This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. German to English
  3. Printing & Publishing

sprachliche Betreuung

English translation: linguistic adviser

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:sprachliche Betreuung
English translation:linguistic adviser
Entered by: ENGSOL

19:42 Apr 29, 2005
German to English translations [PRO]
Printing & Publishing
German term or phrase: sprachliche Betreuung
This is the function or the 'title' of a person on a textbook editorial team. It appears in the imprint section of the book next to the person's name.

My customer, a German publishing house, has been using the term "linguistic advisor" in its English textbooks to describe the English native speakers who proofread the texts written by German authors.

Is that the most elegant solution, I wonder?

Can anyone think of a term that sounds slightly less grand than *editor* (that's the *Herausgeber*, in this case) but not quite as unimportant as *proofreader*? ;-)

TIA
ENGSOL
linguistic advisor
Explanation:
This person is neither an editor nor a proofreader, but an expert whose background may include a degree/training in linguistics, and who probably works as a consultant to ensure linguistic accuracy.
There is nothing wrong with this term.
Selected response from:

Teresa Reinhardt
United States
Local time: 18:48
Grading comment
Thanks to everyone for the intelligent input. I've decided to keep the "linguistic adviser" (yes, it was "adviser" in the original - but thanks anyway, Andrew and Erik). I must say, I thought along the same lines as Andrew when I first read the term. The "linguistic" just sounded too technical or academic to my ears. (BTW, a bit of googling revealed that "language adviser" is very often used to describe a student advisor, e.g. in a university language department). I also like Textclick's suggestion (linguistic reviewer) and I'll run it by my customer. Thanks again for taking the trouble to split a few hairs here :-) http://www.tlhs.org/l_hair118.jpg
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +4linguistic advisor
Teresa Reinhardt
3 +4language adviser
Lancashireman
4 +3Linguistic reviewer
Textklick
4linguistic advisor
Sandy A Pirie
4error minimizers/underpaid students/linguistic dogsbodies
Francis Lee (X)
3editorial responsibility
Rolf Buesken (X)


Discussion entries: 5





  

Answers


9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +4
linguistic advisor


Explanation:
This person is neither an editor nor a proofreader, but an expert whose background may include a degree/training in linguistics, and who probably works as a consultant to ensure linguistic accuracy.
There is nothing wrong with this term.


Teresa Reinhardt
United States
Local time: 18:48
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 11
Grading comment
Thanks to everyone for the intelligent input. I've decided to keep the "linguistic adviser" (yes, it was "adviser" in the original - but thanks anyway, Andrew and Erik). I must say, I thought along the same lines as Andrew when I first read the term. The "linguistic" just sounded too technical or academic to my ears. (BTW, a bit of googling revealed that "language adviser" is very often used to describe a student advisor, e.g. in a university language department). I also like Textclick's suggestion (linguistic reviewer) and I'll run it by my customer. Thanks again for taking the trouble to split a few hairs here :-) http://www.tlhs.org/l_hair118.jpg

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  silfilla
4 mins
agree  Armorel Young
34 mins
agree  Erik Macki: In U.S. English "adviser" is now standard (per Merriam-Webster, American Heritage, etc.).
3 hrs
agree  Sonia Soros
10 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +4
language adviser


Explanation:
If the target readership is UK, please consider using ‘adviser’ rather than 'advisor'. A ‘linguistic adviser’ would know everything about languages from the dawn of humanity to the present age. ‘Language advisers’ are simply competent and confident in the usage of their native tongue.

Lancashireman
United Kingdom
Local time: 02:48
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 56

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Laurens Landkroon: If you look at the context, this would certainly make more sense than "linguistic advisor" ; the readers probably don't make a big deal of the difference, but for one thing, this word combination sounds/reads less academic,,,,,,,
23 mins
agree  Susanne Rindlisbacher
1 hr
agree  Erik Macki: This solution is also just fine. However, a primary definition of "linguistic" is "of or pertaining to language(s)," so you may be splitting a hair that only academics would appreciate.
3 hrs
  -> Hair splitting can be tremendous fun. What participant in this forum could resist the opportunity to split a hair or two? Without a regular supply of hairs to split our evenings would be that much duller ;-)
agree  Maureen Millington-Brodie
2 days 21 hrs
  -> Thanks, Maureen! Greetings from one 'language adviser' to another ('expressis verbis')
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

20 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
linguistic advisor


Explanation:
These people may indeed also have editorial functions going beyond mere proofreading - tracking down pictures, suggesting alterations in exercises, perhaps even re-writing (creatively) badly composed or grammatically incorrect copy.
'linguistic advisor' in my opinion gives an indication of such duties and responsibilities.
Sometimes people are simply thanked on such a page eg
'Special thanks are due to x,y, and z for their help and advice'

Sandy A Pirie
Local time: 02:48
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

30 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
Linguistic reviewer


Explanation:
In my personal experience, 'LA's are used more in recording work.

I think 'LR' also sounds grander than proofreader, for what it's worth. Splitting hairs, I suppose it should be review, rather than reviewer.

Textklick
Local time: 02:48
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 52

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Mario Marcolin
2 hrs
  -> Thanks Mario
agree  Erik Macki: This is a great solution to this problem. A reviewer sounds better than a proofreader but is clearly beneath the editor.
3 hrs
  -> Thanks Erik
agree  jerrie: Absolutely!
3 days 15 hrs
  -> Thanks Jerrie
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
editorial responsibility


Explanation:
It simply sound 'more English' to me.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs 38 mins (2005-04-29 22:21:19 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

sound => sounds


    Professional experience
Rolf Buesken (X)
Local time: 11:48
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 day 13 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
error minimizers/underpaid students/linguistic dogsbodies


Explanation:
That's what they are, after all. Native speakers who stoop so low as to "proofread" English written by Germans cannot IMO be termed professional editors or advisors.

Francis Lee (X)
Local time: 03:48
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search