Jun 1, 2015 15:40
9 yrs ago
German term
Wissensgläubigkeit
German to English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
Pop song lyrics
Playtime! I'm translating the lyrics for a rather eccentric songwriter. This song deals with 'modern' times and rebellion against a cold and 'metallene Zeit'.
Wohin ist sie, die Zeit,
wohin die Wirklichkeit
manche sagen eisig kalt
metallene Zeit
wohin die Zeit, die Technik, die Wissensgläubigkeit
die Apparate, die Maschinen und die Glückseligkeit?
My current interpretation:
Where is time headed
where is reality?
Some say these are glacial, metallic times.
What to do with these times, technology, mind-religions, gadgets, machines and bliss?
I am TOTALLY free here, as long as I'm accurate....
Wohin ist sie, die Zeit,
wohin die Wirklichkeit
manche sagen eisig kalt
metallene Zeit
wohin die Zeit, die Technik, die Wissensgläubigkeit
die Apparate, die Maschinen und die Glückseligkeit?
My current interpretation:
Where is time headed
where is reality?
Some say these are glacial, metallic times.
What to do with these times, technology, mind-religions, gadgets, machines and bliss?
I am TOTALLY free here, as long as I'm accurate....
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
+2
9 mins
Selected
science worship
Just a suggestion
Note from asker:
| Thank you Ker, a good one! |
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "I know, I know, Armorel has the most peer agreements and was my first translation, as well. Deeply philosophical discussions with the poet, however, concluded with this being the most appropriate translation for this lyric. Thank you all for the overwhelming support and many excellent suggestions! Until we meet again, be well, be healthy!"
+7
11 mins
faith in knowledge
or: knowledge-led faith
Incidentally, I am inclined to see "Wohin ist sie?" as "Where has it gone?" rather than "Where is it going?" (which would be more like "Wohin geht sie?"). What do you think?
Incidentally, I am inclined to see "Wohin ist sie?" as "Where has it gone?" rather than "Where is it going?" (which would be more like "Wohin geht sie?"). What do you think?
Note from asker:
| Yes, Armorel, that was my first translation - Where has it gone? It is meant, however as in a combined 'wohin mit dem Zeug?' and 'wohin des Weges?' Like I said, he's eccentric. I am also considering faith in knowledge, as I may well need the syllables when it comes to adjusting the rhyme scheme - something I do in the end. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Michael Martin, MA
: Perhaps even "blind faith"; otherwise, this sounds more neutral than the German
55 mins
|
| agree |
Horst Huber (X)
: One might add "blind", to convey the undertone "naiveté"?
1 hr
|
| agree |
Jacek Konopka
1 hr
|
| agree |
Stephen Sadie
: nice
1 hr
|
| agree |
EK Yokohama
3 hrs
|
| agree |
BrigitteHilgner
14 hrs
|
| agree |
Nicola Wood
: And I also agree that the wohin means where has it gone, lamenting the loss of these things.
1 day 14 hrs
|
1 hr
belief in science
I'm only suggesting this as it also has 5 syllables.
Note from asker:
| Thnany you Kmaincor, I will definitely consider this aspect! |
| Thank you, is the decoded version |
+1
5 hrs
Michael Martin, MA
United States
United States
Native in German
&
English
Works in field
United States
Creativity wins in the long run
Native in: German (Variant: Germany) 
, English (Variant: US)
Works in: German to English
Related KudoZ points
:
43
infatuation with knowledge
Many variations on the theme are possible as long as the translation reflects that Wissensgläubigkeit is a negative term. Compare with links below:
"In Cradle, Vonnegut pokes holes in some of his favorite targets, including scientists (whose infatuation with knowledge and puzzles protects them from ever grasping the consequences of their actions) and the political leaders who attempt to exploit those scientists for their own ends."
http://www.avclub.com/article/kurt-vonnegut-53591
"Sünde Güte Blitz ist nicht nur ein wundersamer Ärzteroman und eine Dämonengeschichte, sondern auch ein Buch über unsere Wissensgläubigkeit, jene Religion, die uns in scheinbarer Allmacht Fruchtbarkeit, Gesundheit und erotische Attraktivität verspricht.”
http://der-napf.de/?p=96
"In Cradle, Vonnegut pokes holes in some of his favorite targets, including scientists (whose infatuation with knowledge and puzzles protects them from ever grasping the consequences of their actions) and the political leaders who attempt to exploit those scientists for their own ends."
http://www.avclub.com/article/kurt-vonnegut-53591
"Sünde Güte Blitz ist nicht nur ein wundersamer Ärzteroman und eine Dämonengeschichte, sondern auch ein Buch über unsere Wissensgläubigkeit, jene Religion, die uns in scheinbarer Allmacht Fruchtbarkeit, Gesundheit und erotische Attraktivität verspricht.”
http://der-napf.de/?p=96
Note from asker:
| Thank you Micheal, Vonnegut was my hero when I was a teen. |
10 hrs
David Hollywood
Native in English
worked for int. orgs (IMF, OAS, IDB)
Native in: English
Works in: Spanish to English, German to English
Related KudoZ points
:
50
(blind) belief in knowledge
is the way Isee and feel it
Note from asker:
| Thank you David! It never fails to fascinate me how differently each and every one of us approach language! |
20 hrs
Gudrun Wolfrath
Germany
Germany
Native in German
Works in field
Germany
34 years of experience in translation
Native in: German 
Works in: English to German, French to German
obsession with knowledge
idea
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Note added at 21 Stunden (2015-06-02 12:46:57 GMT)
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You're welcome, Ramey. Nice job description.
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Note added at 21 Stunden (2015-06-02 12:46:57 GMT)
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You're welcome, Ramey. Nice job description.
Note from asker:
| It's part of our job, isn't it? Both your idea and the obsession. Thank you! |
+1
21 hrs
the blind trust in science
where "..."., maybe as a form of religion, is leading us to? is heading to?
Whither art thou bent? Sort of "Quo vadis"
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Note added at 21 hrs (2015-06-02 13:38:21 GMT)
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Latin and/or Middle English sound always very impressive.. :-))
Greet you all.
Whither art thou bent? Sort of "Quo vadis"
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Note added at 21 hrs (2015-06-02 13:38:21 GMT)
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Latin and/or Middle English sound always very impressive.. :-))
Greet you all.
Note from asker:
| We could probably use a LOT less of this, couldn't we? Good suggestion, thank you Fbbest! |
Discussion
Yeah, the good old days... or something like this.
Yeah, the good old days... or something like this.
In my opinion, the author writes about the past, this is all over now - no more Wissensgläubigkeit, no more Glückseligkeit.
@Wendy, yes, that's also a possibility. I'm trying to get a clear image from the poet as to which 'wohin' -
1. Wohin des Weges?
2. Wohin damit?
3. Wo ist es hin gegangen? (auch im Sinne 'ich habe es verloren')
In the first case, it's a combination of 1. &2.
I'll wrestle with the rhyme scheme when I'm certain of the content.