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  3. Law (general)

untersagt

English translation: banned

10:10 Mar 25, 2009
German to English translations [Non-PRO]
Bus/Financial - Law (general) / Trademarks
German term or phrase: untersagt
I just wanted to check that my understanding of this sentence was correct:
"Firma XYZ untersagt Verwendung der Marke ABC."

Am I right in thinking that this means "Company XYZ *bans* use of the trademark ABC"?
Is there any other possible interpretation?

I hesitate because this is the title of a text in which describes how company XYZ *is banned* from using the trademark, so I wondered if I had misunderstood the heading.

Thank you!
Catherine Winzer
Germany
Local time: 13:16
English translation:banned
Explanation:
Your reading of the title is absolutely correct, and my wife, a GNS points out that as a headline, it has been abbreviated. Strictly speaking, it should also include "von Firma LMN" as the agent performing the banning, but this is not "de rigueur". Provided that the "Bezüge" in the text itself are correct, there is nothing wrong with the headline.

This is another of those instances where context (as you have given) is so vital, as without it, it can definitely be read either way. The other way of reading it should strictly include the name of the company for whom the use was banned. There again, the context would have made that clear.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 52 mins (2009-03-25 11:02:32 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

So your "Company XYZ *bans*.." is in fact not correct, as you go on to explain.....sorry, but I didn't explain that too well myself, did I:..
Selected response from:

David Moore (X)
Local time: 13:16
Grading comment
Thanks, everyone. David, I'm giving you the points as I found your comments the most helpful. My thanks to both you and your wife! This was the meaning I wanted to give the sentence, but I was struggling to see the logic in it. It was the abbreviated form that had me confused.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +3XYZ prohibited from using
Amy Billing
5 +1banned
David Moore (X)
4 +1Firma XYZ untersagt Verwendung der Marke ABC.
Dr. Linnea Franssen


  

Answers


7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Firma XYZ untersagt Verwendung der Marke ABC.


Explanation:
The translation of the sentence ("Firma XYZ untersagt Verwendung der Marke ABC.") is correct.
However, since it is a contradiction to the rest of the text maybe they chose the wrong title...?

Cheers

Linnéa




Dr. Linnea Franssen
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:16
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 4
Notes to answerer
Asker: Yes, that's what I'm wondering. Thanks, Linnéa!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Lucy Brooks: I think it would be worth seeking clarification from the client.
15 mins
neutral  Helen Shiner: But this doesn't offer a translation - perhaps it should be in the discussion section?
17 mins
neutral  Derek Gill Franßen: Headings behave strangely sometimes; it would be more clear if "Firma" was preceded by "der" or "die," but since it is not, we cannot be sure. I agree that clarification should be sought from the client. =)
54 mins
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13 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +3
XYZ prohibited from using


Explanation:
jdm etwas untersagen = to prohibit sb from doing sth

Especially bearing in mind the rest of your text, this means XYZ is prohibited from using the trademark ABC

Amy Billing
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:16
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Helen Shiner
12 mins
  -> Thanks Helen
agree  Rayne Trans: Since the title is still contradicting the text, I would definitely ask back.
24 mins
neutral  David Moore (X): While this is correct, an explanation would have been so helpful...
40 mins
  -> Thanks David - sorry, I thought my showing of the German construction 'jdm etw. untersagen' explained how I got to this but I'll add more detail in future.
agree  Harald Moelzer (medical-translator)
1 hr
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50 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
banned


Explanation:
Your reading of the title is absolutely correct, and my wife, a GNS points out that as a headline, it has been abbreviated. Strictly speaking, it should also include "von Firma LMN" as the agent performing the banning, but this is not "de rigueur". Provided that the "Bezüge" in the text itself are correct, there is nothing wrong with the headline.

This is another of those instances where context (as you have given) is so vital, as without it, it can definitely be read either way. The other way of reading it should strictly include the name of the company for whom the use was banned. There again, the context would have made that clear.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 52 mins (2009-03-25 11:02:32 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

So your "Company XYZ *bans*.." is in fact not correct, as you go on to explain.....sorry, but I didn't explain that too well myself, did I:..

David Moore (X)
Local time: 13:16
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 328
Grading comment
Thanks, everyone. David, I'm giving you the points as I found your comments the most helpful. My thanks to both you and your wife! This was the meaning I wanted to give the sentence, but I was struggling to see the logic in it. It was the abbreviated form that had me confused.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  David Williams
8 mins
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