an der Stange festhalten

English translation: use the pole for support

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:an der Stange festhalten
English translation:use the pole for support
Entered by: Kim Metzger

22:24 Dec 30, 2005
German to English translations [PRO]
Science - Cinema, Film, TV, Drama / directions for TV show
German term or phrase: an der Stange festhalten
My first attempt was "holds onto the pole" but it just doesn't work in this context. Of course the acrobat holds onto the pole, but that's not the point. Your suggestions will be welcome.

Ich will euch lieber wieder drei Möglichkeiten zur Auswahl geben. Also: Welchen Zweck erfüllt die Balancierstange für den Artisten?
a) (er) hält sich an der Stange fest
b) (sie) federt (ihn) beim Fall ab
c) (er) verlagert (damit seinen) Schwerpunkt

Richtig ist Antwort A: Der Artist hält sich an der Stange fest. - In diesem Fall also ich. - Oh, hab ich „Fall" gesagt... -Schnell festhalten. - Ja, man kann sich wirklich an dieser Stange festhalten. Diese Balancierstangen sind relativ schwer und erzeugen ein enormes Trägheitsmoment. Das heißt: Wenn ich hier anhebe, dauert es einen Moment, bis die Stange am äußersten Ende nach oben geht. Das reicht, um sich auszubalancieren. Meistens jedenfalls. -Sobald ein gewisser Punkt überwunden ist, wirkt immer mehr Gewicht auf die Stange und irgendwann - bums - letzte Vorstellung.
Kim Metzger
Mexico
Local time: 19:10
use the pole for support
Explanation:
might work
Selected response from:

Brie Vernier
Germany
Local time: 02:10
Grading comment
Thank you all very much. I chose this one but Andrew's "something to hang onto" also got the idea across.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +3use the pole for support
Brie Vernier
2 +2steady oneself with (on?) the pole
Brigitte Hagman
3 +1it gives him something to hang onto
Lancashireman
3holds onto the balancing pole
Kevin Fulton
2he clings (on) to the pole
Christian
2you can hang onto the pole if you like
Jonathan MacKerron


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


13 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
he clings (on) to the pole


Explanation:
What about "clinging (on) to the pole"? This may be possible, even though I don't think "holding on to the pole" would be wrong in your context. "grip" may also be possible here

Christian
Local time: 02:10
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 4
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

22 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5 peer agreement (net): +2
steady oneself with (on?) the pole


Explanation:
ein Versuch... im Sinne von "Balance halten"

Brigitte Hagman
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Melanie Nassar: He uses it to steady himself with. Particularly in view of the next occurrence.
10 hrs
  -> thank you :-)

agree  Cilian O'Tuama
1 day 6 hrs
  -> thank you, Cilian
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

26 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
use the pole for support


Explanation:
might work

Brie Vernier
Germany
Local time: 02:10
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Thank you all very much. I chose this one but Andrew's "something to hang onto" also got the idea across.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Johanna Timm, PhD: that's exactly what I was thinking!
6 mins
  -> Thanks, Johanna, and a happy happy ...!

agree  Christine Lam
2 hrs
  -> Thanks, Christine, and a happy happy ...! (!)

agree  Stephen Sadie: works best, HNY Brie
7 hrs
  -> Thanks, Stephen, and to you!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
er hält sich an der Stange fest
it gives him something to hang onto


Explanation:
slight variation

Lancashireman
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:10
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 46

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Jonathan MacKerron: "hangs onto the pole" was my first thought
9 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
holds onto the balancing pole


Explanation:
Tightwire walkers frequently use a balancing pole.

Kevin Fulton
United States
Local time: 21:10
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

11 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
you can hang onto the pole if you like


Explanation:
yet another option

Jonathan MacKerron
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 27
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.


See also:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search