This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. German to English
  3. Religion

sentence

English translation: Just a few well-chosen words and the muslim was already on shaky ground.

15:21 May 16, 2002
German to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Religion / religion
German term or phrase: sentence
Mit einiger Rhetorik war da der Muslim rasch aufs Glatteis gesetzt
MSH
Local time: 17:14
English translation:Just a few well-chosen words and the muslim was already on shaky ground.
Explanation:
Or

With just a bit of clever rhetoric, the muslim was quickly brought down to size / on shaky ground.

HTH

Mary

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2002-05-16 15:53:47 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Sorry, Muslim ...
Selected response from:

Mary Worby
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:14
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +4Just a few well-chosen words and the muslim was already on shaky ground.
Mary Worby
4 +1By means of rhetoric the Muslim was swiftly led onto slippery ground.
NGK
4 +1Justa bit of rhetoric was enough to quickly undermine
Dr. Fred Thomson
4After the speech, the Moslem was left standing on shaky ground
Jeannie Graham
4With some rhetoric, the Muslem was soon stalemated.
brute (X)
3Sentence: judicial - das Urteil, grammar - der Satz
sixxxter1 (X)


  

Answers


26 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
Just a few well-chosen words and the muslim was already on shaky ground.


Explanation:
Or

With just a bit of clever rhetoric, the muslim was quickly brought down to size / on shaky ground.

HTH

Mary

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2002-05-16 15:53:47 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Sorry, Muslim ...

Mary Worby
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:14
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 8

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Klaus Herrmann: Like the shaky ground, but 'mit einiger Rhetorik' means quite a bit of rhetoric, i.e. more than just a bit. (Which is also what makes the sentence slightly confusing in German).
8 mins
agree  Sarah Downing: or maybe: brought down a peg or two.
8 mins
agree  Martina Keskintepe: I like the second version with the shaky ground part.
1 hr
agree  Susan Geiblinger: All it need was just.... or All it took was just......
1 hr
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

31 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
After the speech, the Moslem was left standing on shaky ground


Explanation:
although difficult, without knowing the point this sentence is trying to make

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2002-05-16 16:05:01 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I prefer Mary\'s version

Jeannie Graham
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:14
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

43 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
By means of rhetoric the Muslim was swiftly led onto slippery ground.


Explanation:
Alternatively:

All it took was some rhetoric to lead the Muslim swiftly onto slippery ground.

NGK
United States
Local time: 11:14
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 24

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  jerrie
6 mins
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

50 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
With some rhetoric, the Muslem was soon stalemated.


Explanation:
Phrasing option!

brute (X)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Justa bit of rhetoric was enough to quickly undermine


Explanation:
the Moslem's arguments.
As a pronoun "einiger" can mean "a lot" but here (an adjective) it should mean just a bit

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2002-05-16 16:22:57 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

einige, not einiger

Dr. Fred Thomson
United States
Local time: 10:14
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 16

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Sheila Hardie: this sounds very natural:)
1 hr
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Sentence: judicial - das Urteil, grammar - der Satz


Explanation:
Did you want the word or the sentence translated?

sixxxter1 (X)
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



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.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search