Nov 28, 2009 08:40
14 yrs ago
7 viewers *
German term
Gebot der Menschlichkeit
German to English
Other
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
health and safety
From a HSE Sicherheitshandbuch issued by firm carrying out pipework installations at refineries: Sicherheitsphilosophie: Unsere Sicherheitsphilosophie sollte sich an folgenden Leitgedanken orientieren: Vorsoge [sic] gegen Arbeitsunfälle und vorbeugender Gesundheitsschutz sind ein Gebot der Menschlichkeit.
Proposed translations
(English)
| 3 +1 | ..are human rights |
British Diana
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| 2 +5 | human imperative |
Annett Kottek (X)
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| 3 +2 | rule of humanity |
Thayenga
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| 4 +1 | rewrite |
Helen Shiner
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| 3 | rule of human behaviour |
franglish
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| 3 | humanitarian requirement |
BrigitteHilgner
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References
| imperative of humanism |
Derek Gill Franßen
|
Change log
Mar 14, 2011 21:43: Steffen Walter changed "Field (specific)" from "General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters" to "Idioms / Maxims / Sayings"
Proposed translations
+1
1 hr
British Diana
Germany
Germany
Native in English
Works in field
Germany
enthusiast
Native in: English (Variant: British) 
Works in: German to English, English to German, English, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
19
Selected
..are human rights
I am well aware that this is not a direct translation, especially not of "Gebot". However, in the context it could be justified as being what the author of a similar handbook in UK might come up with.
The underlying idea is that it goes without saying that the company will see to these things because they are elementary human rights to which every employee is entitled.
Looking forward to peers' feedback !
The underlying idea is that it goes without saying that the company will see to these things because they are elementary human rights to which every employee is entitled.
Looking forward to peers' feedback !
3 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Many thanks"
2 hrs
rule of human behaviour
... are (basic) rules of human behaviour
4 hrs
BrigitteHilgner
Austria
Austria
Native in German
Austria
b2b/economics/marketing/market research/
Native in: German 
Works in: German to English, French to German, English to German
Related KudoZ points
:
40
humanitarian requirement
Another option - I think the choice depends on the general style of the document.
+2
5 hrs
rule of humanity
Another option.
In this context even law of humanity could be used, evem though these laws are unwritten.
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Note added at 5 hrs (2009-11-28 13:46:44 GMT)
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Although humanity, of course, is commonly perceived as dieMenschheit, it can still be used in this contaxt.
P. S. and it's even, not evem...
In this context even law of humanity could be used, evem though these laws are unwritten.
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Note added at 5 hrs (2009-11-28 13:46:44 GMT)
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Although humanity, of course, is commonly perceived as dieMenschheit, it can still be used in this contaxt.
P. S. and it's even, not evem...
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Bernhard Sulzer
: I believe "humanity" works best in this context. how about a humane law? Maybe turn it around...is what humanity demands.
2 hrs
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That is also a very good option. Thank you, Bernhard.
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| agree |
Barbara Wiebking
: Ja, oder man packt die "humanity" zusammen mit dem Leitgedanken und stellt den ganzen Satz ein bisschen um? Auf deutsch dann etwa: Unsere Sicherheitsphilosophie orientiert sich am Leitgedanken der Menschlichkeit und sieht folgendes vor...
7 hrs
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Hört sich wirklich gut an. Danke, Kriddl.
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+5
1 hr
human imperative
To get the ball rolling.. There are online example of this phrase, but I'd like to hear what the native speakers think of it in this context.
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Note added at 7 Stunden (2009-11-28 15:56:40 GMT)
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Or perhaps 'moral imperative. The phrasing of the source text is very strong ('Gebot' has biblical connotations) and I think that 'rules', or 'rights', or 'requirements' don't really convey the strength of their conviction. This company really does take health and safety seriously. Here's some other contexts that make use of this term:
‘The Moral Imperative: Health Care as an American Right’
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/miles-j-zaremski/the-moral-imp...
‘IS INSURING THE UNINSURED A MORAL IMPERATIVE?’
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2009/11/025035.php
‘But I want to make something clear, there is a moral imperative for every building to be a green building.’
http://aribra.com/building-green-the-moral-imperative
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Note added at 7 Stunden (2009-11-28 15:56:40 GMT)
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Or perhaps 'moral imperative. The phrasing of the source text is very strong ('Gebot' has biblical connotations) and I think that 'rules', or 'rights', or 'requirements' don't really convey the strength of their conviction. This company really does take health and safety seriously. Here's some other contexts that make use of this term:
‘The Moral Imperative: Health Care as an American Right’
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/miles-j-zaremski/the-moral-imp...
