Ratsgebäude

English translation: town hall

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Ratsgebäude
English translation:town hall
Entered by: British Diana

08:40 May 13, 2019
German to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Government / Politics / Name for a historical building used for local administration
German term or phrase: Ratsgebäude
"Die Infovinothek in Sommerach wurde 1661-1664 als Rats- und Gerichtsgebäude errichtet. 1822 wurde das Gebäude als Schul-und Rathaus nach Plänen von Leo von Klenze im klassizistischen Stil umgebaut." My problem is that I would unthinkingly refer to this building as the "Town Hall", however this is not correct as Sommerach has never been more than a "Gemeinde" and not a town. What else could I use that would be correct and still easily understood by international tourists?
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sommerach#Geschichte
British Diana
Germany
Local time: 12:55
Town hall
Explanation:
This works fine and is easily understood.
Selected response from:

Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Local time: 12:55
Grading comment
Thank you, Ramey!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +4Town hall
Ramey Rieger (X)
4village council building
Michael Martin, MA
4 -3Council advisory building
James Swan


Discussion entries: 25





  

Answers


17 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): -3
Council advisory building


Explanation:
"Rat" also meaning "advice" , "recommendation"

James Swan
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:55
Native speaker of: English
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, James!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Ramey Rieger (X): Much too complicated for an international audience.
9 mins

neutral  Stuart and Aida Nelson: But normally the Council has no buildings in villages, at least I don't know of any near us.
1 hr

disagree  Gordon Matthews: Although "Rat" also means "advice" or "recommendation", in this context it means "council", as in a group of city/town/district councillors meeting together. In any case, I don't think one can describe a building as "advisory".
2 hrs

disagree  Glenn Brigaldino: I'm with Gordon, the 'advisory' is unwarranted. Council building would suffice literally speaking but in English it is best to say town or city hall as that is where the council (Der Rat) meets..
16 hrs

disagree  AllegroTrans: It does mean "advice" but in this context it means "council"
2 days 8 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

26 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +4
Town hall


Explanation:
This works fine and is easily understood.

Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Local time: 12:55
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 24
Grading comment
Thank you, Ramey!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Björn Vrooman: Considering Diana said it's for an international audience, I wouldn't know what else to call it. You could describe for what purpose the building was put up, e.g., as a meeting place for the council. That'd be understood as well, IMO.
26 mins
  -> Honestly, I would know either. Cheery, my dear!

agree  Mack Tillman: I second!
46 mins
  -> There's room for us all at the town hall!

agree  Stuart and Aida Nelson: I think you are right, Ramey. I can't think of a better way of describing it.
1 hr
  -> Well, we COULD say, a rather largish building where the people who ran the place worked part time. :-) Have a good one!

agree  AllegroTrans
2 days 8 hrs
  -> Thnky ye kindly, sir!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
village council building


Explanation:
Don't see anything wrong with that, whether the context is historical or modern.
https://books.google.com/books?id=rddTJGdfFz8C&pg=PA127&lpg=...

https://books.google.com/books?id=XFluDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA36&lpg=P...


Michael Martin, MA
United States
Local time: 07:55
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 76
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, Michael! This is definitely the closest translation and I will use it when talking about the Rathaus, but "town hall" is just that bit more pithy.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Stuart and Aida Nelson: There are no village council buildings here in the UK. LOL :) I don't think they exist in USA either LOL LOL/No, 3 is enough, why so serious :)?
1 hr
  -> Sorry to hear that/ I think you should add another LOL for good measure. Easily amused, or what?
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.


See also:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search