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debería profesar con mayor claridad una armonía entre

English translation: ought to commit itself more clearly to striking a balance between

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:debería profesar con mayor claridad una armonía entre
English translation:ought to commit itself more clearly to striking a balance between
Entered by: Charles Davis

10:10 Sep 27, 2013
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Transport / Transportation / Shipping
Spanish term or phrase: debería profesar con mayor claridad una armonía entre
From a text about ALE, European Train Drivers' Trade Union, for a EU forum.

De ahí que la Comisión debería profesar con mayor claridad una armonía entre la apertura de mercados y unas condiciones de trabajo adecuadas, no pudiendo permitir que sea el mercado, sin más, el que se encargue.

Any suggestions much appreciated.
Thanks.
Marian Martin (X)
Spain
Local time: 18:51
ought to commit itself more clearly to striking a balance between
Explanation:
I have been toying with posting something like this and have finally decided to do so. The real problem here, for me, is "profesar": what exactly does it mean here?

It seems to me that "profesar" cannot refer to what the Commission ought to be doing, though certain actions will follow from what it "professes". "Profesar" really means declaring one's commitment to certain values, especially, though not only, to a religious faith. I think the root meaning, in terms of the DRAE definitions, is probably "4. creer, confesar. Profesar un principio, una doctrina, una religión", though "3. ejercer algo con inclinación voluntaria y continuación en ello. Profesar amistad, el mahometismo" is also relevant, I think. In other words, it is embracing something openly and in a sustained manner.

Since I don't think "profess" really works in English here, I am led to the idea of commit oneself, in the sense of "nailing one's colours to the mast". "Con mayor claridad" seems to me to imply manifesting something publicly; to that extent I agree with Neil's "express", though I don't think that's quite the right word. I'd suggest "commit itself more clearly to", with "make a clearer commitment to" as a possible alternative.

For the rest, obviously "should" or "ought to" would do equally well; I've used "ought to" partly to avoid duplicating Neil's "should", but neither seems clearly preferable to me.

As for "armonía", I think Robert's "reconciling" is a very good idea, and I would have used it myself, but again I didn't want to duplicate another answer. "Striking a balance" seems to me a reasonable alternative.
Selected response from:

Charles Davis
Spain
Local time: 18:51
Grading comment
Thank you!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +2needs to do a better job of reconciling
Robert Forstag
4 +1ought to commit itself more clearly to striking a balance between
Charles Davis
3should express the balance between X and Y more clearly
Neil Ashby


  

Answers


15 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
should express the balance between X and Y more clearly


Explanation:
You could use tens of synonyms for "express", claim, state, specify, assert, affirm, declare, etc....

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 19 mins (2013-09-27 10:30:07 GMT)
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should express the balance/synergy between the opening of the (labour) market and working conditions more clearly, to avoid that the market is uniquely responsible (for this).

Neil Ashby
Spain
Local time: 18:51
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 26
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Neil, this is definitely it :)

Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
needs to do a better job of reconciling


Explanation:
De ahí que la Comisión debería profesar con mayor claridad una armonía entre la apertura de mercados y unas condiciones de trabajo adecuadas, no pudiendo permitir que sea el mercado, sin más, el que se encargue.
=
And this is why the Commission needs to do a better job of reconciling a respect for open markets and the need for proper working conditions, and why it should not leave the market to function unfettered.

"Needs to do a better job of reconciling" seems to express the writer's intention here. When there are two or more competing needs, one generally speaks of "reconciling" them rather than "expressing the balance" between them.

Suerte.

Robert Forstag
United States
Local time: 12:51
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 20
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, Robert. Concept is clearly expressed but the wording may be a bit informal for the intended audience :)


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  philgoddard: Good idea.
34 mins
  -> Thank you, Phil.
agree  Emiliano Pantoja
1 day 1 hr
  -> Gracias, Emiliano.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

7 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
ought to commit itself more clearly to striking a balance between


Explanation:
I have been toying with posting something like this and have finally decided to do so. The real problem here, for me, is "profesar": what exactly does it mean here?

It seems to me that "profesar" cannot refer to what the Commission ought to be doing, though certain actions will follow from what it "professes". "Profesar" really means declaring one's commitment to certain values, especially, though not only, to a religious faith. I think the root meaning, in terms of the DRAE definitions, is probably "4. creer, confesar. Profesar un principio, una doctrina, una religión", though "3. ejercer algo con inclinación voluntaria y continuación en ello. Profesar amistad, el mahometismo" is also relevant, I think. In other words, it is embracing something openly and in a sustained manner.

Since I don't think "profess" really works in English here, I am led to the idea of commit oneself, in the sense of "nailing one's colours to the mast". "Con mayor claridad" seems to me to imply manifesting something publicly; to that extent I agree with Neil's "express", though I don't think that's quite the right word. I'd suggest "commit itself more clearly to", with "make a clearer commitment to" as a possible alternative.

For the rest, obviously "should" or "ought to" would do equally well; I've used "ought to" partly to avoid duplicating Neil's "should", but neither seems clearly preferable to me.

As for "armonía", I think Robert's "reconciling" is a very good idea, and I would have used it myself, but again I didn't want to duplicate another answer. "Striking a balance" seems to me a reasonable alternative.

Charles Davis
Spain
Local time: 18:51
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 112
Grading comment
Thank you!
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, Charles, this is a perfect translation :)


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Phoenix III
2 days 2 hrs
  -> Thanks, Phoenix :)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



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