dem Selbstzweck dienen

English translation: that fulfil a specific function/explicit function

09:51 Dec 1, 2014
German to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Business/Commerce (general)
German term or phrase: dem Selbstzweck dienen
Alle diese von externen Prüfgesellschaften ausgestellen Zertifikate sind Zeichen für strikt eingehaltene Produktrichtlinien und Komponentenvorgaben die nicht einem Selbstzweck dienen.
Claudia Hoffmann
Germany
Local time: 16:23
English translation:that fulfil a specific function/explicit function
Explanation:
Better to say what they do, rather than what they do not do.

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Note added at 1 hr (2014-12-01 11:09:37 GMT)
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"an" before explicit function, of course

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2014-12-01 11:26:45 GMT)
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Something like:
"...that fulfil an explicit function in indicating/certifying strict compliance with product guidelines and component specifications."
Selected response from:

Yorkshireman
Germany
Local time: 16:23
Grading comment
Thanks very much.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +3end in itself
Maija Cirule
3 +4that fulfil a specific function/explicit function
Yorkshireman
4which don't serve any goals in themselves
Andrew Bramhall
4and are objective
David Hollywood
3they are not superfluous
Ramey Rieger (X)
3which are anything but self-serving
gangels (X)
2more than a pro forma gesture
Jonathan MacKerron


  

Answers


8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
end in itself


Explanation:
..

Example sentence(s):
  • Economic growth is not an end in itself
Maija Cirule
Latvia
Local time: 17:23
Native speaker of: Latvian

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  AllegroTrans: ends in themselves?
49 mins

neutral  Andrew Bramhall: Has to be in the plural;
1 hr

agree  philgoddard: Themselves.
4 hrs

agree  SuzukiBandit
4 hrs

agree  Alan Henry (X)
4 hrs
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14 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
they are not superfluous


Explanation:
Without further context, it seems they are justifying the validity/necessity of the certificates. IF this is the case -

they are not merely decoration
they serve a definite purpose

Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Local time: 16:23
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 70
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
which don't serve any goals in themselves


Explanation:
..but which are part of a wider, overall plan;

Andrew Bramhall
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:23
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
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31 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +4
nicht einem Selbstzweck dienen
that fulfil a specific function/explicit function


Explanation:
Better to say what they do, rather than what they do not do.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2014-12-01 11:09:37 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

"an" before explicit function, of course

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2014-12-01 11:26:45 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Something like:
"...that fulfil an explicit function in indicating/certifying strict compliance with product guidelines and component specifications."

Yorkshireman
Germany
Local time: 16:23
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 32
Grading comment
Thanks very much.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  AllegroTrans: yes, this makes the phrase clear and English-sounding
27 mins
  -> Thanks, AT

agree  franglish
5 hrs
  -> THX

agree  Ramey Rieger (X)
6 hrs
  -> THX2U2

agree  SuzukiBandit
21 hrs
  -> Thank you
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
more than a pro forma gesture


Explanation:
another approach

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Note added at 3 hrs (2014-12-01 13:20:25 GMT)
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'are not ends unto themselves', but would need more exact contact to confirm the required tone.

Jonathan MacKerron
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 156
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8 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
which are anything but self-serving


Explanation:
Not to boost the individual's case, or promote his narrow self-interest

gangels (X)
Local time: 09:23
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 219
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16 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
and are objective


Explanation:
I would say

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Note added at 16 hrs (2014-12-02 01:59:22 GMT)
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came in on this late but that's the meaning

David Hollywood
Local time: 12:23
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 254
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