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German to English translations [PRO] Art/Literary - Music
German term or phrase:über etwas hinwegsehen
I need an English equivalent for "über etwas hinwegsehen" - but with a rather positive connotation.
Context:
"Die im ehemaligen Jugoslawien angesehenen Bands, die sich auch für den Vielvölkerstaat und seine Vorzüge aussprachen, schöpfen nach wie vor aus ebendiesem jugoslawischen Liederwerk, dessen Aufgabe es – damals wie heute – war, über die ethnischen und religiösen Unterschiede hinwegzusehen."
Explanation: Look beyond definitely has the positive connotation of looking past something towards the future, something positive, etc. It carries the sense of magnanimity.
I'd have to disagree that "to gloss over" has a positive connotation. It has a distinct sense of "brushing something under the rug" or to "give something a cursory glance". Either way, "to gloss over" also carries the distinct connotation of covering something up (to gloss), to put a veneer of suitability on something which may be completely unsuitable.
See the following links below. I have cut and paste their very general definitions here for your ease of reference:
gloss over vb (tr, adverb) 1. to hide under a deceptively attractive surface or appearance 2. to deal with (unpleasant facts) rapidly and cursorily, or to omit them altogether from an account of something
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 7 hrs (2012-04-24 02:44:41 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Especially in the context of the religious and ethnic differences, "looking beyond/past religious and ethnic differences" carries a very positive connotation here--this action (of "looking beyond") attempts to see the bigger picture, as it were. Glossing over the differences would carry the connotation of giving a perfunctory nod to them without acknowledgement of their depth, something that "looking beyond" does not assume to do.
Just come to this discussion, but couldn't the "hinwegsehen" mean that the music as it were makes the most of the ethnic and religious differences by exploiting their diversity in a positive way. I'm thinking of things like putting elements of gypsy music, folk and religious songs etc into new compositions. The band literally "looks beyond" the inherent conflict potential and concentrates on the synthesis which will emerge.
Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
@ Andrew
11:16 Apr 24, 2012
of course, of course, ja, ja, ja! and @Michael http://www.dict.cc/?s=hinwegsehen probably because the word has been misused in the source text! As a musician you don't look over, omit or gloss over political and/or religious differences. You either completely ignore or disregard them (Jonathan), delve into them (no one), bridge them (Colin - but not what the source text says) or rise above them (Ramey/Orla hihi - the plagarism was unintentional, great minds..ladida). Honestly, at the moment and without any more specifications as to WHAT kind of music, WHICH bands and HOW their political/religious function is further defined - I'm for either my suggestion or Jonathan's. Only the context can tell which is appropriate.
I understand the impetus to look for the best phrase to capture the positive connotation, as the asker requested. It's a judgment call how far you can go without "improving" the source text. I have noted we haven't put nearly as much emphasis on dictionary definitions of "hinwegsehen" as on "gloss over"
as regards slightly negative connotation of "gloss over"
Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
gloss over
05:39 Apr 24, 2012
has, in my opinion, a slightly negative connotation, as in ignore or euphemize.
@Orla I posted "rise above" before I read the entire discussion, this seems to me to be the most appropriate translation, although "brings into harmony" is my favourite, looser option
oa_xxx (X)
Germany
gloss over also means:
02:35 Apr 24, 2012
2. to deal with (unpleasant facts) rapidly and cursorily, or to omit them altogether from an account of something
(treat hurriedly or avoid dealing with properly) 2. whitewash, gloss over, sleek over, hush up
the problem with downplay is that it implies that they still deal with the topic rather than disregarding it completely if thats what they do, could work well if not - it fits in the sentence given.
peer agreement (net): +1
