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English translation: person with a never-say-die attitude
14:54 Nov 2, 2016
German to English translations [PRO] Bus/Financial - Management
German term or phrase:Stehaufmännchen
A client has used this word to refer to people who 'bounce back' after setbacks/defeat and possibly come back stronger. They used "tumbler" in their English, as in the Weebles toys (which 'wobble but don't fall down' if my memery serves me right), but I have my doubts. I heard tumbler and though gymnast. Any ideas? Is there something in English which is as instantly clear as the German?
“It’s not how you get knocked down, it’s how you get back up. It took him (‘Buffering’) a long time to win a big one but he’s endeared himself to the public because of that never say die attitude.” http://www.lions.com.au/news/2016-02-09/never-say-die
Using something like "has the ability to bounce back like a[n] punch ball, inflatable punch bag, rubber ball, etc.", as Bernhard suggests, also seems a reasonable option for the situation you describe (like a Weeble or like a tumbler doll probably wouldn't work for your audience). Whatever you choose, you presumably have to avoid any possible negative connotations, e.g. as in
"Teflon Trump's infamously impenetrably ability to bounce back" or Weebling and wobbling Boris Johnson keeps bouncing back up Who remembers Weebles? The magnificently odd toys which rolled around clumsily causing much amusement but with very little end product. Well, with a hat tip to ITV’s political editor Robert Peston for the inspiration, it’s impossible to think of Boris Johnson as being anything other than part of the family. The one caveat I’d make is that Johnson is obviously from the little known Teflon range, such is his seeming ability to wipe disaster off himself with very little effort. https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/opinion/talking-politics/223...
I know you haven't any German text, but could you post a line or two of the proposed English and tell us what field of management we are talking about and what level of people this refers to?
Call them "Trumps" because no matter what obstacles they encounter on the rough and tumble (campaign) trail, they bounce back, presumably stronger than ever (like zombies from hell). ;-0
I'd just caution about getting too creative here. "Stehaufmännchen" in German is quite...mundane, even if it doesn't look that way.
Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
hi Aspley
17:08 Nov 2, 2016
I thought as much, but don't know you well enough (yet) to be certain. so what ARE you looking for, noun, verb, phrase, adjective, adverb? Or something that can be transformed as needed?
I guess part of the problem is that non-ENS create a presentation that they don't want to hold in German anyway. It would have been more sensible to write notes and ask: "Could you create the English version in PowerPoint"?
Someone who suffers a hard time, but comes back stronger. What do you think?
Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
@ Aspley
16:15 Nov 2, 2016
bouncing back, PLEASE, if you're looking for a verb. which leads me to ask...are you? Bouncebacking simply sounds painful. Bouncebacker, at least. @Brigitte yes, quite clear, very German!
There is no source text with an exact German phrase as it is being put together in English - but we're definitely talking about reslience and bouncing back. Bouncebacking :-) is growing on me.
Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Mr./Mrs. Resilience
15:31 Nov 2, 2016
would be understood everywhere...cogitating, cogitating
Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
@Brigitte
15:30 Nov 2, 2016
Yes, the boucebackability by dict.cc tickled me.
Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Jack in the box
15:29 Nov 2, 2016
is the literal translation in US English, but I think it must reflect the most positive aspects, right?
It will be used by nativer speakers of German presenting in English to other German speakers, Brits/US Americans and the rest will be 'lingua franca listeners' - which is why I have my doubts about 'tumbler'.
Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Hi Aspley
15:09 Nov 2, 2016
Which English variant?
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
6 mins confidence:
Skipjacks; diehards
Explanation:
Skipjacks not after the tuna fish, but after the type of small sailing boat with a V-shaped bottom which when blown or pushed to one side or the other, automatically re-stabilises its equilibrium.
Andrew Bramhall United Kingdom Local time: 07:57 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 4
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Oliver! I came across skipjack, too, but had never heard of it before - particularly in this context - and nor had my colleagues. Would you have understood the meaning in this context straight away? 'Diehard' sounds a bit too much like Clint Eastwood or Charles Bronson - again, in this context.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 hr (2016-11-02 15:57:45 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Okay, how about "Mr. Relentless"? Keeps going like the energizer bunny, can't be kept down, always bounces right back into the fray..
"Paul Millsap: Mr. Relentless The soul of the Atlanta Hawks, Paul Millsap defines what it means to play the right way. Versatile and committed, tenacious and gritty, Millsap rebounds the ball, passes on the block, scores inside and out and controls the pace. But, his biggest contribution is his toughness and consistency. The 2006 second round pick approaches the game the same way miners search for coal. He digs in and never, ever lets up as he is relentless in his will to achieve." https://soaringdownsouth.com/2015/05/18/cavs-hawks-4-players...
Michael Martin, MA United States Local time: 03:57 Works in field Native speaker of: German, English PRO pts in category: 63
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Michael, great suggestion, my only concern is that it sounds like somebody who was away for a while and starts a comeback; my context is more picking yourself up off the floor, dusting yourself down and getting back into the action.
Explanation: trier noun [ C ] UK /ˈtraɪ.ər/ US /ˈtraɪ.ɚ/ mainly uk approving someone who tries hard to succeed in what they do, even if it fails: Example: She's a real trier, I'll give her that. http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/trier
Lancashireman United Kingdom Local time: 07:57 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 68
“It’s not how you get knocked down, it’s how you get back up. It took him (‘Buffering’) a long time to win a big one but he’s endeared himself to the public because of that never say die attitude.” http://www.lions.com.au/news/2016-02-09/never-say-die
Using something like "has the ability to bounce back like a[n] punch ball, inflatable punch bag, rubber ball, etc.", as Bernhard suggests, also seems a reasonable option for the situation you describe (like a Weeble or like a tumbler doll probably wouldn't work for your audience). Whatever you choose, you presumably have to avoid any possible negative connotations, e.g. as in
"Teflon Trump's infamously impenetrably ability to bounce back" or Weebling and wobbling Boris Johnson keeps bouncing back up Who remembers Weebles? The magnificently odd toys which rolled around clumsily causing much amusement but with very little end product. Well, with a hat tip to ITV’s political editor Robert Peston for the inspiration, it’s impossible to think of Boris Johnson as being anything other than part of the family. The one caveat I’d make is that Johnson is obviously from the little known Teflon range, such is his seeming ability to wipe disaster off himself with very little effort. https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/opinion/talking-politics/223...
Alison MacG United Kingdom Local time: 07:57 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
The 'never-say-die solution' was very popular at today's meeting - many thanks, much appreciated!
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