Feb 14, 2016 19:33
8 yrs ago
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Finnish term

elämyksellinen

Finnish to English Art/Literary Architecture
In texts explaining their buildings, contemporary Finnish architects are fond of the word ”elämyksellinen”. The typical dictionary definitions are: experiential, empirical, life-affording, life-enhancing, rich and, perhaps most commonly, memorable. The choice of translation of course may vary from case to case. Below are 3 examples, from the same text, where the client suggested the same word should be used in all cases. The word eventually chosen was ‘memorable’: but in parentheses I have placed the word I was originally suggesting. I’d welcome any thoughts on this?

Materiaalien luonteva ja elämyksellinen ikääntyminen.
The natural and memorable (distinguished) aging of the materials. [Here ‘memorable aging’ sounds odd)

Sijoittelun tuloksena syntyneen pihan käsittely on elämyksellistä ja oppimista tukevaa.
As a consequence of its placement, the handling of the yard is memorable (rich) and supportive of learning.

Telakka transformoituu elämykselliseksi museoksi.
The dock is transformed into a museum offering memorable experiences.
Proposed translations (English)
4 +2 life-enriching

Proposed translations

+2
9 hrs
Selected

life-enriching

life-enriching
Peer comment(s):

agree Spencer Allman : Yes. Sometimes 'adventurous' is OK
1 hr
agree Kasvukas : If we must choose a single target term for these examples, "dynamic" itself is similarly (over)used for anything exciting, engaging, memorable, vibrant, enriching, etc.
4 days
Something went wrong...
2 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you for your suggestion/s! 'Elämyksellinen' is used in so many different ways in Finnish; the authors' intentions are often to say that, say, a space will be dynamic and that it offers life-enhancing experiences. But, taking the examples I gave, the notion of "The natural and life-enriching aging of the materials" seems off the mark. To call a yard "life-enriching" seems somewhat hyperbolic. In the case of the museum to say "life-enriching museum" also seems a bit over the top, and hence I had offered "a museum offering memorable experiences" or perhaps now "a museum offering life-enriching experiences"."
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