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sozialer Besitzstand
wohl doch nicht
Apr 26, 2015 12:54
9 yrs ago
German term

Sitzposition ..... vergeben

German to English Bus/Financial Business/Commerce (general)
In a PowerPoint presentation giving guidance about how to be an effective negotiator. I have put a couple of the points that follow for more context.

Title: Schwierige Verhandlungen – Hinweise zum Verhalten

- "Versuchen Sie die Sitzposition vor der Verhandlung zu vergeben."
- Bauen Sie eine Beziehung auf (!).
- Abwarten hat nichts mit Führung zu tun, sondern geschieht meist aus Angst (put the fish on the table).
- Immer freundlich bleiben!
- Gemeinsamkeiten betonen.
- Verhalten Sie sich respektvoll.

I would have thought this meant our negotiator should arrange the seating to his/her advantage before the meeting, but I would have thought that the plural would be used "SitzpositionEN ..... zu vergeben".
Proposed translations (English)
4 arrange the seating
3 +3 making seating arrangements
3 +2 plan the seating order

Discussion

Ramey Rieger (X) Apr 26, 2015:
@Elizabeth The last is most likely, and yes, consult the client. As amusing as the phrase is, it is English only in word, but certainly not in deed.
Elizabeth Niklewska (asker) Apr 26, 2015:
Fisch auf den Tisch ... Would a German audience be familiar with the phrase - in either English (as it already was in my original text) or in German? I think this is an Italian saying. Googling it in English comes up with some more relevant hits (e.g. about management) but German comes up with culinary sites. I will have to flag this up to the client. I guess the German native speaker who presumably wrote this thinks the English sounds cool without really thinking about it too much.
Ramey Rieger (X) Apr 26, 2015:
@Elizabeth Unless you're looking to confuse or amuse your audience, do not leave that phrase as it is. As Michael said 'Put your cards on the table' or 'Play with an open hand' or 'Be perfectly open/honest/candid' or 'Come directly to the point' or or or... but for heaven's sake DO NOT put the fish on the table!
Elizabeth Niklewska (asker) Apr 26, 2015:
Fishy issues Hmm, maybe you are right. I will leave the phrase, but put a short additional explanation, maybe "dealing with issues openly"
philgoddard Apr 26, 2015:
Thanks for your explanation, Michael. It makes perfect sense in the context. I don't think you should leave it as it stands, Elizabeth.
Michael Martin, MA Apr 26, 2015:
Fisch auf den Tisch The source below seems to provide a good explanation. Putting one's cards on the table or having a frank discussion about a difficult issue..

https://books.google.de/books?id=5rURvzQujDAC&pg=PA157&lpg=P...
Elizabeth Niklewska (asker) Apr 26, 2015:
Tony! Yes, that is correct, but as the phrase is already in English and comes from a third language (not German or English) I have simply left it. I presume this has been mentioned in another presentation or the speaker may elaborate.
TonyTK Apr 26, 2015:
Who knew? - "Put the fish on the table." The analogy comes from Sicily where the fishermen put their bloody catch on a large table to clean it together. They work through the messy job and are rewarded by a great fish dinner at the end of the day. -
Elizabeth Niklewska (asker) Apr 26, 2015:
Not my phrase Hey it's not my phrase!!!
philgoddard Apr 26, 2015:
"Put the fish on the table"?

Proposed translations

21 hrs
Selected

arrange the seating

Directs you to physically arrange the furniture to your advantage before the participants enter the room - standard advice in negotiating manuals.
Peer comment(s):
disagree Thomas Pfann : Sorry, but this is definitely not what the German text says. The verb "vergeben" makes clear that this is not about arranging furniture but about deciding who sits where.
9 hrs
agree Lancashireman : TP's objection is over-literal. I also take this to mean 'arrange where everyone sits'.
13 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks for confirming my initial thoughts. "
+3
20 mins

making seating arrangements

Powerpoints are often riddled with similar errors. In this case, it's also possible they decided on the singular on purpose for added emphasis.
Peer comment(s):
agree philgoddard : Probably.
24 mins
agree Donald Jacobson
26 mins
agree BrigitteHilgner
2 hrs
disagree gangels (X) : That really means "making sure that seating is available", not the question here
23 hrs
It means everybody knows where to sit in my book..
agree Thomas Pfann
1 day 6 hrs
Something went wrong...
+2
1 hr

plan the seating order

If you want it in the singular.
Peer comment(s):
agree gangels (X)
22 hrs
Thanks, gangels
agree Thomas Pfann
1 day 5 hrs
Many thanks, Thomas. Pity its too late!
Something went wrong...
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