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Pfauenauge

English translation: European peacock

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Pfauenauge
English translation:European peacock
Entered by: Thomas Bollmann

22:37 Jul 20, 2001
German to English translations [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary
German term or phrase: Pfauenauge
It is a German word but used as someone's surname in a novel. i.e. Sasha Pfauenauge
Teacher Tetelle
European peacock
Explanation:
latin name: inachis io
one of Central Europe's most colourful butterflies; larvae (caterpillars) feed on stinging nettle. A reason for many people to keep an 'Öko-Ecke'(weeds) in their gardens.

In a literary context ...
I imagine Sasha to be a colourful and glamorous person, a little flippant maybe. Someone who understands he won't live for ever?

Pfauenauge is not a usual German surname, some hint to Sasha's personality must be intended.

But - we don't translate surnames.

HTH

Selected response from:

Uschi (Ursula) Walke
Local time: 04:21
Grading comment
I was able, based upon your response, to locate a good picture of this butterfly (schmetterling). Note: On its lower wings, the blue/black 'eye' looks like a skull. Whoa! Thanks so much. Tetelle
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
na +1Peacock's eye
Mats Wiman
na +1The confusion
beermatt
naEuropean peacock
Uschi (Ursula) Walke
naPfauenauge
Thomas Bollmann
na -1peacock moth or butterfly
Kim Metzger


  

Answers


8 mins peer agreement (net): +1
Peacock's eye


Explanation:
Pfau=peacock
Auge=eye

Pfau f = in Swedish: 'påfågel'
Norstedt on 'påfågel':
påfågel s
peacock (spec. cock)
hen peahen;
gen.also peafowl


    Norstedts+MW
Mats Wiman
Sweden
Local time: 20:21
Native speaker of: Native in SwedishSwedish
PRO pts in pair: 1498

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Trudy Peters
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24 mins peer agreement (net): -1
peacock moth or butterfly


Explanation:
Just another translation.


    Harper Collins
Kim Metzger
Mexico
Local time: 12:21
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 22192

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Uschi (Ursula) Walke: sorry, not moth (butterfly of the night), this is a day species.:-)
4 hrs
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3 hrs
European peacock


Explanation:
latin name: inachis io
one of Central Europe's most colourful butterflies; larvae (caterpillars) feed on stinging nettle. A reason for many people to keep an 'Öko-Ecke'(weeds) in their gardens.

In a literary context ...
I imagine Sasha to be a colourful and glamorous person, a little flippant maybe. Someone who understands he won't live for ever?

Pfauenauge is not a usual German surname, some hint to Sasha's personality must be intended.

But - we don't translate surnames.

HTH




    lepidopterist, yours truly
Uschi (Ursula) Walke
Local time: 04:21
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in pair: 492
Grading comment
I was able, based upon your response, to locate a good picture of this butterfly (schmetterling). Note: On its lower wings, the blue/black 'eye' looks like a skull. Whoa! Thanks so much. Tetelle
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

5 hrs
Pfauenauge


Explanation:
A "Pfauenauge" is of course a butterfly, but I personally wouldn't translate it, because it is a name, except that you translate every name


    native German
Thomas Bollmann
Germany
Local time: 20:21
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in pair: 92
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6 hrs peer agreement (net): +1
The confusion


Explanation:
in the discussion over "butterfly" or "moth" probably comes from the fact that in German, there are three different species which in German are called "Pfauenauge", and they each have a different name in English.
Tagpfauenauge = peacock or argus butterfly
Abendpfauenauge = eyed hawk moth
Nachtpfauenauge = emperor moth

But that's beside the point.
Difficult decision whether to translate the name or not.
Always depending on the context for which the translation is intended, I'd probably leave it and explain in a footnote; or just leave it (without a footnote).

beermatt
Local time: 20:21
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 53

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Uschi (Ursula) Walke: thank you and apologies to Kim
11 hrs
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