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  3. Idioms / Maxims / Sayings

mit sich und der Welt anfangen

English translation: yours is fine

14:40 Jun 5, 2009
German to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Idioms / Maxims / Sayings / idiom
German term or phrase: mit sich und der Welt anfangen
This is still from my hotel website. This section is discussing giving hotel vouchers as gifts. Not sure what's meant by this idiom:

Mit dieser besonderen Geste des Schenkens werden Sie die verschiedenartigsten Persönlichkeiten erfreuen können. Oder können Sie sich jemanden vorstellen, der in unserem Haus **mit sich und der Welt nichts anzufangen** wüsste?

I'm assuming it means "who wouldn't be thrilled to bits by the chance to stay in our hotel" - but I'd appreciate confirmation or contradiction that I've understood it correctly as I've not come across this phrase before.

Many thanks!
Claire Cox
United Kingdom
Local time: 19:51
English translation:yours is fine
Explanation:
you have simply understood the idiom correctly and rendered it loosely and fittingly for a marketing context
Selected response from:

Stephen Sadie
Germany
Local time: 20:51
Grading comment
Thanks Stephen. I have stuck with my initial translation in the end because I feel it best reflects the image the hoteliers are trying to get across and fits best with the rest of the text (which of course nobody but me has seen....). My brief here was to translate "nach poetischem Stil", so toning the sense down by turning the phrase round just wouldn't work, and artistic licence is called for... Thanks also to Friderike for providing a standard definition of the phrase for future reference.
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +6After all, we offer something for everybody here
Colin Rowe
4 +1yours is fine
Stephen Sadie
3 +2here: wouldn't be able to find something to do
Friderike Butler
4who wouldn't know what to do with himself (in our hotel/here)
mary austria


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
yours is fine


Explanation:
you have simply understood the idiom correctly and rendered it loosely and fittingly for a marketing context

Stephen Sadie
Germany
Local time: 20:51
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 56
Grading comment
Thanks Stephen. I have stuck with my initial translation in the end because I feel it best reflects the image the hoteliers are trying to get across and fits best with the rest of the text (which of course nobody but me has seen....). My brief here was to translate "nach poetischem Stil", so toning the sense down by turning the phrase round just wouldn't work, and artistic licence is called for... Thanks also to Friderike for providing a standard definition of the phrase for future reference.
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Stephen (and Andrew for the link) - I am sorely tempted, I must say....


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Lirka: I think it is not spot on; it's not about how the guest feels about staying in the hotel, but what the hotel has to offer ( not matter whether the guests share the feeling)--don't attack me for this last comment, it is half a joke
3 hrs
agree  Lancashireman: If I were the asker, I would find it hard to resist giving this answer/endorsement the full four points. http://www.sosuave.com/quick/tip16.htm
4 hrs
  -> nice link, andrew
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7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
here: wouldn't be able to find something to do


Explanation:
mit sich und der Welt nichts anfangen können = bored to oblivion = you can't think of anything to do (for yourself with the things that are available to you)

To make it sound appealing and getting away from using a negative image in a marketing piece for a nice hotel go the the other direction -> anyone can find something to do in this setting

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 10 mins (2009-06-05 14:51:14 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

... or can you think of someone who wouldn't be able to have a wonderful time at this hotel?


Friderike Butler
United States
Local time: 14:51
Native speaker of: German
PRO pts in category: 8

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Ingeborg Gowans (X): ich glaube,. das trifft es am bestten; wie Colin Rowe schon sagte,"accentuate the positive"; eliminate the negative" as the German text seems to do
40 mins
  -> Thanks, Ingeborg :-)
agree  Barbara Wiebking
47 mins
  -> Thanks, kriddl
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14 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
who wouldn't know what to do with himself (in our hotel/here)


Explanation:
My version.

mary austria
Local time: 20:51
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Colin Rowe: So where's the aluminium foil?! ;-)
2 mins
  -> ON MY HEAD! That's why you didn't beat me to the punch on this one!!!
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10 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +6
After all, we offer something for everybody here


Explanation:
Turning it around completely...

The idea is that everyone would find something (appealing) to do here. Activities (?) for every taste are on offer.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 17 mins (2009-06-05 14:58:44 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

In the absence of activities, leave it vague:

"After all, there is something for everybody here"


Colin Rowe
Germany
Local time: 20:51
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 63

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Armorel Young: yes, it's better turned round like that
15 mins
  -> Many thanks!
agree  Jalapeno: I like it.
32 mins
  -> Thanks!
agree  Lirka: Yes, that's shorter und clearer. And that's what English is about. :)
3 hrs
  -> Thanks!
agree  Sabine Akabayov, PhD
4 hrs
  -> Thanks!
agree  Lonnie Legg: I'll go with the crowd here re eliminating the negative.
6 hrs
  -> Thanks!
agree  Textklick
9 hrs
  -> Thanks!
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