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19:38 Nov 15, 2011
German to English translations [PRO] Marketing - Marketing / Market Research
German term or phrase:den Rücken stärken
"Wir wollen unseren Mitarbeitern den Rücken stärken"
I need to translate this and incorporate the double meaning of support and helping with back problems. This is from a company newsletter and the article itself is entitled "Rückenschule". Many thanks in advance
this was best for my text, I actually went for "We want to 'back' our staff", many thanks to you and all peers 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
It is clearly an article on ergonomics within the workplace. Many companies have it. Provide you with height correct tables and chairs to suit. A company I worked for had its own ergonomics department that measured the employees’ height; hip to knee length etc. in order for the employee to be as comfortable as possible/healthy in his workplace to have higher production and fewer sick days.
http://www.liquid-lifestyle.at/en/summer/seminars/rueckensch...
Ergonomic exercises. Does your article talk about ergonomic training or indeed include other things as in the link above? If it refers to helping associates become more self-assured, team players, "better"workers, the emphasis would IMO be on a program designed to strengthen them, making them stronger, more successful and not just having their back = supporting them when needed. Even "backing you up" would seem a more incidental help although I imagine "backing you up/we'll back you up" could be taken as straightening your back (out), so to speak, thus figuratively alluding to the "making you stronger, better, more successful" meaning.
From pain to gain?
This is supposed to be going to US English, at the same time being comprehensible for English speakers as a whole. @Bernhard: with "Rückenschule" as mentioned already. Maybe "We've got our employees' backs"?
It wasn't just a Telegraph link - it was 1.9 million Google hits for "We've got your back" plus "UK" :-) Sorry jccantrell, I fought your corner for you!
"We want to give your back some support" might work. Not sure whether the article is about some kind of "back-therapy training", guided execises, or maybe even just tips how to sit/stand/stretch properly, anything else to do your back some good during a long workday. Hence I would like to join Bernhard in his request for additional information.
Stephen, how are employees actually being helped with/asked about their (back) pain(s) - through/with regard to methods/strategies making their job easier/shorter or by back massages and pills? ;0)
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
9 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +6
We've got your back
Explanation: In the USA, this is the phrase I would use. Of course, you have to reword it to work in the part about employees, but "having someone's back" means that you are protecting their vulnerable side, providing support no matter what.
Good luck.
jccantrell Local time: 15:56 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 27
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +6
