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ideologický kolovrátek

English translation: ideological hurdy-gurdy / organ-grinder

18:14 Dec 16, 2009
Czech to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Religion / sociology of religion under Communism
Czech term or phrase: ideologický kolovrátek
Dear colleagues,

my next question regards an expression that I have encountered during my translation of the very same article as before (my last three posts). The author enjoys metaphorical expressions and I would like to retain the metaphorical dimension in my translation. The metaphor of "ideologický kolovrátek" has however, caused a considerable "head-scratching" on my part and I thus decided to turn to my colleagues to see what is their opinion on the matter. Please find below, two instances, in which this expression appears. There is another expression that the author uses in the given context, i.e. that of "krunýř" which I have decided to translate as a "straightjacket".

"Emancipace je vlastně hlavní téma citované Svitákovy úvahy, nevybíravě kritizující praxi počátku 50. let, kdy byly vědy o společnosti (alespoň podle tohoto autora) sevřeny „krunýřem“ a hrály pouze roli „ideologického kolovrátku“.
Later on within the text, the author questions:
"Kdo vytvořil z revolučních idejí Marxe a Lenina „krunýř“ a „ideologický kolovrátek“?"

Thank you!!!
With my best wishes,

Myska
myska
Local time: 13:40
English translation:ideological hurdy-gurdy / organ-grinder
Explanation:
Well, the metaphors in your text are quite colourful.

My above two suggestions both express the idea of the same thing repeated again and again.

A hurdy-gurdy (whether you take it in its original sense of a medieval instrument, or in the sense of a barrel-organ) just drones on... If you want to "personalise" it, you could say "ideological organ-grinder", i.e. the one who cranks the handle.

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Note added at 14 hrs (2009-12-17 09:11:10 GMT)
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I'm taking "kolovrátek" in the sense of "barrel organ". I think the idea of mindless repetition is there. Earlier, I was thinking of "refrain" (same old monotonous refrain). This is in line with Maria's idea, "worn-out song".
Selected response from:

Dylan Edwards
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:40
Grading comment
Thank you, Dylan. You have given a much needed confirmation of a native English speaker :o)
Thank you
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +1ideological spinning wheel
Gerry Vickers
4ideological rollercoaster
lingua chick
4an ideological merry-go-round
Hannah Geiger (X)
3ideological hurdy-gurdy / organ-grinder
Dylan Edwards


Discussion entries: 5





  

Answers


15 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
ideological spinning wheel


Explanation:
Why not? Let the reader decide what it might mean...

Gerry Vickers
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:40
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, Gerry!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Maria Chmelarova: it is fine, or " ideological circus "
29 mins
  -> thanks - I'm not sure that 'circus' brings across the idea, though - like a 'media circus', i.e. attracting a lot of attention but not achieving anything useful - although maybe this is what it means :)
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31 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
ideological rollercoaster


Explanation:
Slightly stronger term, but you could also perhaps use "ideological rollercoaster" as in the enclosed article, please see link below.


    Reference: http://www.lib.umd.edu/drum/bitstream/1903/2658/1/umi-umd-25...
lingua chick
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:40
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 12
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, I value your opinion but I think that "ideological rollercoaster" gives a bit of a different idea than what the original intended, which is a mindless repetition of something.

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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
an ideological merry-go-round


Explanation:
slightly sarcastic but maybe you'll like it

Hannah Geiger (X)
United States
Local time: 08:40
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in CzechCzech, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 19
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, Hannah!

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14 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
ideological hurdy-gurdy / organ-grinder


Explanation:
Well, the metaphors in your text are quite colourful.

My above two suggestions both express the idea of the same thing repeated again and again.

A hurdy-gurdy (whether you take it in its original sense of a medieval instrument, or in the sense of a barrel-organ) just drones on... If you want to "personalise" it, you could say "ideological organ-grinder", i.e. the one who cranks the handle.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 14 hrs (2009-12-17 09:11:10 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I'm taking "kolovrátek" in the sense of "barrel organ". I think the idea of mindless repetition is there. Earlier, I was thinking of "refrain" (same old monotonous refrain). This is in line with Maria's idea, "worn-out song".

Dylan Edwards
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:40
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Thank you, Dylan. You have given a much needed confirmation of a native English speaker :o)
Thank you
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, Dylan, you are right, there are plenty of very colourful metaphors in both of my texts which makes their translation very enjoyable yet challenging at the same time. I believe, as you do, that the expression of "ideologický kolovrátek" is to suggest that social sciences in their straightjacket only produced mindless repetition ... very much like what an organ-grinder produces when he turns the handle of his instrument. I just wasn't sure whether an English reader would understand the expression if translated as "hurdy-gurdy" or "organ-grinder" thus I am very grateful to have your opinion. I also very much like your idea of "refrain". This is perfect. It is commonly used in academic articles, I believe, in the very sense that the author have intended (just see results from Google search for 'ideological refrain'). I'll think about it. Thank you!!!

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