Apr 18, 2004 11:47
20 yrs ago
3 viewers *
German term
Wer lesen kann ist klar im Vorteil
German to English
Bus/Financial
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Any ideas on a good English equivalent?
Wir gratulieren Ihnen zu Ihrer Entscheidung, das Programm einzusetzen. Nehmen Sie sich bitte die Zeit, die Installation nach den Angaben durchzuführen.
Wir wissen, dass Handbücher lesen zu den ungeliebten Aufgaben gehört, aber wir sind der Meinung: *Wer lesen kann ist klar im Vorteil!*
Also, I think my translation of the text sounds a bit "translated", so if any of you have suggestions on making it flow better i'd appreciate it (this is the very first paragraph of the document).
Congratulations on your decision to use the XYZ program.
Please take the time to perform the installation according to the instructions. We know that reading technical manuals is not one of people's favorite activities but we are of the opinion: *Wer lesen kann ist klar im Vorteil!*
Wir gratulieren Ihnen zu Ihrer Entscheidung, das Programm einzusetzen. Nehmen Sie sich bitte die Zeit, die Installation nach den Angaben durchzuführen.
Wir wissen, dass Handbücher lesen zu den ungeliebten Aufgaben gehört, aber wir sind der Meinung: *Wer lesen kann ist klar im Vorteil!*
Also, I think my translation of the text sounds a bit "translated", so if any of you have suggestions on making it flow better i'd appreciate it (this is the very first paragraph of the document).
Congratulations on your decision to use the XYZ program.
Please take the time to perform the installation according to the instructions. We know that reading technical manuals is not one of people's favorite activities but we are of the opinion: *Wer lesen kann ist klar im Vorteil!*
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
+2
9 mins
Selected
Those who can read have a clear advantage
I'd be tempted to set the "can" in italics, but I don't really know if that would work too well.
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Note added at 11 mins (2004-04-18 11:58:25 GMT)
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\"....opinion that if you can read, you\'ll be in the lead....\" might be another way of putting it.
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Note added at 11 mins (2004-04-18 11:58:25 GMT)
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\"....opinion that if you can read, you\'ll be in the lead....\" might be another way of putting it.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks to all of you, I got benefit from each of the answers, for the phrase I'm going with "If you read you'll be in the lead"
man, anyone else ever work so much their eyes go blurry?"
15 mins
Marcus Malabad
Canada
Canada
Native in English
Canada
Quality, Accuracy and Experience
Native in: English (Variants: Canadian, US) 
, Tagalog
Works in: German to English, Russian to English, French to English, and 4 more.
by reading you are already one step ahead in the game
Hi David,
May I suggest a rewording to make your translation "tighter":
Congratulations for using the XYZ program.
Please take your time to install the program (it) by following our instructions. We know that reading technical manuals seems like a chore but we believe that by reading you are already one step ahead in the game.
I paraphrased a lot of course but this seems to be the marketing-speak BEFORE the manual so some leeway is forgivable I think. I replaced some words in your original with personal pronouns (you, our, etc.) to make it a more direct - and more effective - way of engaging the reader. "Chore" in one word denotes the entire meaning of the German phrase "zu den ungeliebten Aufgaben gehört".
If the "you are already one step ahead in the game" seems too, well, gamey (for lack of a better word), try: "you are clearly already in the know" or "you are one step further in understanding our program", etc.
More suggestions will come I'm sure.
Marcus
May I suggest a rewording to make your translation "tighter":
Congratulations for using the XYZ program.
Please take your time to install the program (it) by following our instructions. We know that reading technical manuals seems like a chore but we believe that by reading you are already one step ahead in the game.
I paraphrased a lot of course but this seems to be the marketing-speak BEFORE the manual so some leeway is forgivable I think. I replaced some words in your original with personal pronouns (you, our, etc.) to make it a more direct - and more effective - way of engaging the reader. "Chore" in one word denotes the entire meaning of the German phrase "zu den ungeliebten Aufgaben gehört".
If the "you are already one step ahead in the game" seems too, well, gamey (for lack of a better word), try: "you are clearly already in the know" or "you are one step further in understanding our program", etc.
More suggestions will come I'm sure.
Marcus
+4
23 mins
Trudy Peters
United States
United States
Native in German
&
English
Works in field
United States
Related KudoZ points
:
27
My suggestion
Your translation is fine, except I would say,
"..reading technical manuals is not a favorite pastime, but we believe that those who do have a clear advantage."
Leave out "people's". And I think the German "lesen kann" sounds a bit condescending. Not really sure what they're trying to say, unless it becomes obvious in the later context.
"..reading technical manuals is not a favorite pastime, but we believe that those who do have a clear advantage."
Leave out "people's". And I think the German "lesen kann" sounds a bit condescending. Not really sure what they're trying to say, unless it becomes obvious in the later context.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Nancy Arrowsmith
1 hr
|
| agree |
Johanna Timm, PhD
4 hrs
|
| agree |
Endre Both
21 hrs
|
| agree |
Aniello Scognamiglio (X)
21 hrs
|
+3
1 hr
Readers have the edge
Congratulations on your decision to use this program. Please take the time to follow the instructions for installation carefully. While reading manuals may not your favorite activity, be assured that it will pay off. Readers have the edge!
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Nancy Arrowsmith
9 mins
|
| agree |
Aniello Scognamiglio (X)
: perhaps "have a competitive edge over..."? / @Trudy: they are "competing" with non-readers;-)
2 hrs
|
| agree |
Trudy Peters
: I like that, too. Don't know about "competitive." Who are they competing with?
2 hrs
|
+3
4 hrs
Lori Dendy-Molz
Germany
Germany
Native in English
Works in field
Germany
Experienced journalist and marketing pro
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
14
Taking time to read the manual pays off
just another way to say it
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Armorel Young
2 hrs
|
| agree |
Susanne Rindlisbacher
6 hrs
|
| neutral |
Aniello Scognamiglio (X)
: 'lohnt sich', 'macht sich bezahlt'; well, another way to say it but not really the same as "im Vorteil sein".
15 hrs
|
| agree |
Endre Both
17 hrs
|
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