Sep 14, 2018 12:46
5 yrs ago
8 viewers *
German term
Australia
Engineer and Accredited Translator
Native in: German 
, English
Works in: German to English, English to German
Akkordunternehmung
German to English
Bus/Financial
Construction / Civil Engineering
All,
I am proofreading a translation of a Swiss employment reference.
The first paragraph reads: Die Firma xyz ist als ***Akkordunternehmung *** im Hochbau, Bereich Schalungs- und Mauerbau tätig.
Akkordunternehmung appears to be specific to Switzerland. I am looking for suitable translation to UK English.
Thank you.
Peter
I am proofreading a translation of a Swiss employment reference.
The first paragraph reads: Die Firma xyz ist als ***Akkordunternehmung *** im Hochbau, Bereich Schalungs- und Mauerbau tätig.
Akkordunternehmung appears to be specific to Switzerland. I am looking for suitable translation to UK English.
Thank you.
Peter
Proposed translations
(English)
| 3 | subcontractor / trade contractor (specialising in...) |
Björn Vrooman
|
| 4 +2 | contractor |
philgoddard
|
| 4 | piecework contractor (piecework subcontractor) |
Johannes Gleim
|
Proposed translations
1 day 20 hrs
Selected
subcontractor / trade contractor (specialising in...)
Please see:
https://issuu.com/fachkom/docs/die-baustellen-01-2016/56
I think this is a good starting point. An Akkordunternehmen is a company that is being paid per job completed but pays its workers on an hourly basis.
While I agree with Johannes that Akkord is an important part of the name, I also agree with Phil that piecework doesn't add much. In fact, it's quite meaningless. Here's why:
"Independent contractors are normally paid per job completed. A general contractor can hire sub-contractors for various portions of a large project. This would be considered piece work; however, under independent contractor guidelines, the general contractor is not responsible for meeting a minimum wage."
https://blog.pacifictimesheet.com/blog/what-you-should-know-...
Moreover, there is potential for confusion since this doesn't seem to be about piece-rate pay (see above):
https://biasandiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/AB-1513.p...
What these companies all seem to have in common, though, is that they're subcontractors or trade contractors. Two examples:
http://www.koschar.ch/unternehmensgeschichte/default.html
http://www.genarakkord.ch/unserangebot.php
I don't believe they can be general contractors and there is a difference:
https://esub.com/resources/subcontractor-vs-contractor-under...
Likewise, they are specialists. Nowadays, trade contractor seems to be the preferred solution:
https://www.grbj.com/blogs/8-construction/post/82273-trade-c...
Also, there are many types of contractors (in contrast to building company specializing in..., I usually don't see "contractor" without some other word attached): https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Types_of_contracto...
If the wiki is to be believed, there is a difference between trades and trade contractor (at least in the UK), but I don't know.
Cf.
https://www.informaccounting.co.uk/trade-contractors
https://www.ccscheme.org.uk/2014-03-26-16-22-36
https://pristinelondon.co.uk/pristine-london-named-trade-con...
https://mosscm.com/tradecontractors
https://study.com/articles/Job_Description_of_a_Trade_Contra...
Australia:
http://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/contractors/apply-licence/apply-t...
Examples in context:
"Jahn & Sons, Inc. is a full service commercial subcontractor specializing in drywall, metal stud framing, taping, finishing, and plastering."
http://www.jahnandsons.com
"Originally founded in 1960, The Kirlin Group began as a single trade contractor specializing in plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning."
http://www.jjkllc.net
Or, you forget about specialis/zing and name the specialty trade first:
"The Formwork Company Ltd are a reinforced concrete contractor based in Essex."
http://formworkcompany.co.uk
https://issuu.com/fachkom/docs/die-baustellen-01-2016/56
I think this is a good starting point. An Akkordunternehmen is a company that is being paid per job completed but pays its workers on an hourly basis.
While I agree with Johannes that Akkord is an important part of the name, I also agree with Phil that piecework doesn't add much. In fact, it's quite meaningless. Here's why:
"Independent contractors are normally paid per job completed. A general contractor can hire sub-contractors for various portions of a large project. This would be considered piece work; however, under independent contractor guidelines, the general contractor is not responsible for meeting a minimum wage."
https://blog.pacifictimesheet.com/blog/what-you-should-know-...
Moreover, there is potential for confusion since this doesn't seem to be about piece-rate pay (see above):
https://biasandiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/AB-1513.p...
