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When you receive an English translation of your German manuscript, it may differ slightly in tone and style from your original. In this blog article we explain how and why.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Hedging<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Academic writing in any language makes use of \u201chedging\u201d, i.e. framing assertions in tentative language in proportion to the evidence or in order to \u201csoften\u201d arguments or, in other words, to present them less forcefully. In German there is a higher frequency of direct and explicit language when making assertions (e.g. \u201cDas vorliegende Forschungsprojekt zeigt, dass \u2026\u201d), creating a sense of the writer\u2019s authority. In English, however, there is a tendency to \u201cdowntone\u201d or soften assertions in order to mitigate criticism or create a tone of modesty (Writing Development Centre). Here are some examples:<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Personal pronouns<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Traditionally, academics writing in English have avoided using personal pronouns in order to maintain a formal, objective tone. However, the use of personal pronouns is increasing \u2013 especially in the social sciences and humanities (Bryson). In German, however, use of personal pronouns is not as common. In fact, English translators cannot but be in awe of the range and ingenuity German employs in removing human agency! Here are just a few examples from the German palette:<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Furthermore, German frequently uses the impersonal generic pronoun \u201cman\u201d, whereas the English \u201cone\u201d is almost always avoided (except by the queen!): \u201cMan soll die verschiedenen M\u00f6glichkeiten in Betracht ziehen\u201d (\u201cWe should consider the possibilities\u201d).<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Active\/passive voice<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The use of the passive voice also contributes to this more impersonal, neutral tone of German academic writing, e.g.:<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Various possible passive-voice translations into English are possible in each case here, however, in English it would also be very natural to use the active voice (with or without a personal pronoun), e.g.:<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Nominal style<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n German often uses nouns where English would tend to use verbs, e.g.:<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n So, although the idea that the British are polite and reserved is certainly a stereotype, the English translation you receive may be more cautious and tentative in tone than your German original \u2013 the English like to \u201chedge their bets\u201d. \u00a0Furthermore, if your original text has a consistently impersonal tone, you may well find that the English translator has varied this by introducing some personal pronouns and a more active voice, as this mix is more natural in English. This is especially the case if your text is intended to be a conference paper. Finally, don\u2019t be surprised to find your nouns have morphed into something else!<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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