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een fax hebben mogen ontvangen

English translation: we were pleased to receive a fax from . . . .

01:38 Jul 5, 2001
Dutch to English translations [PRO]
Law/Patents
Dutch term or phrase: een fax hebben mogen ontvangen
I'm not entirely sure what the 'mogen' is being used for here. The sentence reads:...dat wij, also gevolg aan [...], een fax hebben mogen ontvangen van de firma X.
Lucy Spring
English translation:we were pleased to receive a fax from . . . .
Explanation:
Titia's answer is, of course correct, especially if the style of the total translation is factual, and in business language. But if you want to stay in tune with the 'register' of the translation, you could the solution above. Although still used in correspondence today 'mogen' is old-fashioned wording with the literal meaning 'we were allowed to' in the 'being granted the privilege-sphere'. Mogen is often inappropriately used today by, for instance, receptionists stating 'u mag daar uw jas ophangen', which could infuriate older people as they might feel talked down to. As 'mag' is more commonly used to talk to small children, as in 'you are allowed to', implied 'not until I tell you'.
Oh, the subtleties of 'mogen' . . . . I did a search on Dutch irregular verbs. do take a look!

Infinitive mogen
Past perfect mocht, mochten
Past participle gemogen
Translation=may
ik mag, jij mag, hij mag, wij mogen, etc.

Grz. Marijke
Selected response from:

Marijke Mayer
Netherlands
Local time: 19:23
Grading comment
Marijke,
You've hit the nail on the head with the register. In English we tend to use a lot of polite formality in official situations, e.g. 'We would kindly ask you', even though it means 'we are asking you to...[and expecting you to do it]'. I always like 'would passengers kindly refrain from..' when they mean 'Don't!'
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
na +1we were pleased to receive a fax from . . . .
Marijke Mayer
nawere provided with a fax from Firm X.
Titia Dijkstra
nacould receive
Davorka Grgic


  

Answers


8 mins
were provided with a fax from Firm X.


Explanation:
This is sentence is no more than Dutch legal speak (very formal language) that the the "we" party received a fax from the other firm.


    six years of experience as a legal translator
    legal courses at English/Dutch universities
Titia Dijkstra
Local time: 19:23
Native speaker of: Native in DutchDutch, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 84
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16 mins
could receive


Explanation:
..literal translation.


HTH

Davorka Grgic
Local time: 19:23
Native speaker of: Native in CroatianCroatian, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in pair: 254
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30 mins peer agreement (net): +1
we were pleased to receive a fax from . . . .


Explanation:
Titia's answer is, of course correct, especially if the style of the total translation is factual, and in business language. But if you want to stay in tune with the 'register' of the translation, you could the solution above. Although still used in correspondence today 'mogen' is old-fashioned wording with the literal meaning 'we were allowed to' in the 'being granted the privilege-sphere'. Mogen is often inappropriately used today by, for instance, receptionists stating 'u mag daar uw jas ophangen', which could infuriate older people as they might feel talked down to. As 'mag' is more commonly used to talk to small children, as in 'you are allowed to', implied 'not until I tell you'.
Oh, the subtleties of 'mogen' . . . . I did a search on Dutch irregular verbs. do take a look!

Infinitive mogen
Past perfect mocht, mochten
Past participle gemogen
Translation=may
ik mag, jij mag, hij mag, wij mogen, etc.

Grz. Marijke



    Reference: http://www.draak.demon.co.uk/dutch/irrverb.html
Marijke Mayer
Netherlands
Local time: 19:23
Native speaker of: Dutch
PRO pts in pair: 525
Grading comment
Marijke,
You've hit the nail on the head with the register. In English we tend to use a lot of polite formality in official situations, e.g. 'We would kindly ask you', even though it means 'we are asking you to...[and expecting you to do it]'. I always like 'would passengers kindly refrain from..' when they mean 'Don't!'

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  jarry (X): Excellent answer!
1 hr
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