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  3. International Org/Dev/Coop

zij fungeren als aanjager

English translation: They are the driving force behind...

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Dutch term or phrase:zij fungeren als aanjager
English translation:They are the driving force behind...
Entered by: adremco

14:19 Apr 18, 2009
Dutch to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - International Org/Dev/Coop
Dutch term or phrase: zij fungeren als aanjager
In dit kader spelen de maatschappelijke organisaties, zowel in het Zuiden als het Noorden, een eigenstandige rol, zij fungeren als aanjager op weg naar een betere toekomst.

NB: if anyone has a better translation for 'eigenstandig' than autonomous, you're more than welcome.
adremco
Local time: 12:45
they are the motors
Explanation:
'they are the motors behind the development of a better future' (not 'they are the motors on the road to a better future'!)

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Note added at 23 hrs (2009-04-19 14:07:06 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

I must admit, some googling proves this phrase is not in common use. I saw it used in The Economist a while back and liked the sound of it...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day18 hrs (2009-04-20 08:54:40 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Maybe the person who coined this phrase drove an old VW Beetle or Skoda; with the motor behind.
Selected response from:

Oliver Pekelharing
Netherlands
Local time: 11:45
Grading comment
Nice. I made it: they are the motors of a drive to develop a better future.
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +4(Postgrading) they are the driving force behind ...
jarry (X)
3 -1they function as an instigator
Filip Lagey (X)
4 -2they are the motors
Oliver Pekelharing


  

Answers


13 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): -1
they function as an instigator


Explanation:
or "they act as an instigator"

Filip Lagey (X)
Belgium
Local time: 11:45
Native speaker of: Native in DutchDutch

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  jarry (X): has a negative ring to it; synonyms include agitator, firebrand, fomenter, incendiary, mischiefmaker,ringleader and troublemaker!
41 mins
  -> You must be right. In Latin however, 'instigare' also has a sense of 'stimulating'.
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46 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
(Postgrading) they are the driving force behind ...


Explanation:
...

jarry (X)
South Africa
Local time: 11:45
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Siobhan Schoonhoff-Reilly: My thoughts exactly!!!
3 mins
  -> Thank you
agree  LouisV (X): absolutely!
11 hrs
  -> Thanks Louis
agree  Kitty Brussaard: IMO this really is the best option :-)
1 day 4 hrs
  -> Thanks Kitty
agree  vixen
1 day 16 hrs
  -> Thank you
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11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): -2
they are the motors


Explanation:
'they are the motors behind the development of a better future' (not 'they are the motors on the road to a better future'!)

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 23 hrs (2009-04-19 14:07:06 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

I must admit, some googling proves this phrase is not in common use. I saw it used in The Economist a while back and liked the sound of it...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day18 hrs (2009-04-20 08:54:40 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Maybe the person who coined this phrase drove an old VW Beetle or Skoda; with the motor behind.

Oliver Pekelharing
Netherlands
Local time: 11:45
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Nice. I made it: they are the motors of a drive to develop a better future.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  jarry (X): Not idiomatic in English. I think what bothers me is the plural (motors) and the word 'behind'. It just doesn't sound right to my ears. I think one could say the engine (of change for instance) but not the engine/motor behind.
48 mins
  -> Not sure which part you think is not idiomatic. Being 'the motor behind' someting is perfectly acceptable English. That said, your suggestion is certainly a good one.
disagree  LouisV (X): I agree with Jarry, this sounds like Dunglish to my ears
1 day 11 hrs
  -> As I mentioned above, I first saw it used in The Economist; they don't use Dunglish...
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