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lagerrechtlich
Jul 13, 2009 08:18
15 yrs ago
3 viewers *
German term

Augen auf beim Gerätekauf

German to English Art/Literary General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters eco tips website
This is from a website giving students tips on saving energy. It's a heading for a section on watching the energy-efficiency ratings of what you buy. I'm a bit stumped for ideas to make it sound catchy in English. The best I can do is "Use your eyes when you buy a device". Is anyone feeling inspired?! Thanks!

"**Augen auf beim Gerätekauf**
Achten Sie bei der Anschaffung neuer Geräte auf den Energieverbrauch! Unter www.energiesparende-geraete.de können Sie sich vorab informieren. "
Proposed translations (English)
3 +4 Open your eyes and be energy-wise
3 +4 Keep an eye on the energy science when buying your appliance
3 +4 Be an energy savvy consumer
4 Keep your eyes wide open when buying the device
4 Pay attention to the energy consumption when shopping around
3 Peel you eyes when buying appliances
3 Check the make before you make the cheque
2 Buying an appliance? Make use of energy-saving science!

Discussion

Penny Hewson (X) Jul 13, 2009:
Explain to customer You need to explain to the customer that it probably won't be possibly to come up with a snappy slogan that rhymes as in the German
hazmatgerman (X) Jul 13, 2009:
As they say: you'd better look twice.

Proposed translations

+4
3 hrs
Selected

Open your eyes and be energy-wise

It's clear from the body text ("bei der Anschaffung neuer Geräte") that it's about buying electrical appliances, so no real need to include it in the heading too.
Peer comment(s):
agree franglish
33 mins
agree Nicole Schnell
6 hrs
agree Anne-Marie Grant (X)
9 hrs
agree Wendy Lewin : like it!
19 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "That's brilliant Cilian, thanks!"
10 mins

Peel you eyes when buying appliances

Just one of no doubt countless possibilities.

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Note added at 11 mins (2009-07-13 08:30:24 GMT)
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*your* eyes, of course.
Peer comment(s):
neutral franglish : It's "keep your eyes peeled"// OK, an illocutionary act, then... ouch! Thanks for the link(s), I'll have to dig deeper.
3 hrs
You're so right. Nonetheless, let me bashfully refer you to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._L._Austin
Something went wrong...
22 mins

Keep your eyes wide open when buying the device

just another possibility!

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Note added at 26 mins (2009-07-13 08:45:24 GMT)
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Or another option:

"Look carefully when buying a device"
Something went wrong...
+4
29 mins

Keep an eye on the energy science when buying your appliance

Just trying to make it rhyme!! Perhaps someone can improve on this.
Peer comment(s):
agree Amphyon
26 mins
agree mustafaer : -
1 hr
neutral David Williams : I'd say "energy consumption" rather than "energy science". Although it's a nice idea to say "science" to rhyme with "appliance", it sounds rather forced.
2 hrs
The point was to make "science" rhyme with "appliance"!!
agree Anne-Marie Grant (X) : Think 'energy science' then buy the appliance :)
11 hrs
agree robin25
2 days 4 hrs
Something went wrong...
29 mins

Buying an appliance? Make use of energy-saving science!

Not perfect but maybe an idea if you really want it to rhyme.
Something went wrong...
+4
2 hrs

Be an energy savvy consumer

"Energy savvy" is a common enough phrase, at least in UK English.

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Note added at 2 hrs (2009-07-13 10:59:23 GMT)
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You could even dispense with the word "energy", since it's explained in the sentence under the headline, and just have "Be a savvy consumer".
Peer comment(s):
agree David Williams : Not bad. At least this isn't as hyper-literal as the others :-)
17 mins
Thank you. Something short and sweet is needed. The German is after all short and sweet. Why have a headline that's nearly as long as the explanatory sentence?
agree Harald Moelzer (medical-translator)
2 hrs
agree nic456 : yep!
3 hrs
agree Kim Bakkers : or be a savvy shopper :)
8 hrs
Something went wrong...
2 hrs

Pay attention to the energy consumption when shopping around

Sorry, but the other suggestions all just sound far too literal & very translated.
Something went wrong...
4 hrs

Check the make before you make the cheque

The phrase is probably catchy enough but I am not sure if it is stylistically appropriate :-)

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Note added at 4 hrs (2009-07-13 12:33:54 GMT)
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Or: Check out the make before you make out the cheque
Something went wrong...
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