What these companies all seem to have in common, though, is that they're subcontractors or trade contractors. Two examples:
http://www.koschar.ch/unternehmensgeschichte/default.html
http://www.genarakkord.ch/unserangebot.php
I don't believe they can be general contractors and there is a difference:
https://esub.com/resources/subcontractor-vs-contractor-under...
Likewise, they are specialists. Nowadays, trade contractor seems to be the preferred solution:
https://www.grbj.com/blogs/8-construction/post/82273-trade-c...
Also, there are many types of contractors (in contrast to building company specializing in..., I usually don't see "contractor" without some other word attached): https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Types_of_contracto...
If the wiki is to be believed, there is a difference between trades and trade contractor (at least in the UK), but I don't know.
Cf.
https://www.informaccounting.co.uk/trade-contractors
https://www.ccscheme.org.uk/2014-03-26-16-22-36
https://pristinelondon.co.uk/pristine-london-named-trade-con...
https://mosscm.com/tradecontractors
https://study.com/articles/Job_Description_of_a_Trade_Contra...
Australia:
http://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/contractors/apply-licence/apply-t...
Examples in context:
"Jahn & Sons, Inc. is a full service commercial subcontractor specializing in drywall, metal stud framing, taping, finishing, and plastering."
http://www.jahnandsons.com
"Originally founded in 1960, The Kirlin Group began as a single trade contractor specializing in plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning."
http://www.jjkllc.net
Or, you forget about specialis/zing and name the specialty trade first:
"The Formwork Company Ltd are a reinforced concrete contractor based in Essex."
http://formworkcompany.co.uk
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "thank you Björn"
+2
1 hr
philgoddard
United States
United States
Native in English
United States
Six languages into flawless English
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, French to English, Spanish to English, and 4 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
65
contractor
The dictionary gives "piecework" for "Akkord", but we wouldn't say "piecework company". They work on specific projects.
Akkordunternehmen/Akkordunternehmung appear to be specific to Switzerland, and get very few hits - maybe it's a posh way of saying Unternehmer or Auftragnehmer.
http://dictionary.reverso.net/german-english/akkord
Akkordunternehmen/Akkordunternehmung appear to be specific to Switzerland, and get very few hits - maybe it's a posh way of saying Unternehmer or Auftragnehmer.
http://dictionary.reverso.net/german-english/akkord
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Thomas Pfann
: Nothing to do with 'Akkordarbeit/im Akkord arbeiten', though. Many hits for 'Akkordunternehmen' on .ch sites; it is Swiss for 'Vertragsunternehmen' (from French accord = Vertrag/contract). // You're right, actually. I retract my first sentence. :)
5 mins
|
|
Thanks. I disagree with your first sentence, though - it means working under an agreement, ie as a contractor.
|
|
| agree |
Steffen Walter
11 mins
|
| agree |
Kim Metzger
22 hrs
|
| disagree |
Johannes Gleim
: "Akkord" is an essential part of the term and cannot be omitted. Normal (sub)contractors are not paid by pieces per time but for the full work/lot/trade agreed on in the contract. // Not in the context of "Akkordunternehmung".
1 day 8 hrs
|
|
I haven't omitted anything. Akkord=contract.
|
22 hrs
Johannes Gleim
Native in German
Works in field
40 years Engineer, 20 years translations
Native in: German
Works in: English to German, German to English, French to German, and 6 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
322
piecework contractor (piecework subcontractor)
Wie in der Einleitung zu "Schäfer, Wirtschaftswörterbuch" ausgeführt wird, sind die Bedeutungen von Wörtern in jeder Sprache mehr oder weniger mehrdeutig und anhand spezifischer Definitionen im jeweiligen Fachgebiet genau zu fassen. Üblicherweise werden die Wörter auch nicht alleinstehend gebraucht, sondern im Satzzusammenhang (Beispiel. "dünne Kapitaldecke" entspricht einem anderen englischen Begriff als "Kapitaldecke". Definitionswörterbücher sind aber nur einsprachig. Man müsste deshalb sowohl die deutsche Definition kennen, als auch die äquivalente Definition im Englischen und erst von dort aus zum englischen Fachbegriff gelangen. Im Obigen Beispiel von "dünne Kapitaldecke" über die Definitionen zu "slender/inadequate capital/equity base".
