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Geistesströmung

English translation: current of thought

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Geistesströmung
English translation:current of thought
Entered by: Matthias Quaschning-Kirsch

04:31 Jun 11, 2006
German to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Philosophy / History
German term or phrase: Geistesströmung
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."
Alban Fenle
Germany
Local time: 00:11
current of thought
Explanation:
"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.
Selected response from:

Matthias Quaschning-Kirsch
Germany
Local time: 00:11
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +4intellectual current
Teresa Reinhardt
4 +3an intellectual movement
Roddy Stegemann
5stream of thought
Ellen Zittinger
4current of thought
Matthias Quaschning-Kirsch


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


28 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
an intellectual movement


Explanation:
One important often used possibility.

Roddy Stegemann
United States
Local time: 15:11
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks, Hamo.

Asker: 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 comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Parzival
3 hrs
  -> 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.
agree  D.K. Tannwitz
6 hrs
  -> Thanks, WIDIC. ... And still another enlightened individual!
agree  Ingeborg Gowans (X)
12 hrs
  -> Thanks, Ingeborg.
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
intellectual current


Explanation:
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

Teresa Reinhardt
United States
Local time: 15:11
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks, Teresa. I found both terms in use for the unorganized phenomenon of the idea. But I did not look very far...


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Craig Meulen: I agree that movement sounds like something more organised, so current is better here.
2 hrs
  -> Thanks, Craig!
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
  -> Thanks, Jeanette!
agree  Lancashireman: Some people are so keen to enlighten others that they endorse their own answer in the AtA box.
6 hrs
  -> Thanks, Andrew! ;-)
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
  -> Thanks, Erik!
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5 days   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
current of thought


Explanation:
"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.

Matthias Quaschning-Kirsch
Germany
Local time: 00:11
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 4
Notes to answerer
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)

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11 days   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
stream of thought


Explanation:
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.




    Reference: http://www.streamofthought.co.uk/
    Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train_of_Thought
Ellen Zittinger
Local time: 15:11
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in GermanGerman
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