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  3. Business/Commerce (general)

[...] bis in die unterste Ebene, kommen nicht mehr mit.

English translation: are not able to keep up

06:38 Jun 14, 2019
German to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Business/Commerce (general)
German term or phrase: [...] bis in die unterste Ebene, kommen nicht mehr mit.
Hi everyone, I'm sure this isn't the first time that an ambiguous, apparently ungrammatical sentence has furrowed a translator's brow. Read on:

"In den obersten Ebenen werden die Strukturen geschaffen, die operativen Bereiche, bis in die unterste Ebene, kommen nicht mehr mit."

It is a response to an internal survey of employees at a large group of manufacturing companies operating under a parent company which is making some changes. There is the sense that decisions being made at the top don't percolate down the the reality on the ground. But what exactly is it that doesn't come along ("kommen nicht mehr mit")? Does the writer mean operative areas ("operative bereiche") as part of management or part of the lower levels?

Any insight would be much appreciated.
Juchi Pratt
English translation:are not able to keep up
Explanation:
'nicht mehr mitkommen' means to not be able to keep up with something - possibly with an element of 'to not understand something'

At the top they come up with [ideas for new] structures but the operative and lower levels are not able to keep up [with the changes].
Selected response from:

Thomas Pfann
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:12
Grading comment
Whether the employees "night mehr mitkommen" in the sense of "can't keep up" or "aren't fully informed," I think is the most suitable answer because, as Michael pointed out, maybe they can't keep up because they're bogged down with unforeseen consequences on the ground. Either way it works.

Thanks and enjoy your weekend, everybody!
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +3are not able to keep up
Thomas Pfann
4....don't come across to the lowest level
Claudia Hoffmann
3haven't got a clue.
Ramey Rieger (X)
3[...] (all the way) down to the lowest level, are left behind.
D. I. Verrelli


  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
....don't come across to the lowest level


Explanation:
Hi Juchi,

As I understand the sentence, decisions are taken at the top level of a company however, they do not come across to the lowest level.

Claudia Hoffmann
Germany
Local time: 13:12
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 8
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
haven't got a clue.


Explanation:
(Literal) The executive level creates the structures without ensuring they are exercised throughout the operative level to the lowest employee (man).
(Freely) Decision-makers decide how things should work, but the rest of the employees haven't got a clue.

Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Local time: 13:12
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 70
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
kommen nicht mehr mit
are not able to keep up


Explanation:
'nicht mehr mitkommen' means to not be able to keep up with something - possibly with an element of 'to not understand something'

At the top they come up with [ideas for new] structures but the operative and lower levels are not able to keep up [with the changes].

Thomas Pfann
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:12
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 10
Grading comment
Whether the employees "night mehr mitkommen" in the sense of "can't keep up" or "aren't fully informed," I think is the most suitable answer because, as Michael pointed out, maybe they can't keep up because they're bogged down with unforeseen consequences on the ground. Either way it works.

Thanks and enjoy your weekend, everybody!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Steffen Walter: ... although I'd use "operating" or "operational".
9 mins
neutral  Ramey Rieger (X): Drawing my experience in the field, it usually infers they aren't really informed, or only vaguely.
56 mins
agree  Michael Martin, MA: Yes, operations departments can't keep up because they have to deall with all the forseen and unforseen practical implications
3 hrs
agree  IngePreiss
1 day 4 hrs
neutral  D. I. Verrelli: The "operational staff all the way down to the lowest level" — not "operative and lower levels". Perhaps "are left behind" would also work as a less-judgemental alternative to "are not able to keep up".
18 days
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18 days   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
[...] (all the way) down to the lowest level, are left behind.


Explanation:
Alternative translation of the indicated source term, with a somewhat different connotation.

* "haven't got a clue" reflects quite negatively on the operations staff (down to the lowest level)
* "are not able to keep up" is ambivalent, but for me reflects more negatively on the operations staff (down to the lowest level)
* "don't come across" is fairly neutral, but for me reflects more negatively on the executive staff making the decisions
* "are left behind" reflects more negatively on the executive staff making the decisions, in the sense of an obligation on managers to "bring their staff with them".

"This session will explore the ways in which you can overcome these barriers, helping you begin to formulate a plan for inclusion in your organisation and how you can bring your staff with you on this journey."
https://www.stonewall.org.uk/scotland-workplace-conference-p...

"Automation is positive, bring your staff with you, let them be advocates, let them be champions."
https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/about-us/ca-catalyst...

So maybe yet another alternative would be:
"[...] (all the way) down to the lowest level, are not brought along."
which likewise emphasises the responsibility of the executives that has not been met.

This latter formulation also offers the option to explicitly translate "mehr":
"[...] (all the way) down to the lowest level, are no longer brought along."

D. I. Verrelli
Australia
Local time: 21:12
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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