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der vermessene Mensch

English translation: The Presumptuous Eye

19:36 May 6, 2012
German to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Media / Multimedia / Preserving double meaning
German term or phrase: der vermessene Mensch
I would like to translate this in a way that preserves the double meaning of the German: 1. the surveyed (or measured) man, and
2. the impudent, foolhardy or overconfident man
This is the proposed title of a written work about people who constantly use, for example, digital cameras to record more or less everything that happens to them in their lives.
This work is likely to be read by Britons, Americans, and other users of English.
Can you think of a way to express this in English in just a few words?
Thank you for suggestions.
Oliver Walter
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:12
English translation:The Presumptuous Eye
Explanation:
As a title, a bit of latitude should be OK, so something along these lines might work. There is a double play on I/eye, putting emphasis on observing, watching by an individual. Maybe a bit too obscure though?
Selected response from:

Ann Drummond (X)
Local time: 10:12
Grading comment
Thank you Ann - this one seems the most appropriate in this case. I'll suggest it to my client (who knows English fairly well) to see what he thinks. Thanks to everybody else also for offering help - really appreciated, and perhaps a useful exercise for all our imaginations.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3person of measure/measure of a person
Michael Martin, MA
3The Self-(ob)server
Edwin Miles
3The measure of man's conceit
Mark Flynn
3The Presumptuous Eye
Ann Drummond (X)


Discussion entries: 4





  

Answers


56 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
person of measure/measure of a person


Explanation:
Not as good as the German, imo, but not too bad. Substitute man/woman for person as needed.

Another idea that sprang to mind:
"scrutable man"
Is that a word yet..? Not as good a juxtaposition but worth a shot..

Michael Martin, MA
United States
Local time: 05:12
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 16
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57 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
The Self-(ob)server


Explanation:
To kick things off: a play on various things...

Edwin Miles
Germany
Local time: 11:12
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 11
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11 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
The measure of man's conceit


Explanation:
Another suggestion.

Mark Flynn
Germany
Local time: 11:12
Native speaker of: English
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12 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
The Presumptuous Eye


Explanation:
As a title, a bit of latitude should be OK, so something along these lines might work. There is a double play on I/eye, putting emphasis on observing, watching by an individual. Maybe a bit too obscure though?

Ann Drummond (X)
Local time: 10:12
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thank you Ann - this one seems the most appropriate in this case. I'll suggest it to my client (who knows English fairly well) to see what he thinks. Thanks to everybody else also for offering help - really appreciated, and perhaps a useful exercise for all our imaginations.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



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