English translation: (pilgrimages or) devotional voyages
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.
17:47 May 5, 2011
German to English translations [PRO] Social Sciences - Religion / pilgrimage
German term or phrase:Wallfahren
I have always thought that "wallfahren" was going on a pilgrimage, similarly to "pilgern". The text that I am dealing with at the moment, however, poses a problem. Here, both Pilgern and Wallfahren are used together in the same sentence.
I'm not sure how to differentiate between the two terms. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this question and the very interesting discussions. After much reflection, I decided to distinguish between the two, using pilgrimage and devotional journey. Once again, thanks to all who helped put me on the right path ;-) 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
Wallfahrt ist a short distance pilgrimage to some holy place (a church, but it may as well be just a tiny little chapel) , whereas a Pilgerfahrt is a long(er) pilgrimage. Nobody would say, in German: "Wir gehen auf Wallfahrt nach Santiago de Compostela".
Of course you're right, this is often true! In this case, however, I do find there is a difference, as seeking spiritual awareness and aiming for a holy site are two different spiritual "processes". It's up to Jeux de Mots to decide which word game she'll play.
Just because there are two words in German doesn't mean you have to use two words in English. If it's all covered by "pilgrimage" (the usual word), then just stick to that. There are lots of instances where two words in one languageare usually covered by one in another language.
On the subject of devotional journeys and pilgrimage
pilgrim and devotional routes/paths
perhaps?
I don't know of any special term to differentiate the two, but a time of spiritual reflection while "on the road" is often called a devotional, the goal is not necessarily a sacred place, but more a time of inner exploration/discovery seeking spiritual awareness. Retreat is not far off, but is stationary, where as a devotional is in motion, usually - but not necessarily - on foot. http://www.theologie-systematisch.de/spiritualitaet/wallfahr...
möglicherweise versucht der Text zu unterscheiden zwischen einem eher kulturell und touristisch inspirierten Pilgern (dies Wort bezeichnet ja umgangssprachlich eine eher lässige Art der Fortbewegung), und streng genommen religiös motivierter Wallfahrt.
This post doesn't really add anything new, but just to confirm the distinction: my old German diocese (Regensburg) offered "Wallfahrten" to fairly close places (thousands would walk to Altötting during May and October, for example). By contrast, I myself am currently undertaking (in stages!) a "Pilgerreise" to Santiago de Compostela. But I'd use "pilgrimage" to describe both of those! Perhaps you can render your sentence(s) "1000 km of traditional long- and short-distance pilgrimage routes".
This source cites the terms "long-distance" and "short-distance" in relation to pilgrimages: http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=sCY4sAjTGIYC&pg=PA225&lpg...
(ich schlage oft darin nach) sagt über Wallfahrt (von wallen = zu Fuß reisen), "In engerm Verstande ist es eine Andachtsreise zu einem heiligen Orte, in welchem es in der Römischen Kirche noch völlig gangbar ist" und kommentiert, daß ältere Schriftsteller statt dessen "Bethefahrt" schreiben. "Pilger" ist für ihn allgemein ein "Ausländer" zu Fuß, "In der engsten und üblichsten Bedeutung ist ein Pilger oder Pilgrim, besonders in der römischen Kirche, derjenige, welcher aus Andacht zu entfernten gottesdienstlichen Orten reiset, oder wallfahrtet." "Pilgerfahrt" "die Fahrt oder Reise an einen entfernten heiligen Ort; die Wallfahrt." Kurzum, die Unterscheidung ist ihm auch nicht klar. Die Links deuten eher in die Richtung, daß bei "Pilgerfahrt" die Reise als geistig/geistliche Übung (Adelung, "Pilgerschaft ... der Zustand, da jemand ein Pilger oder eine Pilgerin ist ...") betont, und "Wallfahrt" das Ziel und dessen Heiligkeit betont (etwa in "Wallfahrtskirche").
was that "wallfahren" (to go on a pilgrimage) is a rather older word than "pilgern"
#
dict.cc | wallfahren | English Dictionary
English Translation for wallfahren - dict.cc German-English Dictionary
www.dict.cc/?s=wallfahren
#
Translation pilier | English-German Dictionary | Reverso
pilier translation English - German : pilgrimage n Wallfahrt f , Pilgerfahrt f to go on or make a pilgrimage pilgern, wallfahren, eine Pilger- or Wallfahrt machen in ...
dictionary.reverso.net/english-german/pilier
According to your own link the main distinction between Wallfahrt and Pilgerreise is the proximity of the destination (Wallfahrt normally to closer destinations). Unfortunately in English, as you probably know, it is always translated with pilgrimage; maybe you just have to adda footnote with some remarks as to the distinction between the two; all the best
So wie ich sibsabs Link verstehe, scheinen Pilgerreisen in Richtung 'spiritual retreat' zu gehen, während Wallfahrten sich mehr auf einen religiösen Ort konzentrieren. Vielleicht kannst Du mit 'retreat' arbeiten?
My apologies for not including more in the posting. In fact, my problem is there isn't much of a sentence to go on, but rather short bullet points within the document. A few examples of these are below (taken from different parts of the document):
- Aufarbeitung des Themas Wallfahren und Pilgern
- 1.000 km traditioneller Pilger- und Wallfahrtsrouten
- Kennzeichnung von Pilger- und Wallfahrtswegen
Explanation: Trying something adaptable in regard to number or word class, just to make a start.
Horst Huber Local time: 12:40 Native speaker of: German PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this question and the very interesting discussions. After much reflection, I decided to distinguish between the two, using pilgrimage and devotional journey. Once again, thanks to all who helped put me on the right path ;-)
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +1
