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09:26 Oct 5, 2005
German to English translations [PRO] Tech/Engineering - Food & Dairy
German term or phrase:Kolbenmaschine
"Wie haben Sie zuvor Kaffee vorbereitet? [i.e. before they bought the coffee machine in question]
This is from a Swiss market research report about coffee machines. Can anyone tell me what exactly is meant by "Kolbenmaschine"? Is that that plunger contraption?
Explanation: s your office out growing your coffee machine? 5. Subscriber Winner ... Buy a 6 cup coffee plunger for your home, office, entertaining room or just for fun ... www.gilkatho.com.au/faqs/ViewItem.asp?ID=432 - 78k - Im Cache - Ähnliche Seiten
Or plunger pot or press-pot or French Press coffee machine:
Also known as the plunger pot or press-pot, this stylish coffee maker is ... However, the French Press coffee machine is not completely absent of some ... www.ringsurf.com/info/Food/Coffee/Coffee_Makers/French_Pres... - 17k - Im Cache - Ähnliche Seiten
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 58 mins (2005-10-05 10:25:00 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
I absolutely disagree, please refer to my second reference. I think the question at issue is the definition of the word "machine". I view this as a "machine" and it fits well into the asker's context. The various coffee machines are described in detail there:
For many coffee aficionados, using a French Press coffee maker to brew a cup of coffee is fantastic due to the ceremony involved. Additionally, the French Press coffee maker produces a richer, heavier-bodied, fuller-flavored cup of coffee compared to other types of coffee makers. The coffee brewed with a Plunger is steaming hot and contains a great aroma. The French Press coffee maker is also an excellent way to prepare and serve coffee in one device. It does not take a long time to brew a pot of coffee using the French Press coffee maker with estimates stating that it will take between 5 and 8 minutes to brew four cups of coffee.
Thanks for all the input from everyone on this question. Going on the rest of the text, I am convinced that simply a "French press" is meant. And as I haven't heard anything to the contrary from the customer, I presume this was correct. Thanks again! 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
I think that's pretty clear from the colourful discussion below - and if not, there's always your note. I deliberately didn't put this in the glossary for that reason. (Query: could it be a usage peculiar to Switzerland?)
Don't want to open the can of worms again, but i think it's important to put a note somewhere (for future ref) to show that this is an unusual (if not erroneous) use of the word "Kolbenmaschine", and that it's not usually translated as "French press".
Re your first added note: I did in fact call my question "Kolbenmaschine", not "coffee machines" - the latter was the description of the general nature of my text. And what do you mean in saying that my question was "particularly badly phrased this time" - are my questions usually badly phrased?
Thanks all round for your input. I have sent the translation off, with a note to the customers that I have translated "Kolbenmaschine" as "French press" in the assumption that this refers to the devices shown under the following link: http://www.espressozone.com/french-press-coffee-makers.html. If this isn't the case, I will be informed, and I will add another note here to that effect. Thanks all round!
@jc et al.: Unter French Press versteht man eine bestimmte Brhmethode fr Kaffee, bzw. die auch Presstempelkanne oder Kaffeedrcker genannte Kaffeekanne, die dabei zum Einsatz kommt. http://lexikon.freenet.de/French_Press
@asker: exactly my answer BTW as the French Press and the Plunger are identical as can be read in the reference I quoted (despite those vicious disagrees)
With Hilary + writeaway + Brie: have you found any examples at all of a Kolbenmaschine being a plunger wotsit? We've found dozens for various devices featuring electricity + pumps/pistons...
Two points I just wanted to mention. Swiss coffee, like French coffee, is often simply watered-down espresso. Secondly, what sets off bells and whistles for me is the list itself: instant, automatic, manual--a key question for every coffee drinker.
Whether it's pump or piston in the end, these machines can also be used for espresso-derivatives - and, although I'd agree that a "Maschine" isn't necessarily a "machine", every single "Kolbenmaschine" I've found is more than a jug and a plunger.
Thanks for all the input so far. Two points, though: firstly, we're not talking about espresso here, rather normal coffee. Secondly, I agree with Stephen about the "machine" - I don't necessary feel that an automatic machine is meant here, but rather a "maker".
Hi Ian, "lslicher Kaffee" is always the instant crap, aka "Sanka" in the States. Do give Brie's answer a second look and compare to the context, I'd wager a lot on it...
Ian: I am not yet convinced. What kind of new machine is it? Sirely it wouldn't be purchased to replace a similar machine. And what is a "machine" here? The plunger must find some mention in the list as it is very common. This is like a jigsaw!
yes a plunger, don't know what you call them in English though. Never seen them in the UK either (at least not in the West Midlands).
09:29 Oct 5, 2005
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
2 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
yep
Explanation: That's the one.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 2005-10-05 09:36:23 (GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Sorry Ian (Winick). But I think your question was particulrly badly phrased this time. You should have called your question \"Kolbenmaschine\" and not \"coffee machines\". You just confuse everybody doing that.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 2005-10-05 09:50:04 (GMT) --------------------------------------------------
It is obviously a piston-driven coffe machine (common just before the IC engine was invented)
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 2005-10-05 11:33:14 (GMT) --------------------------------------------------
I think it\'s a piston-engine.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 2005-10-06 06:39:12 (GMT) --------------------------------------------------
I think you\'re all crazee!
Ian, I hope you work this out in the end :-)
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 2005-10-10 04:51:17 (GMT) --------------------------------------------------
@ Ian: Yes. No. Don\'t know. Sorry, my mistake. I could have sworn the question was entitled \"coffes machines\". And no, of course your questions are not usually badly phrased. :-)
Alan Johnson Germany Local time: 18:19 Native speaker of: English
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +1
