German to English translations [PRO] Marketing - Marketing / Market Research
German term or phrase:an die Hand nehmen
!Wir betreten diese Gebäude wohl wissend, wo wir hin wollen, aber selten mit der Kenntnis, in welche genaue Richtung wir laufen sollen. Orientierungssysteme nehmen uns in solchen Situationen an die Hand, geben selbsterklärend Auskunft, leiten uns freundlich und übersichtlich gestaltet zum Ziel – direkt und ohne Umwege."
Any ideas (other than "guide" which I use for "leiten") much appreciated! TYFYHIA
Johannes Irmer: 9:29am Jan 16, 2006: I'm assuming you don't like the literal translation: "take us by the hand"? - Stephen Sadie: 9:32am Jan 16, 2006: yes although the doors (jim morrison) did !! xxxFrancis Lee: 8:41am Jan 17, 2006: What kind of building is this, Stephen, and is it real or virtual? -
Explanation: I reckon you can get away with being quite literal here, possibly with a bit of extra padding: "Orientation systems (are designed) to take us/(the visitor) by the hand in such situations, ..."
Explanation: I reckon you can get away with being quite literal here, possibly with a bit of extra padding: "Orientation systems (are designed) to take us/(the visitor) by the hand in such situations, ..."
Languageman United Kingdom Works in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 16
an die Hand nehmen 'aid or provide us with a point of reference'
Explanation: Two alternatives, short or provide us with a point of reference for such situations descibes their function in detail for all those wanting to know about Orientierungssysteme.
Stacy Macaulay Germany Specializes in field Native speaker of: English
Explanation: - orientation systems help visitors navigate (their way) / provide navigation
- navigation systems/guides provide orientation ...
Seems that in North America, "navigate" can be used intransitively: http://www.archimuse.com/mw2002/papers/corcoran/corcoran.htm...
The translation workplace 
