Akzente setzen

English translation: to leave a mark

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Akzente setzen
English translation:to leave a mark
Entered by: diamond 102

09:26 Feb 18, 2010
German to English translations [PRO]
Marketing - Business/Commerce (general)
German term or phrase: Akzente setzen
I know what it means, I just can't find the right phrase/words in English - one that doesn't sound to "Germanified".

It's from an article about someone retiring.

"In mehr als 30 Jahren bei [FIRMA] setzte er zahlreiche Akzente."

I'm thinking something along the lines of "highlights" as in "his career had many highlights", but I feel this gets rid of the active nature of "er setzte". Any other suggestions? Thanks!
diamond 102
Local time: 19:15
he left his marks
Explanation:
Examples:

"The bold designer has left his marks on a petite hotel recently opened near the Palazz o Grassi."

http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:NJSrBYNK2RoJ:www.artinf...

________________________________

"Rev. David G. Jackson, General Secretary of the World's Christian Endeavor Union from 1984 to 2006, ..... was a well accepted leader and a trustworthy and polite brother. He left his marks in the history of the WCEU."

http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:C2eLeiVMCm4J:www.myersf...

_____________________________

"Lewis left his marks flying for Boeing Air Transport Co., United Airlines, and later as Chief Pilot establishing and operating the Trans Canada Air Transport system."

http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:oUAORikbKxkJ:www.dmairf...
Selected response from:

Nicole Schnell
United States
Local time: 10:15
Grading comment
Wow! Sometimes the answer is so obvious it just passes one by. Thanks for the answer! Definitely used the singular & thanks for the suggestion of watching the verb tense.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +8he left his marks
Nicole Schnell
4to bring out or emphasize the main points or features
Ellen Kraus
4distinguished...
Anja Wulf (X)
3reaching milestones
Daniel Frisano
3... his focus was on...
sappho


  

Answers


3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
reaching milestones


Explanation:
a suggestion

Daniel Frisano
Italy
Local time: 19:15
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in ItalianItalian

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  dkfmmuc: Neutral. I think the meaning of reaching milestones would be ok but it should be a bit more emotional like the other suggestion "left his marks". Sorry to give a neutral comment.
9 hrs
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8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
... his focus was on...


Explanation:
perhaps

sappho
Local time: 19:15
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 16

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Armorel Young: on what? - the context doesn't tell us
5 hrs
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16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +8
he left his marks


Explanation:
Examples:

"The bold designer has left his marks on a petite hotel recently opened near the Palazz o Grassi."

http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:NJSrBYNK2RoJ:www.artinf...

________________________________

"Rev. David G. Jackson, General Secretary of the World's Christian Endeavor Union from 1984 to 2006, ..... was a well accepted leader and a trustworthy and polite brother. He left his marks in the history of the WCEU."

http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:C2eLeiVMCm4J:www.myersf...

_____________________________

"Lewis left his marks flying for Boeing Air Transport Co., United Airlines, and later as Chief Pilot establishing and operating the Trans Canada Air Transport system."

http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:oUAORikbKxkJ:www.dmairf...

Nicole Schnell
United States
Local time: 10:15
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 112
Grading comment
Wow! Sometimes the answer is so obvious it just passes one by. Thanks for the answer! Definitely used the singular & thanks for the suggestion of watching the verb tense.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  David Hollywood: maybe something like: In his more than 30 years with xxx, he (has) left his mark in numerous areas. ... I think the singular sounds more natural here :) ... and present perfect so as not to write him off completely :)
48 mins
  -> Thanks, David!

agree  Annett Kottek (X)
57 mins
  -> Thanks, Annett!

agree  Olga Cartlidge: his mark (not marks) and indeed the present perfect will make it sound more cheerful : - ))
1 hr
  -> Thanks, Olga!

agree  Michele Johnson: Or some combination with "an indelible mark". Marks, plural sounds like dogs and fire hydrants :) so I agree, avoid that.
4 hrs
  -> Dogs and... ooops! :-))))) Thanks, Michele!

agree  Armorel Young: yes, mark (singular) - an excellent solution because we don't need to specify what he left his mark on, so avoids the problem of terms like "focused on"
5 hrs
  -> Thanks, Armorel!

agree  dkfmmuc: Just want to agree, it's a great one.
9 hrs
  -> Thanks, dkfmmuc!

agree  Nicole Backhaus
17 hrs
  -> Thanks, Nicole!

agree  Dr. Andrew Hudson: "Left his mark on"
2527 days
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
to bring out or emphasize the main points or features


Explanation:
that´s what Collins suggests

Ellen Kraus
Austria
Local time: 19:15
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 88

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Armorel Young: "the main points or features" isn't stated in this context, and doesn't fit
4 hrs
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9 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
distinguished...


Explanation:
As in, "his over 30 year-long legacy at XXX was/is distinguished by numerous [key] accomplishments". Nice & flowery, paying homage to the man and his work...

Anja Wulf (X)
Local time: 13:15
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in GermanGerman
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