weisen

English translation: cause

18:57 Mar 8, 2007

German to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Accounting / Quarterly earnings

German term or phrase: weisen

The general context is an article against the current practice of issuing quarterly earnings forecasts because of possible negative consequences. This particular passage is part of an explanation of what corporations do to live up to the expectations of the earnings forecasts (i.e. a negative consequence):

Die amerikanische Firma Enron *wiesen* nicht nur kriminelle Aktivitäten, sondern auch langfristige Garantien in den Ruin, die völlig legal, aber „Off Balance“ gebucht waren.

I've never heard *weisen* used this way, and am having a problem figuring out how to formulate the translation. So far I have (rough 1st version): The American company Enron not only.... criminal activities, but also ruined long-term guarantees that were entirely legal, but booked "off balance".
Thanks for you help.

Woodstock (X) KudoZ activity Questions: 52 (none open) (3 closed without grading) Answers: 168 Germany
Local time: 05:48

English translation:cause

Explanation:
Not only criminal activities caused/led to/ the downfall of Enron...

"weisen" is short for "den Weg weisen"; in your context it obviously has ironic overtones

Selected response from:

Johanna Timm, PhD
Canada
Local time: 20:48

Grading comment

Thanks Johanna, all answers were helpful, but this was the simplest, most direct solution.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

3 +2

cause

Johanna Timm, PhD

hier im Sinn von "treiben"

Sabine Trautewein

to lead into ruin

BrigitteHilgner

(here:) pave the way (into ...)

Gert Sass (M.A.)

Discussion entries: 1

Answers

10 mins confidence:

hier im Sinn von "treiben"

Explanation:
So maybe something like "The ruin of the American company Enron were not only its criminal activities, but also long-term..."
or: "The American company Enron was ruined ..."
or : "What caused the ruin of the American company Enron were not only..."

Sabine Trautewein
Local time: 05:48
Native speaker of:

German
PRO pts in category: 4

10 mins confidence:

to lead into ruin

Explanation:
I agree - in this context, the word "weisen" is odd.

BrigitteHilgner
Austria
Local time: 05:48
Native speaker of:

German
PRO pts in category: 26

11 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

cause

Explanation:
Not only criminal activities caused/led to/ the downfall of Enron...

"weisen" is short for "den Weg weisen"; in your context it obviously has ironic overtones

Johanna Timm, PhD
Canada
Local time: 20:48
Native speaker of:

German
PRO pts in category: 71

Grading comment

Thanks Johanna, all answers were helpful, but this was the simplest, most direct solution.

58 mins confidence:

(here:) pave the way (into ...)

Explanation:
"Enron's way into ruin was not only paved by ... but also ..."

Gert Sass (M.A.)
Germany
Local time: 05:48
Native speaker of: German
PRO pts in category: 7

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English translation: cause

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