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es solle ihm auf eine Erkenntlichkeit nicht ankommen

English translation: however, he should not count on signs of gratitude


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GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:es solle ihm auf eine Erkenntlichkeit nicht ankommen
English translation:however, he should not count on signs of gratitude
Entered by: Angie Schneider
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12:30 May 15, 2008
German to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / Short Story
German term or phrase: es solle ihm auf eine Erkenntlichkeit nicht ankommen
This comes from the short story, "Gerechtigkeit" by Werner Bergengruen. The story is about a land steward who feels his has been wronged by a farmer; it appears he has wronged the farmer; in the end, the farmer had deceived the steward.

Der Vogt rief den Bauern an, er moechte ihm den Mantel borgen, es solle ihm auf eine Erkenntlichkeit nicht ankommen. Der Bauer entgegnete, der Mantel sei sein, er brauch ihn selbst und sei kein Verleiher.
Does this mean that the farmer should have been appreciative that the steward (Vogt) had approached him? Or that appreciation was not given to the steward?
Angie Schneider
Local time: 07:19
however, he should not count on signs of gratitude
Explanation:
It's just the opposite, "er soll dafür keine Dankbarkeit oder Gegenleistung erwarten".
Selected response from:

szilard
Local time: 14:19
Grading comment
Thank you!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +5he can be sure of a token of the steward’s(!) appreciation.
David Seycek
5 +2however, he should not count on signs of gratitude
szilard


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


7 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
however, he should not count on signs of gratitude


Explanation:
It's just the opposite, "er soll dafür keine Dankbarkeit oder Gegenleistung erwarten".

szilard
Local time: 14:19
Native speaker of: Native in HungarianHungarian
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thank you!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Andrew Swift: Also how I read it, but then I do tend to see irony in a writer’s style where none may actually exist. The second extract (see next question) suggests that Bergengruen is lampooning the Vogt’s attitude. Much depends on who the second ‘ihm’ refers to.
35 mins
  -> Thanks!
agree  Harald Moelzer (medical-translator)
10 hrs
  -> Thanks!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
he can be sure of a token of the steward’s(!) appreciation.


Explanation:
While there may be better ways to word this, I am rather sure that the steward demands the coat and assures the farmer that he will receive something in return.

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Note added at 33 mins (2008-05-15 13:04:00 GMT)
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Angie, please read this carefully. „...er brauche ihn selbst und sei kein **Verleiher**“. (does not rent for money). Erkenntlichkeit: token of appreciation, small reward.

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Note added at 44 mins (2008-05-15 13:14:46 GMT)
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Also, please mind my reply to Andrew’s response. Nada in this sentence hints to a difference in social standing. Erkenntlichkeit kommt von „sich erkenntlich zeigen“ (show one's appreciation).

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Note added at 18 hrs (2008-05-16 06:33:05 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

In my Note added at 44 mins, I am referring to ‘Andrew’s response’, which he chose to remove. Hence again: „Auf [whatever] soll es mir nicht ankommen“ is an idiomatic expression and a set phrase in German. See http://tinyurl.com/6e7ta6

David Seycek
Austria
Local time: 14:19
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in CzechCzech
PRO pts in category: 4
Notes to answerer
Asker: Nothing is being offered in return for the coat. As I read it, the steward believes the farmer should give it to him, because he is of a higher social status than the farmer.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  seehand: sehe ich auch so, auch die Begründung
46 mins
agree  franglish: just so
1 hr
agree  Rebecca Garber: very clear.
2 hrs
agree  Johanna Timm, PhD: verstehe ich auch ganz genau so.
9 hrs
  -> Danke, Johanna.
neutral  Richard Benham: This just doesn't seem to make sense like this.
14 hrs
  -> Well, it does, if you appreciate literary flavors of subjunctive mood and indirect speech.
neutral  Andrew Swift: Dear David, We both share the same understanding of the idiom. The problem lies in the interpretation. My original comment was a ‘neutral’ and still is, because of the uncertainty surrounding the identity of the second ’ihm’. R Benham makes a fair point.
21 hrs
  -> Sure, but as I see it, the second „ihm“ is not ambiguous at all, if you read & understand: „Der Bauer entgegnete, der Mantel sei sein, er brauchE (!) ihn selbst und sei kein **Verleiher**.“ Wouldn't you agree?
agree  yaprak atak: this comes closest to my understanding ... however the irony suggests that he does not see any obligation to do so, he would not be short of a reward
77 days
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