‘IS INSURING THE UNINSURED A MORAL IMPERATIVE?’
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2009/11/025035.php
‘But I want to make something clear, there is a moral imperative for every building to be a green building.’
http://aribra.com/building-green-the-moral-imperative
Example sentence:
Accident prevention and preventative health care are a human imperative.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Derek Gill Franßen
: I like it a lot, but would term it "imperative of humanism" or "humanistic imperative" (see below). :) // I don't think it is any more overstated than the original (which, after all, mentions "GEBOT der Menschlichkeit" with "SicherheitsPHILOSOPHIE"). ;)
4 hrs
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Thank you very much, Derek. What would you say to 'moral imperative’? I think that might be clearer still.
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| agree |
Jutta Scherer
6 hrs
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Danke, Jutta.
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| neutral |
Helen Shiner
: I agree with the meaning, but feel the tone may be rather overstated for a health and safety text./Nonetheless, imperative in EN really does belong in the field of philosophy and related areas and would be little understood by the general populus.
6 hrs
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I agree, Helen. But the same is true for the German text. ‘Gebot der Menschlichkeit’ seems a bit OTT; but I’m guessing they want to escape the usual clichés about taking responsibilities seriously.
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| agree |
franglish
7 hrs
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| agree |
Rolf Keiser
7 hrs
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| agree |
Melanie Nassar
: moral imperative is nice too
9 hrs
|
+1
7 hrs
Helen Shiner
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
United Kingdom
Arts/Academic translator - Art historian
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, French to English
Related KudoZ points
:
74
rewrite
Since this is a health and safety text, I think I would rewrite the sentence slightly and say something like:
... are essential to a humane way of doing things ...
or
... should be essential to a humane business
or
something along these lines
The meaning is they are non-negotiable aspects of existence and, therefore, life for this business.
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Note added at 7 hrs (2009-11-28 16:32:13 GMT)
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I feel that phrasing it as if there has been a commandment to that effect would sound strange unless we are dealing with a specifically religious organisation here.
... are essential to a humane way of doing things ...
or
... should be essential to a humane business
or
something along these lines
The meaning is they are non-negotiable aspects of existence and, therefore, life for this business.
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Note added at 7 hrs (2009-11-28 16:32:13 GMT)
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I feel that phrasing it as if there has been a commandment to that effect would sound strange unless we are dealing with a specifically religious organisation here.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Bernhard Sulzer
: is what humanity demands?
10 mins
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Yes, is what being humane demands.
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Reference comments
5 hrs
Derek Gill Franßen
Germany
Germany
Native in English
Germany
German Attorney & University Lecturer
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, English, English to German, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
24
Reference:
imperative of humanism
I once had to write a paper titled "Die Wandlung des Begriffs "Humanität" in die "reine Menschlichkeit." Perhaps the author also read the works of Goethe, Schiller, and Lessing. ;)
I would translate it similar to the way Annett has suggested, i.e., "...are humanistic imperatives" here (see http://www.google.de/#hl=de&q="humanistic imperative"&meta=&... ).
"Humanismus bezeichnet die Gesamtheit der Ideen von Menschlichkeit und des Strebens danach, das menschliche Dasein zu verbessern." (See http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanismus .)
:)
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Note added at 5 hrs (2009-11-28 14:39:40 GMT)
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Also see http://www.google.de/#hl=de&q="imperative of humanism"&meta=...
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Note added at 6 hrs (2009-11-28 14:44:43 GMT)
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Kant is my hero! =D
I would translate it similar to the way Annett has suggested, i.e., "...are humanistic imperatives" here (see http://www.google.de/#hl=de&q="humanistic imperative"&meta=&... ).
"Humanismus bezeichnet die Gesamtheit der Ideen von Menschlichkeit und des Strebens danach, das menschliche Dasein zu verbessern." (See http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanismus .)
:)
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Note added at 5 hrs (2009-11-28 14:39:40 GMT)
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Also see http://www.google.de/#hl=de&q="imperative of humanism"&meta=...
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Note added at 6 hrs (2009-11-28 14:44:43 GMT)
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Kant is my hero! =D
Peer comments on this reference comment:
| neutral |
British Diana
: I really have great respect for your erudition - but for a firm laying pipes at refineries?? // I see your point, but beg to differ !
11 mins
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Especially there! "A categorical imperative would be one which represented an action as objectively necessary in itself, without reference to any other purpose." -Kant ;) // That's cool—cheers, Diana! :)
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