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.
German to English translations [PRO] Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature
German term or phrase:Burgschützen
This is from the afterword to Kafka's "A Country Doctor", to be published following the stories. It describes the "Goldene Gässchen" in which he wrote them.
"Unter Kaiser Rudolph II. (1552-1612) wurden
die Häuser von einer bunten Schar von Bewohnern
-Glöcknern, **Burgschützen**, Wächtern - genutzt."
I've got "castle riflemen" at the moment, but wondered if there was a more precise term. Thanks!
Explanation: According to the dictionary, a marksman is defined as one who can shoot a rifle OR OTHER WEAPON accurately.
Since we are looking at the late 16th. century, and the castle defenders would have been armed with bows and arrows, I think marksman has to be favourite - I'm sorry Brigitte didn't post her suggestion, to which I would certainly have agreed.
@Frosty: I agree entirely; I still think it would have been a long, long time before muskets had driven out the crossbow. It would be interesting to know just when that DID happen, wouldn't it? Still, "marksmen" does cover both types of arms, doesn't it?
@David again - About the Author: William Reid is director of the National Army Museum in London. Author of ARMS THROUGH THE AGES and numerous articles on military subjects. Impeccable pedigree, don`t you think?
@ David: Source - "The Lore of Arms - A Concise History of Weaponry": Quote; "The invention of the matchlock, sometime before 1411, was the first major improvement in firearms design." The book starts with slingshots and ends with Carl Gustav M2!!
I suspect the Wiki "rifle" entry was made by someone who didn't read the dictionary too well; the OED says the word in use from 1459 meant a stick, or billet of wood, and the word was only used in its present sense as from 1751 (and rifleMAN from 1775).
With Francis - I have my doubts about the rifles, I think that needs checking. The most "neutral" (in regard to weapons) term I can come up with is "marksmen". And what about artillerymen?
Explanation: marksmen also appears, as do lots of other words from random visitors to Prague:
Golden Lane is a short, little street with colorful houses that were built during the 16th century. First they were occupied by the sharpshooters of the castle, then squatters and later by some famous artists like Franz Kafka. Most of them serve as souvenir shops now and the street is constantly full of tourists. I enjoyed the visit in 1997, but was disappointed to return
'A knight's wages were 8d a day and he would be expected to serve for 40 days a year. Sometimes, this service would be as castle guard in a castle.' http://www.castles-of-britain.com/castle35.htm
Explanation: According to the dictionary, a marksman is defined as one who can shoot a rifle OR OTHER WEAPON accurately.
Since we are looking at the late 16th. century, and the castle defenders would have been armed with bows and arrows, I think marksman has to be favourite - I'm sorry Brigitte didn't post her suggestion, to which I would certainly have agreed.
David Moore Local time: 14:18 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 24
Grading comment
Marksmen does indeed cover both types of arms! Thanks, everyone.
The translation workplace 