Will man das anwenden, so stößt man sofort auf die Schwierigkeit, dass man meist nur ein Rechtsgebiet wirklich gut kennt (das des Muttersprachlers), aber selten das der Fremdsprache. Versuchen wir das trotzdem anzuwenden
Da ich die Definitionen nicht parat habe, muss ich anders vorgehen:
Im Schäfer finde ich (auszugsweise):
Akkord (m) … (IndE) piece work
Akkordarbeit f (IndE) piecework; (GB) task system of pay; task wages
Akkordlohn m (IndE) piecework rate; piecework wage; piece rate; payment by piece rates
Ähnliche Ausdrücke gibt es unter Stücklohn:
Stücklohn m (IndE) payment by piece rates; wage on piecework basis
Das erinnert mich an Lohnauftrag, Lohnauftragnehmer und Lohnveredelung:
Lohnauftrag m (com) farming-out contract; commission order
Lohnveredelung f (com) (cross-border) commission processing; contract processing; job processing; (StR) …
Auftragnehmer m (com) contractor
Unteraufträge vergeben mpl (com) to subcontract; to farm out work
We should not accept the promotional term "sharing economy" for companies like Uber. That is spin. A more accurate term is "piecework subcontractor economy".
https://stallman.org/uber.html
He later worked as foreman and supervisor for several construction companies: …Tate Construction, and so on, and as a piecework subcontractor for developers in homes in Plainfield, New Jersey.
From 1960 to 1969 he operated his own business, Mayo’s Builders, as a general contractor in Durham, North Carolina …
https://books.google.de/books?id=0BdlCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT302&lpg=P...
Work was carried out by piecework contractor engaged directly by the consultant. Each of these had a labor force of approximately 50 local people.
https://www.google.de/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd...
Bitte beachten, dass der Ausdruck sowohl einen einzelnen Unternehmer als auch eine Firma bezeichnen kann. Aber auch Einzelpersonen können als Firma auftreten, wenn sie keine Angestellten (mehr) beschäftigen.
Will man das anwenden, so stößt man sofort auf die Schwierigkeit, dass man meist nur ein Rechtsgebiet wirklich gut kennt (das des Muttersprachlers), aber selten das der Fremdsprache. Versuchen wir das trotzdem anzuwenden
Da ich die Definitionen nicht parat habe, muss ich anders vorgehen:
Im Schäfer finde ich (auszugsweise):
Akkord (m) … (IndE) piece work
Akkordarbeit f (IndE) piecework; (GB) task system of pay; task wages
Akkordlohn m (IndE) piecework rate; piecework wage; piece rate; payment by piece rates
Ähnliche Ausdrücke gibt es unter Stücklohn:
Stücklohn m (IndE) payment by piece rates; wage on piecework basis
Das erinnert mich an Lohnauftrag, Lohnauftragnehmer und Lohnveredelung:
Lohnauftrag m (com) farming-out contract; commission order
Lohnveredelung f (com) (cross-border) commission processing; contract processing; job processing; (StR) …
Auftragnehmer m (com) contractor
Unteraufträge vergeben mpl (com) to subcontract; to farm out work
We should not accept the promotional term "sharing economy" for companies like Uber. That is spin. A more accurate term is "piecework subcontractor economy".
https://stallman.org/uber.html
He later worked as foreman and supervisor for several construction companies: …Tate Construction, and so on, and as a piecework subcontractor for developers in homes in Plainfield, New Jersey.
From 1960 to 1969 he operated his own business, Mayo’s Builders, as a general contractor in Durham, North Carolina …
https://books.google.de/books?id=0BdlCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT302&lpg=P...
Work was carried out by piecework contractor engaged directly by the consultant. Each of these had a labor force of approximately 50 local people.
https://www.google.de/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd...
Bitte beachten, dass der Ausdruck sowohl einen einzelnen Unternehmer als auch eine Firma bezeichnen kann. Aber auch Einzelpersonen können als Firma auftreten, wenn sie keine Angestellten (mehr) beschäftigen.
Discussion
https://issuu.com/fachkom/docs/die-baustellen-01-2016/56
PS
Really, just because something gets very few Google hits doesn't mean it's not in use. Don't know how often I need to quote from articles about search engines and their flaws.
PS2
I think this is about subcontractors in particular:
https://esub.com/resources/subcontractor-vs-contractor-under...
https://blog.pacifictimesheet.com/blog/what-you-should-know-...
E.g. "subcontractor specializing in"--see https://heitkotter.com
I don't believe they can be general contractors.
Best wishes