Glossary entry (derived from question below)
German term or phrase:
Festlegung
English translation:
specification
Added to glossary by
Shane London
May 27, 2010 09:43
14 yrs ago
2 viewers *
German term
Australia
Sydney-based accredited translator
Native in: English 
Works in: Russian to English, German to English
Festlegung
German to English
Tech/Engineering
Automotive / Cars & Trucks
The word 'Festlegung' is used three times throughout a work reference for somebody who worked for an auto firm on automatic transmissions. I would like to be sure I have understood the text correctly and have the correct term in English.
"Herr Schmidt war mit der versuchsseitigen Festlegung der Anbauteile an das Getriebe im Fahrzeug beschäftigt."
"Herr Schmidt entwickelte eine neue Ölbefüllsystematik für die Serienbefüllung und die Kundendienstbefüllung und wirkte bei der Festlegung bzw. beim Packaging von Getriebe und -anbauteilen mit."
"Er nahm an Festlegungs- und Aufbaubesprechungen teil, vertrat in diesem Zusammehang die Versuchsbelange und gab die Bereitstellungstermine bekannt."
Is 'Festlegung' being used to mean the same thing in each case? I take it to mean the 'securing of fastening of the auxilary components to the transmissions. Most of my google searches show 'Festlegung' to mean things like 'definition' or 'determination'. Also the Proz glossary entries don't seem to cover the meaning used here.
"Herr Schmidt war mit der versuchsseitigen Festlegung der Anbauteile an das Getriebe im Fahrzeug beschäftigt."
"Herr Schmidt entwickelte eine neue Ölbefüllsystematik für die Serienbefüllung und die Kundendienstbefüllung und wirkte bei der Festlegung bzw. beim Packaging von Getriebe und -anbauteilen mit."
"Er nahm an Festlegungs- und Aufbaubesprechungen teil, vertrat in diesem Zusammehang die Versuchsbelange und gab die Bereitstellungstermine bekannt."
Is 'Festlegung' being used to mean the same thing in each case? I take it to mean the 'securing of fastening of the auxilary components to the transmissions. Most of my google searches show 'Festlegung' to mean things like 'definition' or 'determination'. Also the Proz glossary entries don't seem to cover the meaning used here.
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 +2 | specification |
Birgitt Olsen
|
| 5 +1 | definition |
ianwrhodes
|
| 4 | mounting |
Birgitt Olsen
|
Proposed translations
+2
18 mins
Birgitt Olsen
Native in English
Professional translator, editor, writer
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, Afrikaans to English
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Selected
specification
Amongst all the variations in meaning for 'Festlegung' I find that 'specification' is the one that applies most consistently here. I would imagine that the author of this text would not use widely differing meanings of this word in one document.
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Note added at 24 mins (2010-05-27 10:07:53 GMT)
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Hmm... having made my bold translation decision, I am now thinking that 'fixing' (as in affixing) would work just as well. I am definitely not feeling so sure anymore ...
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Note added at 3 hrs (2010-05-27 12:49:58 GMT)
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Hi Shane. Yes, I think you are right -- I think it means to affix (or even better: to mount) something onto another thing. (See my note above.) For example, in the first instance you gave, it would mean mounting a unit or add-on component onto the transmission. So, I must humbly say that I think mounting is the correct term and NOT specification (although for a moment it was making sense! :-). I'm sorry about the confusion.
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Note added at 16 hrs (2010-05-28 02:05:39 GMT)
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I honestly think that both words could be applied in this case -- perhaps in the way that hazmatgerman has explained. But in contrast to hazmatgerman, I still think that mounting can be used in the second and third paragraphs as well. It's a tricky one -- is there anything in the wider context that might hint at the right answer?
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Note added at 22 hrs (2010-05-28 08:09:51 GMT)
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I've done as you suggested, but I'm still hoping that further clarification might emerge...
