Glossary entry (derived from question below)
German term or phrase:
Geistesströmung
English translation:
current of thought
Added to glossary by
Matthias Quaschning-Kirsch
Jun 11, 2006 04:31
17 yrs ago
German term
Germany
Geistesströmung
German to English
Social Sciences
Philosophy
History
Wie lautet der englische Begriff für Geistesströmung in einem Kontext wie diesem hier:
"Die Kulturen unserer beiden Länder haben sich stets gegenseitig bereichert. Sei es in der Philosophie, in der Literatur oder in der Kunst, unsere beiden nationalen Genien haben sich durch ihre gegenseitige Beeinflussung und ihren Dialog Geltung verschafft. Ein und dieselbe **Geistesströmung** brachte in Frankreich und in Deutschland die Aufklärung hervor, auch wenn man Voltaire und Kant nicht einander gleichsetzen kann."
"Die Kulturen unserer beiden Länder haben sich stets gegenseitig bereichert. Sei es in der Philosophie, in der Literatur oder in der Kunst, unsere beiden nationalen Genien haben sich durch ihre gegenseitige Beeinflussung und ihren Dialog Geltung verschafft. Ein und dieselbe **Geistesströmung** brachte in Frankreich und in Deutschland die Aufklärung hervor, auch wenn man Voltaire und Kant nicht einander gleichsetzen kann."
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 | current of thought |
Matthias Quaschning-Kirsch
|
| 4 +4 | intellectual current |
Teresa Reinhardt
|
| 4 +3 | an intellectual movement |
Roddy Stegemann
|
| 5 | stream of thought |
Ellen Zittinger
|
Proposed translations
5 days
Matthias Quaschning-Kirsch
Germany
Germany
Native in German
Works in field
Germany
Reliably & quickly from the North to You
Native in: German 
Works in: Swedish to German, Finnish to German, Danish to German, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Selected
current of thought
"Intellectual current" is perfectly correct. Nevertheless, I don't like it very much and would like to make a clear difference between Geist and intellect.
Note from asker:
| Danke. Ich schließe mich dir an, "current of thought" ist allerdings missverständlich: "Concentration purifies and calms the surging emotions, strengthens the current of thought and clarifies the ideas." (http://www.yoga-vidya.de/Yoga--Buch/Konzentration_Strahlen/Strahlen_der_Konzentration.htm) |
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
+3
28 mins
Roddy Stegemann
United States
United States
Native in English
United States
Search HKLNA!
Native in: English 
Works in: German to English, Japanese to English, French to English, and 3 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
4
an intellectual movement
One important often used possibility.
Note from asker:
| Thanks, Hamo. |
| Hamo, maybe you are confusing cause and effect a little bit? The quoted text talks about that, which brought about enlightenment. So the term "intellectual movement" might be the most proper term for enlightenment itself, while "intellectual current" would be the correct term for factors leading to enlightenment. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Parzival
3 hrs
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Thanks, Walter. I am glad that at least one person understand that the sea has many currents and that the Englightenment was a historical sea change in the way people thought.
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| agree |
D.K. Tannwitz
6 hrs
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Thanks, WIDIC. ... And still another enlightened individual!
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| agree |
Ingeborg Gowans (X)
12 hrs
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Thanks, Ingeborg.
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+4
1 hr
Teresa Reinhardt
United States
United States
Native in German
&
English
United States
Known for top notch work, on time
Native in: German (Variant: Germany) , English (Variant: US)
Works in: German to English, English to German, English, and 1 more.
intellectual current
I prefer "current" since it retains an element of chance; IMO "movement" is too intentional/organized
- your text refers to the _emergence_ of "Aufklärung", and not to an organized school/movement
- your text refers to the _emergence_ of "Aufklärung", and not to an organized school/movement
Note from asker:
| Thanks, Teresa. I found both terms in use for the unorganized phenomenon of the idea. But I did not look very far... |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Craig Meulen
: I agree that movement sounds like something more organised, so current is better here.
2 hrs
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Thanks, Craig!
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| agree |
Jeanette Phillips
: "Zeitgeist" also springs to mind, as in spirit of the age/time. I think "Geist" is close to spirit in meaning, maybe more so than intellect.
6 hrs
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Thanks, Jeanette!
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| agree |
Lancashireman
: Some people are so keen to enlighten others that they endorse their own answer in the AtA box.
6 hrs
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Thanks, Andrew! ;-)
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| agree |
Erik Macki
: I like "current" here for the same reasons as well. Also, usually a movement is "Bewegung" and the author chose "Stroemung" instead of "Bewegung" here--best to reflect this nuance in the translation as well.
23 hrs
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Thanks, Erik!
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11 days
Ellen Zittinger
Native in German
&
English
Specializes in field
Educator/Realtor/Securities Rep/Agent
Native in: English , German
Works in: English to German, German to English
stream of thought
stream of consciousness or train of thought can also be applied
Train of thought, also known as stream of thought or stream of consciousness is thinking in words. It also refers to the semi-constant internal mono-dialogue one has with oneself at a conscious or semi-conscious level.
Train of thought, also known as stream of thought or stream of consciousness is thinking in words. It also refers to the semi-constant internal mono-dialogue one has with oneself at a conscious or semi-conscious level.
Discussion