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Brückenfahrweg

Glossary entry

German term or phrase:

darum bekennt er sich dazu

English translation:

he recognizes his responsibility

Added to glossary by Timoshka
Jun 18, 2021 05:34
2 yrs ago
41 viewers *
German term

darum bekennt er sich dazu

German to English Social Sciences General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters History
The beginning of a letter, handwritten in 1904 in Vevey, Switzerland:

"Geliebte – teilt meine Freude über dieses Telegram. Welche Sorge ist wieder von mir abgenommen, da ich die letzten Monaten doch wieder die alleinige Verantwortung fürs Haus fühlte, spec. die letzten Wochen, wo ich Дренев [=Drenew] das ev[entuelle] Schliessen bis März nahelegen musste. Nun, Gott sei dank – es ist eben Seine Sache und darum bekennt er sich dazu."

The writer was in charge of a workers' house on Sakhalin Island in the far east of Russia, and apparently was overwhelmed with the responsibilities involved..."especially the last few weeks, when I had to suggest to Drenew the possible closing by/until March. Now, thanks be to God - it is just his concern, and..." ???

Also, does "Seine Sache" refer to "Drenew's concern" or "God's concern"? I can't figure out why "Seine" was capitalized! It could well be a writing error... I assume the "er" in "darum bekennt er sich dazu" refers to Drenew, since it would be "Er" if it were a reference to God.
Proposed translations (English)
3 he recognizes his responsibility
4 as it is his business that is why he accepts responsibility
3 and he accepts/acknowledges/realizes that
Change log

Jun 18, 2021 08:44: writeaway changed "Field (write-in)" from "(none)" to "History"

Discussion

Gordon Matthews Jun 18, 2021:
You're on the right lines! I'm tempted to post an answer, but that would not be fair to you, Elisabeth and Ramey, who deserve any points which may be had. My answer would be: "Now, thank God, he (Drenew) recognises that it is his business." Alternatively: "Now, thank God, it is indeed his business, so he acknowledges that."
Ramey Rieger (X) Jun 18, 2021:
OR Perhaps Drenew is his superior? In this case, it is quite possible that the author uses capitalization as an expression of respect. I do believe that was common at the time (still is for the formal Sie/Seine/Ihre....)
Elisabeth Kissel Jun 18, 2021:
Hi I would spontaneously connect 'Seine Sache' with Drenew, despite the capitalized 's'. I think the 'darum' can't really be read any differently. If this is correct, the first part of the sentence would mean something along the lines of: "After all, it was D's concern (or enterprise or idea) in the first place, and now he is (finally) assuming the responsibility for it."
Ramey Rieger (X) Jun 18, 2021:
Good morning Timoshka! Are there any other references to God in the text that might clear up the issue? Er/Ihn/Ihm?
If you were to turn it around:
Thanks be to God, Drenew admits the need/concedes/ assumes responsibility and (now) it is in God's hands.

Proposed translations

3 hrs
Selected

he recognizes his responsibility

Considering the capitalization is mostly likely formal language, there are so many ways to do it AND keep the temporal tone:

Thanks be to God, he recognizes that it is ultimately his responsibility.
...it is ultimately his responsibility and he now recognizes this/ is willing to assume it/accepts it....
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Vielen herzlichen Dank, Ramey Rieger!"
13 hrs

and he accepts/acknowledges/realizes that

now it is up to him and he accepts/acknowledges/realizes that
Something went wrong...
18 hrs

as it is his business that is why he accepts responsibility

He most certainly means it is "Drenew's concern" but the 'Seine' seems capitalized by mistake. German is not that easy after all. In essence, it is the business of Drenew and the author acknowledges that.
Something went wrong...
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