This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
old-fashioned lobsters
geoscience
Nov 24, 2004 10:47
19 yrs ago
3 viewers *
English term

none of whom is backward in coming forward

English Other Poetry & Literature
This relates to the list of people in the Acknowledgements part of the book.

x,y,z (none of whom...) have been helping me...

In this context I understand it as "the order of appearance does not matter, they all deserve equal appreciation". Am I right? Thank you.
Responses
4 +4 none of whom has been reluctant to help
5 +7 have not hesitated/have not been shy
4 -1 none of these people are especially known for their modesty
3 not introverts

Discussion

Refugio Nov 25, 2004:
I would disagree that there is any sarcasm or mocking here ... simply gratitude that people stepped up to the plate and offered their services.
Non-ProZ.com Nov 24, 2004:
CJM_Trans - Thank you! With everyone's help (and thank God none of you is backward in coming forward:-), I should be looking for a Russian equivalent for 'shy' with some mocking. Well, this would be my job. The greatest problem, as usual, is to choose a winner. I'm coming to London tomorrow for Oxford Conv. and some sight-seeing - any chance for a round of coffee or beer?:-)
CMJ_Trans (X) Nov 24, 2004:
... while insinuating that he is giving a free "plug" to people who are used to plugging themselves !
CMJ_Trans (X) Nov 24, 2004:
I used pushy to make a point. He is gently mocking them for their "loud" outgoing personalities. He thanks them .....
Non-ProZ.com Nov 24, 2004:
Into Russian Yes and no - the notion is the most sincere gratitude, no teasing, but the author mentions that those people have influenced him so I have a reason to believe that they must have strong opinions and developed attitudes towards the subject matter (corporate governance). However I would not go as far as "pushy". The register is more about the admiration of their professionalism.
CMJ_Trans (X) Nov 24, 2004:
what language is this to be translated into? Maybe a translation would help
CMJ_Trans (X) Nov 24, 2004:
NOT "reluctant" for the phrase refers to their personalities - they are PUSHY people
Aisha Maniar Nov 24, 2004:
Yes, I have said that it describes their attitude/personalities. They might have done the same for anyone.
Non-ProZ.com Nov 24, 2004:
I thought about 'reluctant' and williness to help. The reason for my doubts (and maybe they are totaly ungrounded) is the present tense - the book is already written and these people have done their job. So should it be "were backward" instead? Or does the author simply emphasize their "permanent qualities" regardless of the time?

Responses

+4
6 mins
Selected

none of whom has been reluctant to help

I think that's what it means
is backward --> in the sense of "is reluctant"
coming forward --> offering to help

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 17 mins (2004-11-24 11:04:09 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Yes, I think you\'re right about their \"permanent qualities\" - they are the type of persons who are always willing to help.
Peer comment(s):
agree Tony M : Yes, they have been keen, eager even, to help...
1 hr
agree Klaus Hartmann
1 hr
agree Alexander Demyanov
4 hrs
agree Refugio
1 day 6 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you, Nesrin! It was very hard to choose the winner, so I went by the book - Nesrin's suggestion, "reluctant" is in fact the closest to the Russian equivalent I chose based on the spirit of the entire chapter. And she was the first to answer. Thank you very much, Aisha, CMJ_Trans and Charlie!"
+7
7 mins

have not hesitated/have not been shy

they have not refrained from helping. They have been quite open, welcoming and forthright in the help they have provided. That's what it means. It's not about any type of order. It refers to their attitude in helping the author.
Peer comment(s):
agree Orla Ryan : exactly.
9 mins
thank you, Orla
agree Tony M : Precisely!
1 hr
thank you
agree Johanne Bouthillier
1 hr
thank you
agree Alexander Demyanov
4 hrs
thank you
agree Saleh Chowdhury, Ph.D.
15 hrs
agree Lisa Frideborg Eddy (X)
23 hrs
agree Refugio
1 day 6 hrs
Something went wrong...
-1
8 mins

none of these people are especially known for their modesty

it means that thanks are extended to a list of people, none of whom are blushing violets - in other words all are strong personalities not known for their discretion and timidity. It is a little sarcastic but not offensive

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2004-11-24 11:10:20 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

It is a fairly polite (tonug-in-check\" way of saying they are PUSHY people. They do not need anyone else to publicise their qualities - they are quite self-publicising enough, thank you!

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2004-11-24 11:11:32 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

tongue in check - typo

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2004-11-24 11:32:22 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

If you say of a child, for example, he\'s not backwards in coming forward, you mean that this is no quiet unassuming child who waits until he is asked before talking but one that volunteers comments unbidden, at times when when his parents would rather he held his tongue
Peer comment(s):
agree Aisha Maniar : you're right about the inoffensive sarcasm :-)
10 mins
neutral Nesrin : In this context, I see nothing pushy or lacking modesty about the personalities of this people. They don't come forward to publicise their qualities - but to help others. This is meant as a praise, not as a tongue-in-cheek criticism IMHO
54 mins
disagree Tony M : I agree with Nesrin's comment --- there is nothing in the context given that suggests this is necessarily 'negative' in connotation, though that may sometimes be the case with this expression..
1 hr
I said "tongue-in-cheek" - it means not slow in bowing their own trumpets
disagree Refugio : Not being bashful is not the same as lacking modesty, being pushy or blowing one's own horn...on the contrary, they come forward to help, not to compete
1 day 6 hrs
Something went wrong...
1 hr

not introverts

It's a good piece of English understatement. To be backward in coming forward is basically to be somewhat introverted, to not seek out the limelight, to not look to push oneself to the fore or draw attention to oneself.
So, to *not* be backward in coming forward is, obviously, literally simply to not be like that. Which means that, literally, a person who is not an introvert could just be 'normal', not necessarily an extrovert.
HOWEVER, the English style used here is such that 'extrovert' (and similar suggestions from others) is precisely what is meant.
It's in a similar vein to, e.g. I was not exactly overjoyed = I was very p*ssed off indeed
Something went wrong...
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search