Glossary entry (derived from question below)
German term or phrase:
Streit vom Bauzaun bricht.
English translation:
to incite public dispute over unsightly structures á là Prince Charles
Added to glossary by
Ramey Rieger (X)
Jun 30, 2013 10:06
11 yrs ago
1 viewer *
German term
Streit vom Bauzaun bricht.
German to English
Other
Architecture
Hello everyone,
I am translating a news paper article - a commentary on the state of architecture and housing culture in Germany.
Es braucht also den Streit, wie ihn Prinz Charles gern vom Bauzaun bricht. Doch wird ein solcher Streit nur dann produktiv, wenn man ihn als eine offene Auseinandersetzung begreift.
I know it is a play on the expression "Streit vom Zaun brechen", but I am not sure how to produce the same effect by using some architecture/housing-related analogy for 'picking a fight'.
Just to give you guys some context:
Prinz Charles ist der schärfste Architekturkritiker der Gegenwart. Und obwohl manche ihn belächeln, ihn einen kauzigen Nostalgiker schimpfen, ist sein Einfluss doch beträchtlich. Hierzulande fehlt einer wie er, einer, der sich nicht abfindet mit den ungezählten Scheußlichkeiten, die das Land überziehen. Der gegen die Beliebigkeit, die Kälte, die Geschichtsvergessenheit vieler neuer Bauwerke zu Felde zieht.
Thanks in advance!
Sonali
I am translating a news paper article - a commentary on the state of architecture and housing culture in Germany.
Es braucht also den Streit, wie ihn Prinz Charles gern vom Bauzaun bricht. Doch wird ein solcher Streit nur dann produktiv, wenn man ihn als eine offene Auseinandersetzung begreift.
I know it is a play on the expression "Streit vom Zaun brechen", but I am not sure how to produce the same effect by using some architecture/housing-related analogy for 'picking a fight'.
Just to give you guys some context:
Prinz Charles ist der schärfste Architekturkritiker der Gegenwart. Und obwohl manche ihn belächeln, ihn einen kauzigen Nostalgiker schimpfen, ist sein Einfluss doch beträchtlich. Hierzulande fehlt einer wie er, einer, der sich nicht abfindet mit den ungezählten Scheußlichkeiten, die das Land überziehen. Der gegen die Beliebigkeit, die Kälte, die Geschichtsvergessenheit vieler neuer Bauwerke zu Felde zieht.
Thanks in advance!
Sonali
Proposed translations
(English)
References
vom Zaun brechen | philgoddard |
Change log
Jul 1, 2013 11:13: Ramey Rieger (X) Created KOG entry
Proposed translations
21 hrs
Selected
to incite public dispute over unsightly structures á là Prince Charles
perhaps
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks everyone for your suggestions and time. I liked quite a few suggestions; "raise the roof" suggested by gangels for instance. I was considering using the following sentence:
"Consequently, following Prince Charles’ example, there is a need to “raise the roof” about the (architectural) design issue".
But like Tecton pointed out, I decided that the register might take a hit. That is why I picked something neutral like "incite public dispute" suggested by Ramey.
Thanks Ramey and thank you everybody for helping me out here. Really appreciate the effort. "
+1
47 mins
to provoke an argument / to raise a controversy / to start an argument / to make the fur fly
Death penalty continues to raise controversy
http://www.thesouthend.wayne.edu/archives/article_ac05308d-5...
How to start an argument
Many people are already experts in starting arguments. I just want to show you ways you haven't thought of before. Since starting an argument happens all the time I am assuming most of you are already experts.
Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_4512635_start-an-argument.html#ixzz2...
make the fur fly and make the feathers fly
Fig. to cause a fight or an argument; to create an uproar. When your mother gets home and sees what you've done, she'll really make the fur fly. When those two get together, they'll make the feathers fly. They hate each other.
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/make the fur fly
http://www.thesouthend.wayne.edu/archives/article_ac05308d-5...
How to start an argument
Many people are already experts in starting arguments. I just want to show you ways you haven't thought of before. Since starting an argument happens all the time I am assuming most of you are already experts.
Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_4512635_start-an-argument.html#ixzz2...
make the fur fly and make the feathers fly
Fig. to cause a fight or an argument; to create an uproar. When your mother gets home and sees what you've done, she'll really make the fur fly. When those two get together, they'll make the feathers fly. They hate each other.
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/make the fur fly
Peer comment(s):
agree |
philgoddard
: I don't think the play on words works in English, and it's no great loss to ignore it in the translation.
10 hrs
|
Thank you!
|
2 hrs
German term (edited):
einen Streit vom Bauzaun brechen
to build up a dispute
To build an argument is a common phrase though not quite appropriate here, but to build up a dispute could work.
Peer comment(s):
neutral |
Helen Shiner
: To build an argument is an intellectual pursuit; you don't use it for having an argument in this sense; to build a dispute is not a phrase I've ever heard before. EN is, of course, a very trying language!!/I guess there is a variety of puns going on here.
2 hrs
|
I know what you mean but then neither have I come across "Streit vom Bauzaun brechen. I think poetic licence is allowed in this case. Also, I'm familiar with "building an argument..." /Cheers, have a sweet evening!
|
+1
4 hrs
that shakes the foundations / raises the roof
It takes an iconoclast like Prince Charles to cause a furore that shakes the foundations/raises the roof.
The key is some sort of reference to the building trade, I guess
The key is some sort of reference to the building trade, I guess
9 hrs
start a discussion about the site fence
Es braucht also den Streit, wie ihn Prinz Charles gern vom Bauzaun bricht. Doch wird ein solcher Streit nur dann produktiv, wenn man ihn als eine offene Auseinandersetzung begreift.
Then, it needs a discussion, as readily started by Prince Charles about the site fence. However, any such discussion is productive only if it is comprehended as an open discussion.
Then, it needs a discussion, as readily started by Prince Charles about the site fence. However, any such discussion is productive only if it is comprehended as an open discussion.
9 hrs
dispute ... raised from the drawing board
Might convey the suggestion that the fight is incited without provocation (which is the point in "vom Zaun brechen"). Otherwise, something like "stirred up by design"?
11 hrs
provoke controversy
So while controversy of the kind Prince Charles likes to provoke is necessary,...
I would not try to find a building / architectural idiom in the English translation as it is likely to be much clunkier than the original ( e.g. "throwing brickbats" comes to mind) and could read very forced and change the register of the piece.
I would not try to find a building / architectural idiom in the English translation as it is likely to be much clunkier than the original ( e.g. "throwing brickbats" comes to mind) and could read very forced and change the register of the piece.
18 hrs
disturb the architectural peace/ general complacency about design
Since "einen Streit vom Zaun brechen" means 'picking a fight' and has a connotation of 'unnecessary/annoying/ for the heck of it'
something like this might work
something like this might work
18 hrs
the architectual battle Prince Charles likes to fight
"The kind of architectual battle Prince Charles likes to fight is sorely needed."
That would do it, in my opinon.
That would do it, in my opinon.
Reference comments
11 hrs
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