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
E.
(Gegenstand x) bislang nicht als Fundsache gemeldet ist
Feb 1, 2016 15:38
8 yrs ago
3 viewers *
German term

selbstvergewisserung

German to English Social Sciences History Medieval History
Schließlich stellt sich die Frage nach dem konkreten Grund für die Anlage eines Inventares: Waren es Neuerwerbungen oder die Angst vor bevorstehenden Verlusten? Diente das Inventar der Selbstvergewisserung or was it the first step entering those objects back into economic circulation?

The last part of the sentence was already written in English.

Self-assurance doesn't make sense here. Ascertaining? Assessing?
Proposed translations (English)
3 +3 for peace of mind
4 +1 to reassure (the owner)
3 self-reassurance/self-conservation

Discussion

Kaportnoy (asker) Feb 1, 2016:
Thank you everyone. This helps a great deal!
Ramey Rieger (X) Feb 1, 2016:
Doing the do and the shoobeedoobeedoo, too!
Helen Shiner Feb 1, 2016:
Hi Ramey Thanks, a bit groggy, and you?
Ramey Rieger (X) Feb 1, 2016:
Hi Helen Yes, I had a change of heart as well, bit I still think self-assurance in its older sense fits. I guess it depends on whether the language should correspond to the times. Hope you're well!
Helen Shiner Feb 1, 2016:
Change of mind Although what I wrote re reasons for producing an inventory was legitimate, I have hidden my answer because, on second thoughts, I think this is about reassuring himself. Making sure he can keep tabs on the items owned.
Kaportnoy (asker) Feb 1, 2016:
@philgoddard it's a textile inventory from the middle ages.
HildegardBingen Feb 1, 2016:
Or to convince oneself? I wager, the idea in English to "convince oneself" that one is prepared for X to happen, is an additional option. "Insurance" is an additional stand in, as an actual noun.
HildegardBingen Feb 1, 2016:
From another discussion on the meaning- This is a tricky one, my initial feeling is to call it "self reassurance" but such a phrase sits badly in English. Perhaps it would be more correct to say "to reassure oneself". "Did the inventory serve to reassure oneself or..."
philgoddard Feb 1, 2016:
What kind of inventory are we talking about?

Proposed translations

+3
14 hrs
Selected

for peace of mind

"Was the inventory kept for peace of mind or was it the first step entering those objects back into economic circulation?"

"Reassure" is more tricky to use in a self-contained phrase because you will have to ask: Reassure whom? Reassure him/her of what?
Peer comment(s):
agree TonyTK : Sounds more natural
1 hr
agree Thayenga : Flows well and conveys the actual meaning. :)
2 hrs
agree gangels (X)
11 hrs
neutral Helen Shiner : Just seen your comment re reassure. Well, my response is whose peace of mind? The same problem applies. But in both cases the context makes it abundantly clear. Your answer's fine, just don't pretend mine isn't./Specious argument. Both 4 words long.
18 hrs
I don’t do pretending. My point is that variations of ‘reassurance’ get the meaning across but are trickier to integrate into a sentence because you have a grammatical need to expand the phrase. “Peace of mind” can stand alone.
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "this is great, thanks!"
46 mins

self-reassurance/self-conservation

I see the trouble with self-assurance, although I know it to be used in this context, particularly in its older meaning.
Something went wrong...
+1
50 mins

to reassure (the owner)

See my discussion entry. I would reword the sentence. I don't think we use 'self-reassurance' as a term. ... served to reassure the owner/him (depending on prior formulation.).
Peer comment(s):
agree Irina-Livia : I agree with Helen - her suggestion makes to me the most sense for this translation.
1 day 7 hrs
Thank you, Irina-Livia
Something went wrong...
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search