als erster überhaupt ... kleinste

English translation: the first to... OR ...smallest available

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:als erster überhaupt ... kleinste
English translation:the first to... OR ...smallest available
Entered by: Harald Moelzer (medical-translator)

14:36 Nov 4, 2009
German to English translations [PRO]
Marketing - Medical: Instruments / Medical devices
German term or phrase: als erster überhaupt ... kleinste
Context:

"Zur Messe stellt [Hersteller] als erster Hersteller überhaupt die kleinste [Sonde] vor."

My problem with this is that other such probes already exist, albeit not as small, so it seems wrong to say that this company is the first manufacturer in the world to present such a probe, but seems at least as wrog (and unnecessarily complex) to say they will be the first manufacturer in the world to present the smallest ever such probe.

Related links:
http://tinyurl.com/yhgews8
http://tinyurl.com/yfkcjmr
http://tinyurl.com/yhsygky
David Williams
Germany
Local time: 08:53
s. u.
Explanation:

"...is the first to offer such a small probe..."

ODER

"...offers the smallest probe (currently available)..."


Die zwei Superlative in einem Satz machen einfach keinen Sinn... ;-)
Selected response from:

Harald Moelzer (medical-translator)
Germany
Local time: 08:53
Grading comment
Herzlichen Dank!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +8s. u.
Harald Moelzer (medical-translator)
4 +1XXX will be the first manufacturer to present this probe, the smallest to date
British Diana


Discussion entries: 4





  

Answers


7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
XXX will be the first manufacturer to present this probe, the smallest to date


Explanation:
Why worry if it sounds a bit exaggerated? Anyway, I've tried to tone it down a bit.

British Diana
Germany
Local time: 08:53
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Nicole Backhaus
1 day 1 hr
  -> Well thanks for your support, Nicole, but the majority now tends in another direction...
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +8
s. u.


Explanation:

"...is the first to offer such a small probe..."

ODER

"...offers the smallest probe (currently available)..."


Die zwei Superlative in einem Satz machen einfach keinen Sinn... ;-)

Harald Moelzer (medical-translator)
Germany
Local time: 08:53
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 168
Grading comment
Herzlichen Dank!
Notes to answerer
Asker: Genau so sah ich das auch, danke für die Bestätigung!

Asker: Thanks everyone. @lirka: It's much harder to do that than you may think. A translation has to convey a meaning, not simply be a series of equivalent words in a different language.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Marga Shaw
5 mins
  -> Many thanks :)

agree  franglish
27 mins
  -> Many thanks :)

agree  Lirka: @asker: just translate it; if it is "inhaltlich" incorrect, that'snot your problem. You may want to write them a note to that effect.
55 mins
  -> Many thanks :)

agree  Inge Meinzer: mir gefällt der erste Vorschlag hier besser :-)
1 hr
  -> Many thanks :)

agree  Lena Nusselt (X)
1 hr
  -> Many thanks :)

agree  Ingeborg Gowans (X): mit Inge Meinzer. das trifft es mE nach am besten
2 hrs
  -> Many thanks :)

agree  Dr. Johanna Schmitt: mit Inge und Ingeborg
2 hrs
  -> Many thanks :)

agree  Rolf Keiser
3 hrs
  -> Many thanks :)
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