Jun 5, 2007 07:38
17 yrs ago
25 viewers *
English term
Experienced translator/interpreter
Native in: English
Works in: Russian to English, English to Russian, English, and 1 more.
Distmantle vs Disassemble
English
Tech/Engineering
Construction / Civil Engineering
General
Different opinions.
1. Dismantle/Disassemble - synonyms
2. Dismantle/Dissassemble - close, but not synonyms
3. One individual disagrees with the nuance between the below points one and two - if he was told to dismantle/disassemble a project, he'd take care to keep functional integrity of equipment intact, vice as during a decomissioning.
Please expand on examples 1- 2. I'm not trying to split language hairs here, sometimes these differences are important as we try to pick the right words in Russian. Thank you.
1. Dismantle - to take apart, to remove..however, you don't care if you destroy the functional integrity of the device or equipment. "They are going to dismantle the radios from those cars." They are going to tear them out of the cars and not be gentle about it. The radios won't be used again.
2. Disassemble - The car radios are going to be disassembled. Taken out and taken apart...perhaps with the goal of replacing a part, fixing a part or whatever...the bottom line is that they will be re-assembled and put back into the cars, or will be used in some other fashion.
Agree/Disagree? Better explanations???
1. Dismantle/Disassemble - synonyms
2. Dismantle/Dissassemble - close, but not synonyms
3. One individual disagrees with the nuance between the below points one and two - if he was told to dismantle/disassemble a project, he'd take care to keep functional integrity of equipment intact, vice as during a decomissioning.
Please expand on examples 1- 2. I'm not trying to split language hairs here, sometimes these differences are important as we try to pick the right words in Russian. Thank you.
1. Dismantle - to take apart, to remove..however, you don't care if you destroy the functional integrity of the device or equipment. "They are going to dismantle the radios from those cars." They are going to tear them out of the cars and not be gentle about it. The radios won't be used again.
2. Disassemble - The car radios are going to be disassembled. Taken out and taken apart...perhaps with the goal of replacing a part, fixing a part or whatever...the bottom line is that they will be re-assembled and put back into the cars, or will be used in some other fashion.
Agree/Disagree? Better explanations???
Responses
+7
23 mins
English term (edited):
dismantle vs disassemble
Selected
Not exact synonyms, but in practice, often used that way
I agree with the etymological point that David is seeking to make, but we must acknowledge that in everyday usage, 'dismantle' is very often used with the meaning 'to take apart carefully for later re-assembly' — and I suspect part of this maybe the native ear's instinctive dislike of the assonance in 'disassemble' (and all too close to 'dissemble'!)
You will very often see: "Easily dismantled for cleaning"
OK, semantically, such usage is technically wrong — but it is far to widespread to be simply dismissed as 'wrong'
So I think Kurt's translation dilemma needs to be addressed on a case-by-case basis, to see if it means 'take apart' or 'take down'
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Note added at 26 mins (2007-06-05 08:05:13 GMT)
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...far TOO widespread..., of course — apologies!
As a matter of mere curiosity, I just did a quick Google on "dismantled for cleaning" vs 'disassembled for cleaning" — the former scored some 10,500, while the latter got over 43,000. So the former version seems to be pretty widespread, as I said, and of course, that was only one of many possible variants.
You will very often see: "Easily dismantled for cleaning"
OK, semantically, such usage is technically wrong — but it is far to widespread to be simply dismissed as 'wrong'
So I think Kurt's translation dilemma needs to be addressed on a case-by-case basis, to see if it means 'take apart' or 'take down'
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Note added at 26 mins (2007-06-05 08:05:13 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
...far TOO widespread..., of course — apologies!
As a matter of mere curiosity, I just did a quick Google on "dismantled for cleaning" vs 'disassembled for cleaning" — the former scored some 10,500, while the latter got over 43,000. So the former version seems to be pretty widespread, as I said, and of course, that was only one of many possible variants.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "I wish there was a way to split these points. Based on the concepts of first in and peer agreement for a very good answer, I should award these points to David. However, I am awarding the points based on the answer that I found most helpful for my needs. Thank you to all for your input, especially Tony. Your answer research allows me to provide a resonable explanation to non-native speakers on the correct/incorrect usage of the two terms. "
+1
7 mins
to take apart
Dismantle - to take apart. To demolish or raze. To strip of covering.
