German to English translations [Non-PRO] Tech/Engineering - Engineering (general)
German term or phrase:Gegebenenfalls
Context:
Gegebenenfalls Kundendienst informieren
Given that the system in question has been determined to have a fault by the time the user reads this in the manual, I'm rather puzzled as to the logic behind this. No conditions are explicitly stated, so what would make most sense? None of the common translations of gegebenenfalls seems to make a lot of sense to me here. Is it just left up to the user's mood and how they feel on the particular day the fault occurs?
Explanation: Despite your (justified) doubts, I can't see what else they could be trying to say here.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 29 mins (2009-10-29 08:08:18 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Well, if there are no criteria in the German text qualifying what the author(s) of the manual is/are trying to say, why would you want to include them in your translation? That's precisely what many translators are tempted to do (and I'm no exception to this rule): improve on the source text. IMHO, you are always free to improve on the style but not on the (meaning of the) source text itself.
So, if it's (maybe even intended to be) unclear in the German text, why would you want to make it any clearer in your English translation?
the customer isn't saying precisely what he wants to say in this instance, it's just that the intended meaning behind the words is unclear, or purely illogical and potentially misleading and/or dangerous.
You're quite right though, there is no significant difference between "if necessary" and "if need be", except that "if necessary" seems slightly more emphatic (i.e. there has to be a real necessity).
... what makes you think he isn't precisely saying what he wants to say in this instance?
And, pray, what is the difference between "if necessary" and "if need be" (the latter suggestion made by Johannes being a good idea in your opinion, while mine is apparently not)?
written a request for clarification in a comment, but my managers are allergic to questions & requests for clarification, so I try to solve as many riddles as possible without resorting to asking the client.
and carefully worded, e.g. distinguishing between "Verständigen Sie den Kundendienst", "Kundendienst anfordern", "wenden Sie sich bitte an unseren Kundendienst", "Kundendienst erforderlich", "Bitte setzen Sie sich sofort mit dem Kundendienst in Verbindung", "unverzüglich Kundendienst verständigen" etc.
Without being able to give TOO much away, it may be worth mentioning that the fault in question concerns a faulty level switch in a tank containing hazardous chemicals (and/or potentially a leak), so the situation and need have arisen and it isn't something that the user should even try to tackle themselves.
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Answers
18 mins confidence:
Gegebenenfalls (here)
if need be
Explanation: Alternative Möglichkeiten:
as the case may be gegebenenfalls [Abk.: ggf.]
if applicable gegebenenfalls [Abk.: ggf.]
if necessary gegebenenfalls Adv.
if need be gegebenenfalls Adv. [Abk.: ggf.]
should the situation arise gegebenenfalls
when indicated gegebenenfalls http://dict.leo.org/ende?lp=ende&lang=de&searchLoc=0&cmpType...
"If need be" macht die Sache nur davon abhängig, ob der Nutzer Hilfe braucht oder nicht. Bei anderen Ausdrücken ist weniger klar, ob es wegen des Problems ist oder wegen der Unkenntnis des Nutzers.
Johannes Gleim Germany Local time: 18:04 Specializes in field Native speaker of: German PRO pts in category: 59
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks, good idea! Or how about "if you see fit"?
Explanation: Despite your (justified) doubts, I can't see what else they could be trying to say here.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 29 mins (2009-10-29 08:08:18 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Well, if there are no criteria in the German text qualifying what the author(s) of the manual is/are trying to say, why would you want to include them in your translation? That's precisely what many translators are tempted to do (and I'm no exception to this rule): improve on the source text. IMHO, you are always free to improve on the style but not on the (meaning of the) source text itself.
So, if it's (maybe even intended to be) unclear in the German text, why would you want to make it any clearer in your English translation?
LittleBalu Germany Local time: 18:04 Native speaker of: German PRO pts in category: 39
Grading comment
Many thanks for the discussion etc.!
Notes to answerer
Asker: Normally that's how I'd translate it to, but in the absence of any criteria, how does that help the user reading the manual? Might it be better, in this instance, to say something like "...if you so wish" or "It may be advisable to..."?
Asker: I see your point, but of course filler words like gegebenenfalls are (I feel) more acceptable in German. The reader can easily skim over it without necessarily pondering what the author intended, but a translator (at least any conscientious translator) needs to convey, and thus understand, what the author meant. So, although I don't want to add any information that isn't there in the source text, I do want to convey the right (intended) meaning.
Asker: Re. efreitag's note: Would "If you are unable to fix it, contact customer services" be a viable solution?
