Beschreibung der Last

English translation: Passing the torch—not bemoaning the effort

12:04 Mar 1, 2016

German to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Philosophy / motto for values

German term or phrase: Beschreibung der Last

This phrase is given as a company's motto for its relationship with future generations & how it plans to keep its values alive:

"Weitergabe des Feuers, nicht Beschreibung der Last"

I've found a similar quote, attributed to various different people, depending on where you look (and with slight variations):

"Tradition ist Bewahrung des Feuers und nicht Anbetung der Asche"

So far I've got: "Passing the torch, not describing the burden" - but I'm not at all happy with the second part. I just don't get the connection between 'Feuer' and 'Last'.

Does anyone know if this quote exists, or have any helpful suggestions on how to translate it?

Many thanks in advance.

Julia Burgess KudoZ activity Questions: 25 (1 open) (2 without valid answers) (4 closed without grading) Answers: 86 United Kingdom
Local time: 05:14

English translation:Passing the torch—not bemoaning the effort

Explanation:
xxxxx

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Note added at 3 hrs (2016-03-01 15:57:05 GMT)
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or: ....without bemoaning its effort.

The Beschreibung in this case appears to be more an act of plaintive whining rather than a matter-of-fact description

Selected response from:

gangels (X)
Local time: 22:14

Grading comment

Many thanks for your suggestion.

I eventually went with "Passing the torch, not bemoaning the burden", thank you for the inspiration!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

3 +3

Passing on the torch rather than dwelling on the burden

Armorel Young

Keeping the flame alive, rather than admiring the ashes

Andrew Bramhall

Passing down fire, instead of perpetuating hardship

Ramey Rieger (X)

dwelling on the downsides

Wendy Streitparth

Passing the torch—not bemoaning the effort

gangels (X)

Discussion entries: 8

Answers

18 mins confidence:

Passing down fire, instead of perpetuating hardship

Explanation:
As fire and burden have no common metaphor, I guess you will have to change one of the elements unless the client insists on burden. Here's one attempt

Whoever it's ascribed to, the tradition of Firekeeper is ancient and native

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23318693
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firekeeper

Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Local time: 06:14
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 12

38 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +3

Passing on the torch rather than dwelling on the burden

Explanation:
Passing on the flame [of optimism] rather than dwelling on the burden.

Passing on hope rather than problems.

I think the original is simply a mixed metaphor, which makes translating it difficult.

It reminds me of "To you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high" (although I don't think that link is intended).

Armorel Young
Local time: 05:14
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 14

1 hr confidence:

Keeping the flame alive, rather than admiring the ashes

Explanation:
Keeping the flame alive = keeping the( company) traditions going, rather than talking about them in retrospect, i.e, when the embers have been extinguished and only the cold ashes remain;

Andrew Bramhall
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:14
Native speaker of:

English

1 hr confidence:

dwelling on the downsides

Explanation:
Maintaining the elan, not dwelling on the downsides.

Or

Keeping up / carrying on the elan, not dwelling on the downsides.

Wendy Streitparth
Germany
Local time: 06:14
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4

3 hrs confidence:

Passing the torch—not bemoaning the effort

gangels (X)
Local time: 22:14
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English,

German
PRO pts in category: 4

Grading comment

Many thanks for your suggestion.

I eventually went with "Passing the torch, not bemoaning the burden", thank you for the inspiration!

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English translation: Passing the torch—not bemoaning the effort

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