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Glossary entry

German term or phrase:

flaneur

English translation:

circulated/mingled among the guests, frequently returning to ...

Added to glossary by silfilla
Jun 25, 2005 12:57
18 yrs ago
1 viewer *
German term

flaneur

German to English Other International Org/Dev/Coop description of diplomatic reception
"Unter anderem entspannte sich, um ein wenig name dropping zu betreiben, Bundeswirtschaftsminister Wolfgang Clement in der Menge. Immer wieder ***zog es den Flaneur*** in den Ballsaal, auf dessen Bühne ein Salonorchester musizierte und Sänger russischer Lieder begleitete."

Hello all,
Do you think that the "Flaneur" referred to in the sentence above is Wolfgang Clement? Or there another meaning to this sentence that I'm missing? ("flaneur" in English is quite negative, so I'd be surprised if it was a reference to Clement, but then I don't know what else it could mean!).

Many thanks!

Hilary.
Proposed translations (English)
4 +5 circulated among the guests, frequently returning to ...
4 the stroller

Discussion

Non-ProZ.com Jun 25, 2005:
Fabulous, thank you all very much for all this help - I am travelling this week and don't have all the dictionaries I normally do, so it's much appreciated!
Sandy A Pirie Jun 25, 2005:
I'm out of space as I'm not in this race, but I meant that when ANY German uses the word 'flanieren', he/she employs the 'normal' term used for the activity since the 19th cent.; 'Flaneur' is the corresp. noun as 'Flanierender' isn't generally used.
silfilla Jun 25, 2005:
Nice explanation, Sandy ;-)
Sandy A Pirie Jun 25, 2005:
I'd advise against the use of the French word anyway as there are enough others in English for the activity - the German 'flanieren' simply suggests a degree of sophisticated elegance of attire, movement, gentle acknowledgements of a passing smile etc.
Sandy A Pirie Jun 25, 2005:
If you consider the French for the activity as explained in Collins - flanerie - 'aimless strolling or lounging' it's not so negative; Clement just aimlessly 'circulated' among the people present.
Non-ProZ.com Jun 25, 2005:
Thanks! The definition I found for "flaneur" was v. negative (layabout, loafer), so I wasn't sure! I think rephrasing it is the best idea!

Proposed translations

+5
5 mins
Selected

circulated among the guests, frequently returning to ...

yes, Flaneur does refer to WClement and is meant to convey that he moved around and had a good time

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 mins (2005-06-25 13:06:13 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

The author might have used flaneur to convey that Clement is not stiff and stuck up and knows how to enjoy himself (flaneur itself is from Baudelaire)

The flâneur is the stroller, the pedestrian who finds delight and ... crowd in
the centre of the metropolis is essential to the flâneur. Baudelaire writes: ...
www.man.ac.uk/sociologyonline/vccc/1_2_Benjamin_Flanerie/fl...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 mins (2005-06-25 13:07:47 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

\"The intoxication to which the flaneur surrenders is the intoxication of the ...
modernity -- \"Benjamin regard Baudelaire as the figure who gives voice to ...
www.eng.fju.edu.tw/Literary_Criticism/postmodernism/postmo_...

Thus Vertov stands half-way between Baudelaire\'s flâneur and computer user: no
... From Baudelaire\'s flâneur strolling through physical streets we move to ...
www.manovich.net/DOCS/navigable_space.doc

or perhaps: strolled among the guests, ...



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 mins (2005-06-25 13:09:24 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

using the French spelling of flaneur -- flâneur -- might eliminate the negative connotation

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 30 mins (2005-06-25 13:28:04 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

or (thanks to Kim and Ian H.):

*mingled among the guests, ...*
Peer comment(s):
neutral Sandy A Pirie : I'd accept your first suggestion but find you're overinterpreting the use of the word in German. No one at the opera house has Baudelaire in mind when they 'mingle' and 'move on' during the intermission/interval - it's part of the fun of being seen there.
11 mins
but the _author_ might have Baudelaire in mind! ;-)
agree Kim Metzger : Sandy's point is well taken, but I think you're on the right track with circulating. A party mingler is also in the right direction.
15 mins
the author might have had Baudelaire in mind ;-)
agree Ian M-H (X) : circulated or (my preference, with Sandy, but maybe it's just my UK ears) *mingled* among the guests
18 mins
not just UK ears ... not quite awake yet ... thanks! ;-)
agree Frosty : with Ian - `mingled´
5 hrs
done :-)
agree Dr.G.MD (X) : mingled
6 hrs
done :-)
agree Steven Sidore : my US ears think circulated is fine (then again, so is mingled...)
23 hrs
that's what I initially thought, but then the chorus of BE speakers made me wonder ... thanks! ;-)
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "I used this word for word! Many thanks!"
8 mins

the stroller

he was strolling about
(and here, of course, it is not the Kinderwagen but rather the
meaning of Spaziergänger)


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 mins (2005-06-25 13:07:30 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

time and again he was strolling into the ballroom
Reference:

http://dict.leo.org

Something went wrong...
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