How do I say this in English:
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How do I say this in English:
In Danish we use the term "en nærliggende tanke" (a nearby thought) to describe that an idea would easily come to mind in a given a situation.
For instance, if a tribe was using drag sleds to move heavy items, and they saw a round shape rolling down a hill, it could be "a nearby thought" to combine round wheels and a drag sled to create a cart.
Is there a similar term in English?
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How do I say this in English:
In Danish we use the term "en nærliggende tanke" (a nearby thought) to describe that an idea would easily come to mind in a given a situation.
For instance, if a tribe was using drag sleds to move heavy items, and they saw a round shape rolling down a hill, it could be "a nearby thought" to combine round wheels and a drag sled to create a cart.
Is there a similar term in English?
@randahl Well, since the expression doesn't exist I wouldn't get hung up on translating the words, but rather the intent - e.g. "Hvis X er det en nærliggende tanke at Y" = "If X it's not a stretch to say that Y".
In my view "nærliggende tanke" does not, in fact, mean anything like an inspiration or stroke of insight - it's more mundane, like "This makes me think of..." without great fanfare
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@randahl Well, since the expression doesn't exist I wouldn't get hung up on translating the words, but rather the intent - e.g. "Hvis X er det en nærliggende tanke at Y" = "If X it's not a stretch to say that Y".
In my view "nærliggende tanke" does not, in fact, mean anything like an inspiration or stroke of insight - it's more mundane, like "This makes me think of..." without great fanfare
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@randahl @jwcph Yes. That's how I use it too. Perhaps we need to just introduce it into English in direct translation. 'A nearby thought' is clear in context and fills the hole you've discovered in the English language. We can just start using it and dare them to stop us. Like I use the phrase Småtingsafdelingen in English. 'Ah, no matter, that belongs in the Department of Small Things.' It just fits some situations better than English equivalents and everyone knows what I mean.
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@randahl @jwcph Yes. That's how I use it too. Perhaps we need to just introduce it into English in direct translation. 'A nearby thought' is clear in context and fills the hole you've discovered in the English language. We can just start using it and dare them to stop us. Like I use the phrase Småtingsafdelingen in English. 'Ah, no matter, that belongs in the Department of Small Things.' It just fits some situations better than English equivalents and everyone knows what I mean.
@CiaraNi god idé!
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J jwcph@helvede.net shared this topic
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@CiaraNi god idé!
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@randahl @jwcph Yes. That's how I use it too. Perhaps we need to just introduce it into English in direct translation. 'A nearby thought' is clear in context and fills the hole you've discovered in the English language. We can just start using it and dare them to stop us. Like I use the phrase Småtingsafdelingen in English. 'Ah, no matter, that belongs in the Department of Small Things.' It just fits some situations better than English equivalents and everyone knows what I mean.
@CiaraNi @randahl @jwcph I still use English translations of some Danish business phrases:
1. Let's get them dressed up for the next project.
2. Make sure they know who should manage this so it doesn't fall between chairsThe second one is a nearby though to:
3. Where are you sitting?
I usually answered "In Tech House on the first floor" (which is actually the second floor in America) until I figured out that they were asking what my role was
