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13:31 Mar 11, 2011
German to English translations [PRO] Tourism & Travel
German term or phrase:Stadtsoldaten-Corps
Found in a tourism brochure about events in Germany. There is an event held by the Stadtsoldaten-corps, and I'm not sure how I should translate this.
in Switzerland, in former times, it was the elite military corps that, at this time of the year (carnival), marched through the streets of Basel. Instead of soldier corps one might thus just as well say military corps in the present context.
If you google "Manöverball"+"Stadtsoldaten", this is clearly about Carnival, with people dressing up in historical "city militia" uniforms, and nothing to do with real (present-day) soldiers.
Reference information: In their flashy red and white uniforms (Cologne's colors) the "Rote Funken" are an integral part of Karneval, the period between Nov. 11 and Ash-Wednesday. The "Rote Funken" is the oldest and largest Carnival society in Cologne with about 500 male members and the "Funkenmariechen" (the dancing girl). She symbolizes the "Marketenderin" who mothered and entertained the soldiers. The dancing officer had been the former army doctor. Historical ties link the "Rote Funken" to the old city soldiers. When Cologne became a free city in the 1600s it needed its own "army" to guard the gates of the medieval city wall, collect taxes and provide a kind of police authority. Because of their red uniforms, the soldiers were called "Rote Funken." Their uniform has remained unchanged in all those years.
The activities of the "Rote Funken" are based on, and poking fun of, military tradition. The members of the corps are divided up into 4 companies. Each company has its own symbol, worn by the members on their swords. These symbols are a knitted sock, an onion, a spinning top and a champagne cork. The official language of the "Rote Funken" is "Kölsch," the local dialect. Every Funk has a Kölsch nickname, expressing a special characteristic or connection to his occupation.
In 1815, after Napoleon's defeat, the Prussians were in Cologne. But its citizens had no great love for them, and when their Carnival was reorganized in 1823, they formed a new group, wearing the uniforms of the former city soldiers and satirizing the stiff Prussian military. That was the birth of today's "Rote Funken." In 1998, they celebrated their 175th anniversary. Like the Cologne cathedral, the unique Rhine panorama, Eau de Cologne and Kölsch beer, they are a part of Cologne culture.
Ruth Reichmann
Max Kade German-American Center http://www.mrshea.com/germusa/customs/kolner.htm
Kim Metzger Mexico Works in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 88
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +2
