Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.
You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.
07:46 Apr 19, 2005
German to English translations [PRO] Marketing - History
German term or phrase:Ostalgie
"Die Enttäuschung der modernen Konsum-Träume führte vor allem bei den älteren Befragten zu einer sentimentalen ‚Ostalgie‘."
This is from a market research report about the state of the market in the new Federal States. It's clear what "Ostalgie" means, and having played around with a few silly ideas ("Glasnostalgia", anyone?) I'm quite happy to paraphrase it, but just on the offchance that one of my colleagues comes up with a catchy English version, I thought I'd throw this open to the field. Have fun!
Explanation: I'd be tempted to leave it and add an explanation if you can.
See this article from the Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1004799,00.html
Nostalgia for the German Democratic Republic has been around in the reunified Germany long enough for it to have been given its own nickname: "Ostalgie".
And this one http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1367152,00.html
And, despite a certain Ostalgie - nostalgia for the politics and design emblems of the former GDR regime, seen in the T-shirt, record and clothing boutiques springing up around Berlin - there's little chance that a revival in architectural fashions will save this relic.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 3 hrs 28 mins (2005-04-19 11:15:10 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Good advice. In the end, I used the German word in italics, with an explanation in brackets (the definition suggested by John) the first time it occurred. Thanks all round! 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
Hi Ian- I agree with Sarah as to the difference between locational geography/ political units. When I hear Eastern, I think of the Middle East or even Asia or Eastern Europe (countries like Romania) but I certainly would never think of the former GDR
"East Germany" & "West Germany" = GDR & FRG - political units. Eastern and Western are more for locational geography. I would never say that Bavaria was in "Western" Germany, as it's clearly in the South East, but it is definitely West German!
For the ultimate "ostalgic" culinary experience, check out the Osseria (everything from Falscher Hase to Jgerschnitzel in tomato sauce): http://www.in-berlin-brandenburg.com/Infos/osse.html http://www.taz.de/pt/2004/04/03/a0285.nf/text.ges%2C1
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +1
