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Vorfeld

English translation: phase/stage prior to terrorist attacks [leading up to terrorist attacks]


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18:19 Nov 10, 2010
German to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Government / Politics / terrorism and intelligence
German term or phrase: Vorfeld
From an academic article discussing investigative and intelligence techniques for predicting terrorist acts:

"Das derart ausgeleuchtete Vorfeld terroristischer Anschläge bildet gegenwärtig ein wichtiges Anwendungsfeld polizeilicher Präventionsstrategien."

Perhaps "preliminary stage"? I think the author is talking about the planning/preparatory phase of the terrorist act.

I'd be grateful for any suggestions....
Ann Marie Ackermann, JD
Local time: 03:07
English translation:phase/stage prior to terrorist attacks [leading up to terrorist attacks]
Explanation:
That's how I'd paraphrase this tricky German term in this case.
Selected response from:

Steffen Walter
Germany
Local time: 03:07
Grading comment
Bravo, Steffen, that's perfect! Run-up is good too, but in my opinion a bit too colloquial for an academic article
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +4the run-up
Helen Shiner
3 +2phase/stage prior to terrorist attacks [leading up to terrorist attacks]
Steffen Walter
4preparatory actions, preparations
Gabriella Bertelmann
4setting or scenarioSlindon
3preliminary stage/ pre-attack stage
Jenny Streitparth


Discussion entries: 6





  

Answers


31 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
Vorfeld terroristischer Anschläge
phase/stage prior to terrorist attacks [leading up to terrorist attacks]


Explanation:
That's how I'd paraphrase this tricky German term in this case.

Steffen Walter
Germany
Local time: 03:07
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 97
Grading comment
Bravo, Steffen, that's perfect! Run-up is good too, but in my opinion a bit too colloquial for an academic article

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Guido Schenkel: Vielleicht auch "preceding terrorist attacks". Zentral ist m.E. aber genau das zeitliche "davor", das in dieser Wendung besser durchkommt als bei der "preliminary stage".
34 mins
agree  Teresa Reinhardt: just a fancy way of saying "vor"
8 hrs
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Vorfeld (in this context)
preparatory actions, preparations


Explanation:
hope this is helpful

Gabriella Bertelmann
Local time: 19:07
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 4
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
preliminary stage/ pre-attack stage


Explanation:
Your suggestion is fine.

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision, with respect to any specified preliminary stage of proceedings for a scheduled offence,...
http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=NqsvyvaA6m4C&pg=PA222&lpg...

Alternatively: pre-attack stage

as used by Interpol, EU, NATO and mentioned in numerous books.

Jenny Streitparth
New Zealand
Local time: 13:07
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
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4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
the run-up


Explanation:
The run-up to terrorist attacks...

India admits security mistakes in run-up to Mumbai terrorist attack
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article5292...

MI5 'starved of funds' in run-up to July 7 attacks
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/mi5-starved-of-fu...

"Al-Qaida and al-Qaida associated networks remain the greatest terrorist threat to the U.S. and to its partners," said Ronald D. Schlicher, the State Department's acting coordinator for counterterrorism.

Schlicher said core al Qaeda has exploited the FATA as a safe haven, reminiscent of Afghanistan in the run up to the 9-11 attacks, which could be used to plan future terrorist attacks against the United States and its allies. Al Qaeda's franchises also continued to leave a bloody trail throughout many countries during 2008.

http://www.securitymanagement.com/news/terrorist-incidents-a...

Helen Shiner
United Kingdom
Local time: 02:07
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  casper: good suggestion
6 hrs
  -> Thanks
agree  British Diana: This is absolutely dead on , but how did you happen on it?//Ah yes, this is where a flesh and blood translator triumphs over the biggest imaginable dictionary....
11 hrs
  -> Thanks, Diana - just came to me, you know how it is .../Although it does seem to feature on dict.cc: http://www.dict.cc/?s=vorfeld
agree  mill
12 hrs
  -> Thanks, mill
agree  conny
18 hrs
  -> Thanks, conny
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1 day20 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
setting or scenario


Explanation:
While agreeing to all other suggestions with the usual translation of 'Vorfeld' I think in this instance it might be better to use 'scenario' because what is really meant is the stage before any action has taken place, i.e. the setting or environment out of which the anticipated terrorist actions will evolve.

Slindon
Germany
Local time: 03:07
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
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Changes made by editors
Nov 10, 2010 - Changes made by Ingo Dierkschnieder:
Term askedVorfeld (in this context) => Vorfeld


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