rød tråd

English translation: The (main) thread of the plot

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Danish term or phrase:rød tråd
English translation:The (main) thread of the plot
Entered by: Ciarán Rooney

16:10 Aug 12, 2009
Danish to English translations [PRO]
Marketing - Photography/Imaging (& Graphic Arts)
Danish term or phrase: rød tråd
Overblik over elementernes sammenhæng, grafisk linie, rød tråd
I know the Danish meaning of the term and it's origins are biblical but I don't believe red cord/thread is an English expression. Any ideas what would work in English?
Ciarán Rooney
Ireland
Local time: 07:55
The (main) thread of the plot
Explanation:
This is often a difficult expression to translate.

Depending on context, I have occasionally used common factor, or main theme.

The thread of the plot works occasionally, as the closest I have found to a literal translation.
Selected response from:

Christine Andersen
Denmark
Local time: 08:55
Grading comment
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5the defining line
kolya
4rogue's yarn
Sven Petersson
3The (main) thread of the plot
Christine Andersen
3red thread running through
Diarmuid Kennan


  

Answers


14 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
rogue's yarn


Explanation:
Falconer's Marine Dictionary

Sven Petersson
Sweden
Local time: 08:55
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in SwedishSwedish, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
the defining line


Explanation:
den rød tråd, the red thread, or yarn ....is also used as the defining line. specially in graphics. traad itself has many meanings and including; Traad-, i ssgr. (nu kun dial. (i bet. 1) Traa-. se u. traad-fin, -kurv, -nøgle, -ret, -vis. jf. Feilb.).

1) ['tr
Tegn, der ikke kan vises
r med cirkel under (‘ustemt ell. afstemt r’)å(·)ð- ell. (i faste, dagl. ssgr.) ogs. 'tr
Tegn, der ikke kan vises
r med cirkel under (‘ustemt ell. afstemt r’)ω
Tegn, der ikke kan vises
omega vendt på hovedetð-] af I. Traad, især i bet. 1-2; saaledes (foruden de paa alfabetisk plads anførte) fx. traad-agtig, -arbejde, -baand, -bevikling, -brud, -bur,
so in graphics as you mention I think almost Iam sure that it is meaning is the defining line where the graphics are taking place. the bevikling point so to say. I would love it if someone would correct me if I am wrong. Thank you.


    Reference: http://ordnet.dk/ods/opslag?opslag=+tr%E5d
kolya
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in Persian (Farsi)Persian (Farsi), Native in EnglishEnglish
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1 day 17 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
The (main) thread of the plot


Explanation:
This is often a difficult expression to translate.

Depending on context, I have occasionally used common factor, or main theme.

The thread of the plot works occasionally, as the closest I have found to a literal translation.

Christine Andersen
Denmark
Local time: 08:55
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 3
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1 day 21 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
red thread running through


Explanation:
I am fairly sure that this phrase originates in the British navy. All the rope produced for the British navy had a red thread woven into it to prevent the theft of this valuable commodity. Thus, the phrase 'a red thread running through' something is reasonably common in English texts.

Diarmuid Kennan
Ireland
Local time: 07:55
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
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