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  3. Psychology

mit erhobenem Zeigefinger

English translation: without any finger-wagging; without wagging a finger; without lecturing

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:ohne erhobenen Zeigefinger
English translation:without any finger-wagging; without wagging a finger; without lecturing
Entered by: TDK (X)

19:27 May 27, 2007
German to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Psychology / Survey
German term or phrase: mit erhobenem Zeigefinger
Context: An sociological-psychological analysis of a new TV series for children that has a strong educational background.

Several mothers have been interviewed to give their opinion on the series. Their answers are quoted in the text.

One of the answers is:

„Da werden die typischen Unsitten aufs Korn genommen, aber ohne erhobenen Zeigefinger.“

[NB: "Da" means "in the TV series"]

I'm not sure whether "with upraised forefinger" could be used appropriately here.
TDK (X)
Germany
Local time: 17:58
without wagging a finger
Explanation:
To wag a/one's finger at someone is essentially the same gesture with the same significance: Tut! Tut! You've been very naughty! Don't do it again!

Having said that, Kim's suggestion, "without lecturing", is perhaps more idiomatic and captures the central meaning.

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Note added at 1 hr (2007-05-27 20:35:30 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

For the record, I think LDM's "without any finger-wagging" (or even just "without finger-wagging") is a better formulation. I was thinking along those lines but somehow lost track.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 days17 hrs (2007-05-30 13:22:57 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Vulgar connotation?! And here was I thinking it was about a cricket umpire giving a batsman out!
Selected response from:

Richard Benham
France
Local time: 17:58
Grading comment
Thanks to all of you, you've been a great help. Even though there are several possibilities, I would say that "without wagging a finger" or, better, "without any finger-wagging" is the ultimate choice for this context. Besides, I've just discovered an English web site of the Goethe-Institut where "without any finger-wagging" is used in a very similar context.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +3without wagging a finger
Richard Benham
3 +1without lecturing
Kim Metzger
4an accusing finger
Joseph Tein
3without lecturing
Paul Cohen
3with a (strong) moralizing undertone
Jonathan MacKerron


  

Answers


5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
without lecturing


Explanation:
I think that's one way of putting it.


Kim Metzger
Mexico
Local time: 09:58
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 64

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Paul Cohen: You were faster, Kim.
4 mins
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8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
ohne erhobenen Zeigefinger
without lecturing


Explanation:
It's not just what you say that counts... but also how you say it!


Paul Cohen
Greenland
Local time: 14:58
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 27
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10 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
an accusing finger


Explanation:
"...without pointing an accusing finger.'

Another option, meaning without judgment or criticism, or 'lecturing' as Kim as suggested.

Example sentence(s):
  • Instead of pointing an accusing finger, I am to lend a helping hand.
Joseph Tein
United States
Local time: 08:58
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Notes to answerer
Asker: I think that "to point an accusing finger" has a slightly different meaning, namely "mit dem Finger auf jemanden zeigen", which implies that someone feels morally superior to another person and condemns that person's action or behavior.

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42 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
with a (strong) moralizing undertone


Explanation:
O-Ton Muret-Sanders

Jonathan MacKerron
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 47
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
ohne erhobenem Zeigefinger
without wagging a finger


Explanation:
To wag a/one's finger at someone is essentially the same gesture with the same significance: Tut! Tut! You've been very naughty! Don't do it again!

Having said that, Kim's suggestion, "without lecturing", is perhaps more idiomatic and captures the central meaning.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2007-05-27 20:35:30 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

For the record, I think LDM's "without any finger-wagging" (or even just "without finger-wagging") is a better formulation. I was thinking along those lines but somehow lost track.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 days17 hrs (2007-05-30 13:22:57 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Vulgar connotation?! And here was I thinking it was about a cricket umpire giving a batsman out!

Richard Benham
France
Local time: 17:58
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks to all of you, you've been a great help. Even though there are several possibilities, I would say that "without wagging a finger" or, better, "without any finger-wagging" is the ultimate choice for this context. Besides, I've just discovered an English web site of the Goethe-Institut where "without any finger-wagging" is used in a very similar context.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Lori Dendy-Molz: without any finger wagging
7 mins
  -> That's a very good way of putting it!
agree  Armorel Young: That puts it nicely. I'm not convinced that anything as concrete as "without lecturing" is meant; the erhobene Zeigefinger implies to me that more subtle ways of expressing disapproval may be involved.
27 mins
  -> Thanks. You make a good point there.
agree  David Moore (X)
33 mins
  -> Thanks.
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