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die Damen und Herren Skeptiker

English translation: precious skeptics

19:27 Oct 23, 2009

German to English translations [PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

German term or phrase: die Damen und Herren Skeptiker

This was translated elsewhere for me quite literally as "the ladies and gentlemen skeptics." I find that translation awkward and ungrammatical ("the ladies...skeptics?")

Any suggestions for how to retain the respectful (if perhaps slightly ironic?) formality of the original in a different way? I am considering "the gentle skeptics," but I'm not altogether pleased with that. Thanks in advance.

Here's the context:

"Und da die Magier ein notorisch faules Volk sind, begnügen sie sich oft damit -- woraus die Damen und Herren Skeptiker dann flugs schließen, dies sei bereits des Pudels Kern."

BrettMN Not a translator KudoZ activity Questions: 46 (none open) (1 closed without grading) Answers: 32 United States
Local time: 03:54

English translation:precious skeptics

Explanation:
And for all my precious skeptics out there ... Mr. Bachchan is the real thing ... Not a wax statue. And yes, that's Mr. Bal Thackeray and his grandson Aditya Thackeray. This happened when Aditya's music album, UMMEED, was launched.
http://polesapart2.multiply.com/photos/album/43/Assorted_stu...

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&f...

http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/24/earth-scientist...

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Note added at 6 days (2009-10-30 14:37:33 GMT) Post-grading
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Thanks, BrettMN

Selected response from:

Helen Shiner
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:54

Grading comment

4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

3 +3

doubting Thomas

ArnoTranslates

3 +1

sir or madam skeptic

Cilan

3 +1

skeptics of both genders

Goldcoaster

precious skeptics

Helen Shiner

skeptical ladies and gentlemen

mill

high-brow sceptics/elitist sceptics

gangels

Discussion entries: 6

Answers

17 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +3

doubting Thomas

Explanation:
'Damen und Herren Skeptiker' is a phrase used in many contexts and does not necessarily require a higher formal level (because of 'Damen und Herren'). Therefore, the English equivalent 'doubting Thomas' would well fit into your context.

ArnoTranslates
United States
Local time: 02:54
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

German
PRO pts in category: 4

15 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

skeptics of both genders

Explanation:
an alternate suggestion with the same meaning

Goldcoaster
Switzerland
Local time: 10:54
Native speaker of:

English,

German
PRO pts in category: 4

20 hrs confidence:

skeptical ladies and gentlemen

Explanation:
sounds better in my ears than the other suggestions.

I would even consider using just "the skeptics." Misses the flavor of the original but is better than a clunky attempt to be literal IMHO

mill
Germany
Local time: 10:54
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 4

15 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

sir or madam skeptic

Explanation:
hence **Sir or Madam Skeptic** swiftly deduces that this is already the core of the matter.

Würde ich als eine Art Anrede schreiben...

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Note added at 1 day15 hrs (2009-10-25 11:20:28 GMT)
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OK, OK, sir or madam is not it - I grant everyone that and am far from insisting! But with "Mr. and Mrs. Skeptic" I already offered a variation that one can definitely use if one wants to get across the idea of a formal title with a slightly sarcastic undernote. The other suggestions are absolutely perfect to me, but IMHO missing the point by a bit. No offense intended!

Cilan
Germany
Local time: 10:54
Native speaker of:

German,

Spanish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)

agree

Kim Metzger: Mesdames and Messieurs skeptic?

1 hr

-> Thank you! IMVHO singular works better; perhaps you could even say "Mr. or Mrs. Skeptic"?

agree

sivara: Mr and Mrs Sceptic sounds better

14 hrs

-> Thank you sivara!

agree

robin25

14 hrs

-> Thank you robin25!

disagree

Bianca Marsden: Doesn't sound idiomatically English to me, and if Google has 700,000 hits on it then fine, you don't need your peers' opinions if they disagree with you, then, I guess! Thank you and good night, as some might say!

16 hrs

-> Well, I guess that 700,000 Google Hits for "Mr. Skeptic" and about the same number for "Miss Skeptic" should be proof enough. Disagreeing is fine with me, as long as it is substantiated, so I can learn better... No need to lash out! :-)

disagree

gangels: Highly skeptical of it

22 hrs

-> Same as to Bianca, the idea of Sir and Madam Skeptic is widely known and accepted, albeit as Mr. and Mrs. Skeptic, which I did offer too, even if belated.

neutral

Helen Shiner: Have to say I also feel this sounds strange. As a NS, I've never heard it used./Sorry, but I can't see any irony in it which the GER has.

1 day14 hrs

-> Thanks for your helpful comment, I gave up already on Sir and Madam. What do you think of the "variation"?

1 day17 hrs confidence:

high-brow sceptics/elitist sceptics

Explanation:
Mr./Mrs. Sceptic sounds like an old, disgruntled couple sick of each other

Remember the country tune 'Waiting for the end of time to end my time with you'

gangels
United States
Local time: 02:54
Native speaker of:

English,

German
PRO pts in category: 20