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Note added at 5 days (2010-06-02 02:54:41 GMT)
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Hi Shane. Yes, when I was first thinking about the translation, 'definition' came up. But my bit of experience in the engineering side of food technology suggested to me that the terms 'specifying' or 'specification' were more natural in the context. If you would prefer to go with 'definition', you might be able to do it by using 'defining'. Or even one of the synonyms such as 'designate' (designating) or even 'stipulate' (stipulating). Nonetheless, in my Collins thesaurus, 'specify' is given as a synonym for 'define', and I would still be inclined to use it! :-)
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Note added at 24 mins (2010-05-27 10:07:53 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Hmm... having made my bold translation decision, I am now thinking that 'fixing' (as in affixing) would work just as well. I am definitely not feeling so sure anymore ...
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs (2010-05-27 12:49:58 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Hi Shane. Yes, I think you are right -- I think it means to affix (or even better: to mount) something onto another thing. (See my note above.) For example, in the first instance you gave, it would mean mounting a unit or add-on component onto the transmission. So, I must humbly say that I think mounting is the correct term and NOT specification (although for a moment it was making sense! :-). I'm sorry about the confusion.
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Note added at 16 hrs (2010-05-28 02:05:39 GMT)
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I honestly think that both words could be applied in this case -- perhaps in the way that hazmatgerman has explained. But in contrast to hazmatgerman, I still think that mounting can be used in the second and third paragraphs as well. It's a tricky one -- is there anything in the wider context that might hint at the right answer?
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 22 hrs (2010-05-28 08:09:51 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
I've done as you suggested, but I'm still hoping that further clarification might emerge...
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 days (2010-06-02 02:54:41 GMT)
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Hi Shane. Yes, when I was first thinking about the translation, 'definition' came up. But my bit of experience in the engineering side of food technology suggested to me that the terms 'specifying' or 'specification' were more natural in the context. If you would prefer to go with 'definition', you might be able to do it by using 'defining'. Or even one of the synonyms such as 'designate' (designating) or even 'stipulate' (stipulating). Nonetheless, in my Collins thesaurus, 'specify' is given as a synonym for 'define', and I would still be inclined to use it! :-)
Note from asker:
| Hello, Birgit. I was wondering about that sort of interpretation but doesn't 'Festlegung ....... an das Getriebe' mean something is physically put onto the transmission or am I misunderstanding the grammar here? |
| From the comments that have been made, then, it seems a strange word to use in this context. |
| Yes. I think mounting is the right word now; much better than 'fixing' or 'securing'. I don't think there is anything else in the text that will help. Perhaps you can lodge a second answer with 'mounting' for consideration. |
| Hello, Birgitt. As indicated below, the client indicates 'defintion' best suits the context but if that is the case then 'specification' is probably the best word. Isn't he defining or specifying parts for the vehicle transmissions? |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Reinhold Wehrmann
: Spot on! If I had not been on the phone, that would have been my answer too!
7 mins
|
|
Well, let's hope I wasn't too far off the mark! :-)
|
|
| agree |
Richard Stephen
: Specification! - I've never heard of "Festlegung" meaning "to attach" or "affix", nor would that fit in the given context
3 hrs
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thankyou very much for all the comments. I accept 'definition' as being correct as per the client's advice but I prefer the word 'specification' in the context. "
22 hrs
Birgitt Olsen
Native in English
Professional translator, editor, writer
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, Afrikaans to English
Related KudoZ points
:
4
mounting
As already indicated in the discussion section of the answer above, there seems to be some uncertainty about whether 'Festlegung' might mean different things in the source text. Any other thoughts on this from other translators?
+1
1 day 4 hrs
ianwrhodes
Germany
Germany
Native in German
&
English
Specializes in field
Germany
Related KudoZ points
:
16
definition
Hi Shane, it means "definition" as specified by Mercedes
Example sentence:
definition
Note from asker:
| Thanks for that suggestion. I have sought some input from the client on this. |
| The client has advised that 'definition' best suits the context but I have a problem fitting 'an das Getriebe' in with 'definition'. How should 'Festlegung der Anbauteile an das Getriebe' be translated? 'Definition of the add-on components for the transmission' ? |
Discussion