Denkzellen

English translation: think tanks

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

German term or phrase:	Denkzellen
English translation:	think tanks
Entered by:	Julie Draper-Duruz

13:34 Jun 1, 2005

German to English translations [PRO]
Science - Science (general)

German term or phrase: Denkzellen

I could be sure that there is an English equivalent for this word that is more appropriate than a literal translation of “think cells”. I think I have been living outside of the English-speaking world for too long now and I can’t seem to come up with it! Also, if anyone has any suggestions about the wording of the rest of sentence, I would be happy to hear them….it reads terribly at present but I couldn’t seem to come up with anything better just yet.

“Der Bau folgt seiner Funktion als Physik-Institut mit den drei Hauptbereichen, die in jedem Geschoss vorkommen: Labore für die experimentellen Physiker, graue "Denkzellen" für die theoretischen Physiker sowie jede Menge Haus- und Forschungstechnik.“

My translation so far:
„The building functions as an institute for physics with the three main sectors that can be found on every floor: laboratories for experimental physicists, grey “thinking cells” for theoretical physicists as well as a significant amount of building services and research technologies.”

Thanks a lot!

Julie Draper-Duruz KudoZ activity Questions: 223 (none open) Answers: 23
Local time: 11:53

think tanks

Explanation:
a common term for research facilities

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Note added at 10 mins (2005-06-01 13:44:46 GMT)
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probably w/o the \"grauen\"

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Note added at 55 mins (2005-06-01 14:29:48 GMT)
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can also apply to a group individuals

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Think_tank

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Note added at 5 hrs 13 mins (2005-06-01 18:47:48 GMT)
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see additional link
http://www.hyperdictionary.com/search.aspx?define=think tank

Selected response from:

Michael McWilliam
United States
Local time: 03:53

Grading comment

Thanks very much for your suggestions!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

4 +4

think tanks

Michael McWilliam

(scientific) work environment

@caduceus (X)

think clink

Frosty

thinking chambers

Lori Dendy-Molz

brainstorming rooms

desiderata (X)

Answers

1 hr confidence:

thinking chambers

Explanation:
Just another thought. I do agree that "think tank" refers to a group of people who gather to think/discuss, and not to the place where they do the thinking.

Lori Dendy-Molz
Germany
Local time: 11:53
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4

3 hrs confidence:

(scientific) work environment

Explanation:
(Scientific) work environment for physicists to focus on their thinking processes and to conduct theoretical research.

I'd drop "grau" in this case, since this refers to "graue Zellen" (Denkverlust), and that wouldn't make any sense in English.

@caduceus (X)
United States
Local time: 03:53
Native speaker of:

German

4 hrs confidence:

brainstorming rooms

Explanation:
A possibility?

Reference: http://www.consignia.com/thelab/creativity_sessions/
Reference: http://www.economist.com/surveys/showsurvey.cfm?issue=199709...

desiderata (X)
Native speaker of:

English

4 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +4

think tanks

Michael McWilliam
United States
Local time: 03:53
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 4

Grading comment

Thanks very much for your suggestions!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)

agree

silfilla: yes, of course

3 mins

-> thx,;)

agree

swisstell

5 mins

-> thx

agree

Steffen Walter

31 mins

-> thx

agree

Sonia Soros

39 mins

-> thx

neutral

David Moore (X): Thought this was the group of thinkers???

43 mins

neutral

Victor Dewsbery: With David: a "think tank" is a committee. Your "thinking cells" might work better. Or "individual offices in which the theoretical physicists can do their thinking".

1 hr

neutral

Bjørn Anthun: that would be the research group itself, but not their scientific workplace, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Think_tanks // It's a group of people or a company (an idea-producing organization), not a description of the place where the thinking occurs

3 hrs

-> it can be both;http://www.hyperdictionary.com/search.aspx?define=think tank

5 hrs confidence:

think clink

Explanation:
Just for the fun of it. There appears to be an element of humorous word play here based on the word cell,so lets keep it. Or how about `brain brig´ if it`s intended for a US readership.

Frosty
Local time: 11:53
Native speaker of: English

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Denkzellen

English translation: think tanks

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