This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
jiné nastavení situace
odnáboženštění
Dec 16, 2009 18:14
14 yrs ago
Czech term

ideologický kolovrátek

Czech to English Social Sciences Religion sociology of religion under Communism
Dear colleagues,

my next question regards an expression that I have encountered during my translation of the very same article as before (my last three posts). The author enjoys metaphorical expressions and I would like to retain the metaphorical dimension in my translation. The metaphor of "ideologický kolovrátek" has however, caused a considerable "head-scratching" on my part and I thus decided to turn to my colleagues to see what is their opinion on the matter. Please find below, two instances, in which this expression appears. There is another expression that the author uses in the given context, i.e. that of "krunýř" which I have decided to translate as a "straightjacket".

"Emancipace je vlastně hlavní téma citované Svitákovy úvahy, nevybíravě kritizující praxi počátku 50. let, kdy byly vědy o společnosti (alespoň podle tohoto autora) sevřeny „krunýřem“ a hrály pouze roli „ideologického kolovrátku“.
Later on within the text, the author questions:
"Kdo vytvořil z revolučních idejí Marxe a Lenina „krunýř“ a „ideologický kolovrátek“?"

Thank you!!!
With my best wishes,

Myska
Proposed translations (English)
3 ideological hurdy-gurdy / organ-grinder
4 +1 ideological spinning wheel
4 ideological rollercoaster
4 an ideological merry-go-round

Discussion

Maria Chmelarova Dec 16, 2009:
dokolečka dokola stejná odrhovačka-worn-out-song, jako na kolovrátku
on and on ...
"nič nové pod slnkom"
Jim Tucker (X) Dec 16, 2009:
@ Jana Maybe "treadmill."
Gerry Vickers Dec 16, 2009:
that is the impression that I get anyway - or maybe you could say 'carousel' or other thing that keeps going round and round :)
Jana Bedanova Dec 16, 2009:
kolovrátek in Czech, the metaphor of a "kolovrátek" means that something keeps repeating itself endlessly, sort of mindlessly: Also we have this saying "huba mu jela jak kolovrátek" - which would translate "he talked a blue streak". But in this sense I would also try to convey the mindlessness of the "kolovrátek".

I'm not sure if "spinning wheel" works the same way in English (?)
Jim Tucker (X) Dec 16, 2009:
(it should be) (straitjacket)

Proposed translations

14 hrs
Selected

ideological hurdy-gurdy / organ-grinder

Well, the metaphors in your text are quite colourful.

My above two suggestions both express the idea of the same thing repeated again and again.

A hurdy-gurdy (whether you take it in its original sense of a medieval instrument, or in the sense of a barrel-organ) just drones on... If you want to "personalise" it, you could say "ideological organ-grinder", i.e. the one who cranks the handle.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 14 hrs (2009-12-17 09:11:10 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I'm taking "kolovrátek" in the sense of "barrel organ". I think the idea of mindless repetition is there. Earlier, I was thinking of "refrain" (same old monotonous refrain). This is in line with Maria's idea, "worn-out song".
Note from asker:
Thank you, Dylan, you are right, there are plenty of very colourful metaphors in both of my texts which makes their translation very enjoyable yet challenging at the same time. I believe, as you do, that the expression of "ideologický kolovrátek" is to suggest that social sciences in their straightjacket only produced mindless repetition ... very much like what an organ-grinder produces when he turns the handle of his instrument. I just wasn't sure whether an English reader would understand the expression if translated as "hurdy-gurdy" or "organ-grinder" thus I am very grateful to have your opinion. I also very much like your idea of "refrain". This is perfect. It is commonly used in academic articles, I believe, in the very sense that the author have intended (just see results from Google search for 'ideological refrain'). I'll think about it. Thank you!!!
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you, Dylan. You have given a much needed confirmation of a native English speaker :o) Thank you"
+1
15 mins

ideological spinning wheel

Why not? Let the reader decide what it might mean...
Note from asker:
Thank you, Gerry!
Peer comment(s):
agree Maria Chmelarova : it is fine, or " ideological circus "
29 mins
thanks - I'm not sure that 'circus' brings across the idea, though - like a 'media circus', i.e. attracting a lot of attention but not achieving anything useful - although maybe this is what it means :)
Something went wrong...
31 mins

ideological rollercoaster

Slightly stronger term, but you could also perhaps use "ideological rollercoaster" as in the enclosed article, please see link below.
Reference:

http://www.lib.umd.edu/drum/bitstream/1903/2658/1/umi-umd-2572.pdf

Note from asker:
Thank you, I value your opinion but I think that "ideological rollercoaster" gives a bit of a different idea than what the original intended, which is a mindless repetition of something.
Something went wrong...
2 hrs

an ideological merry-go-round

slightly sarcastic but maybe you'll like it
Note from asker:
Thank you, Hannah!
Something went wrong...
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search