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unterstellende = (typo?) untersteuernde? (sports car)

English translation: understeer

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:untersteuern
English translation:understeer

08:48 Mar 2, 2001
German to English translations [PRO]
Tech/Engineering
German term or phrase: unterstellende = (typo?) untersteuernde? (sports car)
Unterstellende = (typo?) untersteuernde? (sports car)

Does the word _unterstellende_ here stand for synonymous with _untersteuernde_, perhaps due to a typo?


General context: performance of sports car
Specific context:
>>Denn wer im öffentlichen Straßenverkehr probieren will, dass nach einer breiten unterstellenden Phase in der Kurve noch eine etwas schmalere übersteuernde (Phase – R.B.) das Heck nach außen schwenken lässt, der muss sich über mindestens zweierlei klar sein: So ein Auto kostet xxx000 Mark, und es hat schon jetzt eine ziemlich lange Lieferzeit.
Tom Funke
Local time: 02:04
revised opinion
Explanation:
After further consideration, I think that here 'unterstellende' means (approximately) 'subservient' (e.g. Langenscheidt, 'unterstellen ...: jemandem etwas unterstellen: to put someone in charge of something'. Practically speaking, it would amount to understeering, since the driver is always in control as long as the car understeers, but can easily (and quickly) lose control if the car oversteers. Still, what the text says is something like '... that following a prolonged interval of controllable behaviour in a curve, a shorter interval of oversteering lets the rear end swing out...
Selected response from:

Ken Cox
Local time: 08:04
Grading comment
Thanks much, Ken and H. Decker! The customer meanwhile confirmed that the term here is used "synonymous" with untersteuernd/e -- but not in which of the two possible senses Ken very interestingly pointed out.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
nayes, untersteurende
Ken Cox
naUndersteering
Harry Decker
narevised opinion
Ken Cox
naaddendum
Tom Funke


  

Answers


5 hrs
yes, untersteurende


Explanation:
Hi Tom, this must be 'untersteurende', since it makes perfect sense in the context (and 'unterstellende' makes no sense at all).

As you can imagine, the author is describing a recipe for disaster (or at least a good fright).

Ken Cox
Local time: 08:04
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 5905
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5 hrs
Understeering


Explanation:
I also agree with your supposition that it is a typo. It is not possible to conceive how "Unterstellende" might make any sense in this context.


    self
Harry Decker
Local time: 02:04
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 51
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1 day 17 hrs
revised opinion


Explanation:
After further consideration, I think that here 'unterstellende' means (approximately) 'subservient' (e.g. Langenscheidt, 'unterstellen ...: jemandem etwas unterstellen: to put someone in charge of something'. Practically speaking, it would amount to understeering, since the driver is always in control as long as the car understeers, but can easily (and quickly) lose control if the car oversteers. Still, what the text says is something like '... that following a prolonged interval of controllable behaviour in a curve, a shorter interval of oversteering lets the rear end swing out...


    experience
Ken Cox
Local time: 08:04
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 5905
Grading comment
Thanks much, Ken and H. Decker! The customer meanwhile confirmed that the term here is used "synonymous" with untersteuernd/e -- but not in which of the two possible senses Ken very interestingly pointed out.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

3 days 9 hrs
addendum


Explanation:
Unlikely as the use of _unterstellend_ for _untersteuernd_ might otherwise seem, in this case it's quite likely to be intentional: This German writer loves to use numerous and occasionally somewhat far-fetched metaphors and wordplays to keep the copy lively. Since Ken had no way of knowing that, his afterthought is especially insightful.

Tom Funke
Local time: 02:04
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in pair: 2419
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