins (2007-07-24 20:44:14 GMT)
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The word "wortwörtlich" is a German way of saying "Hey, folks, this is a pun" (announcing it in advance in case people miss it).
| Victor Dewsbery
Germany
Local time: 00:29
Native speaker of:  English
PRO pts in category: 4
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| | Grading comment | Fantastic - thanks, Victor. The “wortwörtlich” now makes perfect sense - I don't know why, but for some reason I didn't link it to the subject of a subsequent sentence, when the text talks about the harvested crops missing the grain tank ... thanks so much for putting me back on track! Alan |
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The translation workplace 
