Glossary entry

Spanish term or phrase:

debería profesar con mayor claridad una armonía entre

English translation:

ought to commit itself more clearly to striking a balance between

Added to glossary by Charles Davis
Sep 27, 2013 10:10
10 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Spanish term

debería profesar con mayor claridad una armonía entre

Spanish to English Social Sciences Transport / Transportation / Shipping
From a text about ALE, European Train Drivers' Trade Union, for a EU forum.

De ahí que la Comisión debería profesar con mayor claridad una armonía entre la apertura de mercados y unas condiciones de trabajo adecuadas, no pudiendo permitir que sea el mercado, sin más, el que se encargue.

Any suggestions much appreciated.
Thanks.
Change log

Sep 30, 2013 23:16: Charles Davis Created KOG entry

Proposed translations

+1
7 hrs
Selected

ought to commit itself more clearly to striking a balance between

I have been toying with posting something like this and have finally decided to do so. The real problem here, for me, is "profesar": what exactly does it mean here?

It seems to me that "profesar" cannot refer to what the Commission ought to be doing, though certain actions will follow from what it "professes". "Profesar" really means declaring one's commitment to certain values, especially, though not only, to a religious faith. I think the root meaning, in terms of the DRAE definitions, is probably "4. creer, confesar. Profesar un principio, una doctrina, una religión", though "3. ejercer algo con inclinación voluntaria y continuación en ello. Profesar amistad, el mahometismo" is also relevant, I think. In other words, it is embracing something openly and in a sustained manner.

Since I don't think "profess" really works in English here, I am led to the idea of commit oneself, in the sense of "nailing one's colours to the mast". "Con mayor claridad" seems to me to imply manifesting something publicly; to that extent I agree with Neil's "express", though I don't think that's quite the right word. I'd suggest "commit itself more clearly to", with "make a clearer commitment to" as a possible alternative.

For the rest, obviously "should" or "ought to" would do equally well; I've used "ought to" partly to avoid duplicating Neil's "should", but neither seems clearly preferable to me.

As for "armonía", I think Robert's "reconciling" is a very good idea, and I would have used it myself, but again I didn't want to duplicate another answer. "Striking a balance" seems to me a reasonable alternative.
Note from asker:
Thank you, Charles, this is a perfect translation :)
Peer comment(s):

agree Phoenix III
2 days 2 hrs
Thanks, Phoenix :)
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you! "
15 mins

should express the balance between X and Y more clearly

You could use tens of synonyms for "express", claim, state, specify, assert, affirm, declare, etc....

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Note added at 19 mins (2013-09-27 10:30:07 GMT)
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should express the balance/synergy between the opening of the (labour) market and working conditions more clearly, to avoid that the market is uniquely responsible (for this).
Note from asker:
Thanks Neil, this is definitely it :)
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+2
1 hr

needs to do a better job of reconciling

De ahí que la Comisión debería profesar con mayor claridad una armonía entre la apertura de mercados y unas condiciones de trabajo adecuadas, no pudiendo permitir que sea el mercado, sin más, el que se encargue.
=
And this is why the Commission needs to do a better job of reconciling a respect for open markets and the need for proper working conditions, and why it should not leave the market to function unfettered.

"Needs to do a better job of reconciling" seems to express the writer's intention here. When there are two or more competing needs, one generally speaks of "reconciling" them rather than "expressing the balance" between them.

Suerte.
Note from asker:
Thank you, Robert. Concept is clearly expressed but the wording may be a bit informal for the intended audience :)
Peer comment(s):

agree philgoddard : Good idea.
34 mins
Thank you, Phil.
agree Emiliano Pantoja
1 day 1 hr
Gracias, Emiliano.
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