https://www.proz.com/kudoz/german-to-english/art-literary/591952-sich-einhorchen.html
Dec 11, 2003 02:57
20 yrs ago
German term

sich einhorchen

German to English Art/Literary
By Moshe Waldmann

Weh

Weh,
Weh ist ein Lied. Das schönste Lied vom Leid,
der tiefste Gesang in sich -
wie das Gebet eines Vogels
am Morgen,
das keiner versteht,
wie das stille Lispeln des Flusses
am Abend,
das keiner hört.

Weh ist ein Lied.
Und was ist Leid?
Wenn ein Glied zum andern betet
und alles herum,
der Mensch und das Gras, beugt den Kopf
und **horcht sich ein**.

Is it simply 'listen'?

TIA for your kind help!!

Discussion

Non-ProZ.com Dec 11, 2003:
Svitlana, e-rich and Kim Yes, I think we're finally cooking. If one (here: any sensient being) listens with undivided attention, with their whole being, so to speak, then, and only then, deep understanding will come about. In this context: all living things know suffering. However, is there a more poetic term for 'perception'?

Proposed translations

+1
1 hr
Selected

hearken deep / hearken as one

Your choice, whether to go to the next level and convey the "sich ein-".
Peer comment(s):

agree Gareth McMillan : This is the way to go....if asker can match the language style?
2 hrs
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Hearken as one. The more I think about it, the more it feels right. Thank you so much , Maureen, and all the others!!"
14 mins

listen carefully?

carefully makes it more of 'einhorchen', rather then just 'hoeren', imho
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21 mins

to listen within (oneself)

my version, after listening to myself .....
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34 mins

listens to find perception

Einhören is defined as 'durch wiederholtes Hören kennen u. verstehen lernen' and I assume einhorchen has the same literal meaning. So I think 'sich einhorchen' is listen until one perceives.

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Note added at 1 hr 31 mins (2003-12-11 04:29:15 GMT)
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Instead of perception, you might use knowledge, insight, intuition, or understanding. Listens to understand.
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