This question was closed without grading. Reason: Answer found elsewhere
Mar 12, 2012 10:56
12 yrs ago
3 viewers *
German term

aufsetzen

German to English Art/Literary Poetry & Literature Children's book
This is from a children's book. It puns on "aufsetzen" meaning "to draw up a contract" , "to put on a hat" and "aufgesetzt" meaning "hypocritical".

I'm suffering from a distinct lack of inspiration for how to tackle the passage. Has anyone got any brilliant ideas for an alternative pun in English?

"Erst wollte ich meine Erlebnisse nicht aufschreiben. Aber dann hat Dr Klingschön einen Vorschlag gemacht. Wir sollten einen Vertrag **aufsetzen**, meinte er. Und in diesem Vertrag verpflichten wir uns zu absoluter Geheimhaltung. [...] Ich habe dann gleich einen Vertrag geschrieben.
"**Aufgesetzt**, heißt das, " erklärte meine Mutter. "Mann setzt einen Vertrag auf!"
Hä? Ja, **was setzt man dem denn auf**? hab ich gedacht. Einen Hut oder wie? Und ein **aufgesetztes Verhalten** ist ja, wenn man nur so tut als ob und es gar nicht meint. Mein Vertrag sollte aber so gemeint sein, wie er geschrieben war."

Many thanks in advance!
Rachel
Proposed translations (English)
3 +1 put/draw

Discussion

Rachel Ward (asker) Mar 13, 2012:
Closed the question Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to work around the drafting/draughty idea suggested elsewhere.
Ramey Rieger (X) Mar 12, 2012:
Draw or "how do you draw it up?" Like a chair? Do you sit on it? And -"drawing attention to it" is just what I don't want - My contract should say everything I really want to say.
Stephen Reader Mar 12, 2012:
fix (vb, noun) something with fix, fixing? (tho' you don't fix hats; unless they're damaged... / as elsewhere, another metaphor/pun object might have to come in)
Rachel Ward (asker) Mar 12, 2012:
Draft/draughty An idea via someone else - draft/draughty. If it's draughty, it's full of holes and I want my contract watertight??
Rachel Ward (asker) Mar 12, 2012:
@Helen It is just about absolute secrecy so his mother can't gossip about what he writes, lest she be struck by lightening...
freekfluweel Mar 12, 2012:
set up/set-up set up/set-up12:25

My contract shouldn't be a set-up but a...
To set up a contract
To set up a high hat drum stand/To set up a bad practical joke
freekfluweel Mar 12, 2012:
Dr. Sweettalk Dr. Smoothtalk/Dr. Noisewell
Helen Shiner Mar 12, 2012:
Contract Aside from committing to absolute silence, what is this contract about? Would using ideas around 'disguise' or 'camouflage' work in some way?

Proposed translations

+1
27 mins

put/draw

Ouch, Rachel, that's a tough one! Here's a humble, quick suggestion. I'll let you know if I come up with something better! Good luck!

At first I didn't want to write (down) my experiences (down). But then Dr.Klingschön made a suggestion. We should put it in a contract, he said. And in this contract we swear to absolute secrecy.....I immediately put my contract in writing.
"That's called draw up", my mother explained. "One draws up a contract!"
Huh? "What do you draw it with?" I thought. Crayons? And "putting on airs" means when you just pretend and don't mean what you say/do. My contract should mean what it says.




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Note added at 29 mins (2012-03-12 11:26:01 GMT)
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and "his face was drawn" means he felt bad about it. But I wanted to feel good about my contract.

Peer comment(s):

agree Barbara Wiebking : Like it, including the change you made yourself with the drawn face!
56 mins
Thank you kriddl, it's a nice challenge!
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