Disassemble - to take apart (a piece of machinery etc). Dismantle.
I'd agree that disassemble implies taking more care not to damage components as they are taken apart or removed.
They both mean to take something apart, but dismantle, to me, implies that what is being taken apart will not be rebuilt, whereas disassemble implies that it will be reassembled and will be used again for its original function
Disassemble - to take apart (a piece of machinery etc). Dismantle.
I'd agree that disassemble implies taking more care not to damage components as they are taken apart or removed.
They both mean to take something apart, but dismantle, to me, implies that what is being taken apart will not be rebuilt, whereas disassemble implies that it will be reassembled and will be used again for its original function
+9
4 mins
David Russi
United States
United States
Native in English
&
English
Works in field
United States
30+ years, stopped counting...
Native in: English 
, Spanish
Works in: English to Spanish, Spanish to English
Related KudoZ points
:
8
They are not synonyms (I'm not even sure they are that close)
Of course, when you dismantle something, you can break it, deform it, etc. When you diasassemble it, you need to take care that you can assemble it again.
Main Entry:dis£assemble
Pronunciation:|dis+
Function:verb
Etymology:1dis- + assemble
transitive verb : to take apart : separate into constituent parts *disassemble a watch*
intransitive verb : to come apart *automobile sections disassemble*
Main Entry:dis£mantle
Pronunciation:d*s, (*)dis+
Function:transitive verb
Etymology:Middle French desmanteler, literally, to deprive of a cloak, from des- 1dis- + mantel cloak * more at MANTLE
1 : to strip or deprive of dress or covering : DIVEST, UNCLOAK
2 : to strip of furniture and equipment or significant contents *dismantle a house that is to be razed* *dismantle a ship before scrapping it*; specifically : to strip of guns, walls, and defenses *dismantle a fort* *dismantle a town*
3 : to wear down : do away with : RAZE, DESTROY; also : ANNUL, RESCIND *dismantle price controls after the war*
4 : to take to pieces : DISMOUNT
synonyms see STRIP
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Note added at 9 mins (2007-06-05 07:48:02 GMT)
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References provided are from Webster's Unabridged.
Main Entry:dis£assemble
Pronunciation:|dis+
Function:verb
Etymology:1dis- + assemble
transitive verb : to take apart : separate into constituent parts *disassemble a watch*
intransitive verb : to come apart *automobile sections disassemble*
Main Entry:dis£mantle
Pronunciation:d*s, (*)dis+
Function:transitive verb
Etymology:Middle French desmanteler, literally, to deprive of a cloak, from des- 1dis- + mantel cloak * more at MANTLE
1 : to strip or deprive of dress or covering : DIVEST, UNCLOAK
2 : to strip of furniture and equipment or significant contents *dismantle a house that is to be razed* *dismantle a ship before scrapping it*; specifically : to strip of guns, walls, and defenses *dismantle a fort* *dismantle a town*
3 : to wear down : do away with : RAZE, DESTROY; also : ANNUL, RESCIND *dismantle price controls after the war*
4 : to take to pieces : DISMOUNT
synonyms see STRIP
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Note added at 9 mins (2007-06-05 07:48:02 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
References provided are from Webster's Unabridged.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
lindaellen (X)
1 min
|
| agree |
Ken Cox
: certainly my understanding -- with dismantling, there is no intention of reassembling (or being able to reassemble) the object later on
5 mins
|
| agree |
Mihailolja
11 mins
|
| agree |
vixen
43 mins
|
| agree |
Vicky Papaprodromou
48 mins
|
| agree |
Mara Ballarini
: exactly. although I agree with Tony too, re. the common usage of the two terms
49 mins
|
| agree |
Elena Aleksandrova
1 hr
|
| agree |
ErichEko ⟹⭐
1 hr
|
| agree |
BusterK
: dismantling sometimes conveys a commitment, such as site restoration after operating an industrial site. The intention is IMO key although I agree with Tony that some may use them as synonyms. It does mean though that it is correct...
9 hrs
|
9 hrs
asptech
Specializes in field
dismantle = take down (demolish), disassemble = take apart
is what my dictionary says
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