German: der Autor mußte überraschend eine längere Reise antretenEnglish translation: the writer had to go on a long(ish) journey unexpectedly 
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| GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW) | | German term or phrase: | der Autor mußte überraschend eine längere Reise antreten | | English translation: | the writer had to go on a long(ish) journey unexpectedly | | Entered by: | Rowan Morrell |
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German to English translations [PRO]
Cinema, Film, TV, Drama / Dental Video | | German term or phrase: der Autor mußte überraschend eine längere Reise antreten | "Eigentlich sollte an dieser Stelle ein zahntechnischer Beitrag über die Renessance von Schmelzschalen aus Kunststoff und deren Indikationen berichten. Aber ***der Autor mußte überraschend eine längere Reise antreten***, so daß wir diesen Beitrag auf eine spätere Ausgaben verschoben haben."
I just want to double-check the meaning of this phrase. Does it mean the writer (of the film segment) had to go on a longer journey unexpectedly, or that the journey he was on (in making the film) took longer than expected? TIA for your quick help (this is quite urgent). |
| | | trip was unexpected, not the length | Explanation:
one of the peculiarities of German, the comparative is often used even though nothing is being compared
here längere = 'long(ish)', not 'longer' |
| Selected response from:
Cilian O'Tuama
Germany
| Note from asker to answererThanks Cilian - that comparative was rather confusing me, but you've cleared the problem up nicely. Thanks also to the peer graders for their prompt and helpful input, and to the others who offered an idea. Really appreciate your assistance.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer |
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3 mins confidence:   peer agreement (net): +6 |
| trip was unexpected, not the length
Explanation:
one of the peculiarities of German, the comparative is often used even though nothing is being compared
here längere = 'long(ish)', not 'longer'
| Cilian O'Tuama
Germany
Works in field
Native speaker of:  English
PRO pts in category: 18
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| Note from asker to answerer| Thanks Cilian - that comparative was rather confusing me, but you've cleared the problem up nicely. Thanks also to the peer graders for their prompt and helpful input, and to the others who offered an idea. Really appreciate your assistance. |
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The translation workplace 
