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Glossary entry

German term or phrase:

amerikanischen Raum

English translation:

America

Added to glossary by Jo Bennett
Jan 24, 2014 11:17
10 yrs ago
1 viewer *
German term

amerikanischen Raum

German to English Bus/Financial Environment & Ecology Article on sustainable investment
Context: Eine neue Initiative kommt aus dem amerikanischen Raum. Please can someone provide clarity as to which part or parts of the American continents this term normally refers to? Thanks!
Proposed translations (English)
4 +2 American continent
3 USA and Canada/North America
3 the Americas
Change log

Jan 24, 2014 14:54: franglish changed "Level" from "Non-PRO" to "PRO"

Votes to reclassify question as PRO/non-PRO:

PRO (3): BrigitteHilgner, Steffen Walter, franglish

Non-PRO (1): Trudy Peters

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Discussion

oa_xxx (X) Jan 25, 2014:
Most English speakers say America when they mean USA as well. If I was flying to NY tomorrow, I would say I'm going to America, wouldnt even think twice about it. If I was flying to Sao Paulo, I'd say I'm going to Brazil or South America. I dont think any of that matters, I would still not write USA/Canada/North America here, certainly not without asking the author first. America is fine, and maybe add a note suggesting that it would be better (in both EN and DE) to add North or USA if that is what is meant.
Jo Bennett (asker) Jan 25, 2014:
Thanks ... ... for all the helpful discussion and answers. I've been working on another job for a couple of days, but will get back to this next week! Schönes Wochenende!
Horst Huber (X) Jan 25, 2014:
Quite, with Yorkshireman, when Germans say "Amerika" they mean the U.S. This may be just an attempt to be slightly less distinct. I'd dodge the issue, and use a phrase like "American background" or "origin".
Kirsten Bodart Jan 24, 2014:
I would have to agree with YM but you can't be sure there is not at least one German who doesn't mean what the rest means. I would either ask the client what they mean exactly (or deduce that from the context), or maybe even go with something like 'across the Atlantic' if that fits into your text in terms of style.
Yorkshireman Jan 24, 2014:
An initiative for what? Can this be revealed - it might help to nail down which America(s) it's about.

Or just say America or "the other side of the Atlantic" and forget the "Raum"
BrigitteHilgner Jan 24, 2014:
If there is no further context ... to clarify the issue I would say the author's expression is sloppy and he/she has to live with a broad interpretation as Alexandra suggested.
Yorkshireman Jan 24, 2014:
A new initiative originating in America Might work quite well. I suspect that what the author is talking about is the North American (US/CAN) sphere of influence (Raum) in a particular segment.
Alexandra Reuer Jan 24, 2014:
Absolutely ...but I still don't see why, as a translator, you would have to start "interpreting" and making a choice. You could just put "America" and then leave everyone to make up their own minds...
Yorkshireman Jan 24, 2014:
What Germans mean when they say Amerika Generally they mean the USA (sometimes including Canada) - just like the use of England to describe the United Kingdom, or they say Grossbritannien without thinking that Northern Ireland is then left out.

If I say I'm from the North of England, I frequently get the response "Ach ja, Schottland".
Alexandra Reuer Jan 24, 2014:
@Yorkshireman That's a valid point, but we don't know that for sure, do we? ;-) Jo, any more context around this?
Yorkshireman Jan 24, 2014:
America If the influence is political, cultural or financial, it almost certainly excludes the South American nations.

They would generally come under the heading Latin America (Central and South America)
Alexandra Reuer Jan 24, 2014:
I would be careful with an assumption like this. If in doubt, "American" means North- and South American
Jo Bennett (asker) Jan 24, 2014:
South America... ... is not normally included then?
Alexandra Reuer Jan 24, 2014:
American Continent Unless there's further context provided in the text, I would err on the side of caution and interpret the term as widely as possible.

Proposed translations

+2
15 mins
Selected

American continent

For what it's worth, I'd stick with this and keep it vague if you really don't know which country or area they are referring to. No harm done in just saying "American", which automatically includes North and South.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 days (2014-01-29 10:22:02 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Thank you Jo!
Peer comment(s):
agree BrigitteHilgner : Wenn der Text keine Präzisierung bietet, ist dies die sinnvollste Lösung.
1 hr
Danke!
neutral Yorkshireman : Makes it even vaguer -if the USA is in it, you can already forget Venezuela and Cuba. Just America would work for me.
1 hr
I agree and would also prefer just "America", come to think of it
agree oa_xxx (X) : The German is vague so I see nothing wrong with keeping it vague in English.Most people will think of North America anyway unless south is specified. America on its own would be fine too.
4 hrs
That's how I see it, too. Thanks orla!
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks - in the end I went for just America. Since this wasn't posted as an answer, I've given Alexandra the points, since her answer triggered this answer."
9 mins

USA and Canada/North America

It would say it refers to North America (USA+Canada)

Or, if Raum = Einflussgebiet/Kulturkreis, could include the Philippines, Taiwan and other states closely affiliated with the USA.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2014-01-24 12:40:56 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

American sphere - could be a solution, as could "the other side of the Atlantic"
Something went wrong...
4 hrs

the Americas

Another sufficiently vague suggestion. Or "the New World".
Something went wrong...
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