This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. Swedish to English
  3. Social Science, Sociology, Ethics, etc.

könsförnedrande

English translation: degrading to women (depending on context)

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Swedish term or phrase:könsförnedrande
English translation:degrading to women (depending on context)
Entered by: Charlesp

19:31 Jul 12, 2005
Swedish to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Social Science, Sociology, Ethics, etc.
Swedish term or phrase: könsförnedrande
Referring to for instance the stereotypical role (in a negative sence) a woman might be portrayed in a movie.
Charlesp
Sweden
Local time: 14:59
degrading to women
Explanation:
'Kön' is of course 'gender', 'sex', but 'gender-degrading' does not ring right.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr 23 mins (2005-07-12 20:55:26 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

In fact, I am often wrong, and when I am I also try to admit this.

As stated in my reply to Michele, I agree she has a better solution in terms of inclusiveness. I will also agree to some extent that \'sexist\' is used in contexts similar to the one Charles is implying - but allow me to split some hairs though:

I still argue \'degrading\' is a more exact equivalent of \'förnedrande\'.

\'Förnedra\' carries connotations covered by the verbs \'humiliate\', \'disgrace\', or \'dishonour\'. More specifically, for a native speaker of Swedish, it brings up associations of things such as sado-masochist roleplay or military officers forcing their recruits to do humiliating things, where the victim is humiliated. This is the basic meaning of \'förnedring\'.

I don\'t think English \'sexist\' brings up such strong associations - although it contains a clear value message, it still rings more neutral... but I am not a native speaker of English, so maybe I am wrong in this respect.

It might be interesting to note that Swedish, more commonly than \'könsförnedrande\', uses the words \'könsdiskriminerande\' and \'sexistisk\', but the author of this text has chosen neither of these two options, which are closer cognates to English \'sexist\'. To me, this implies the author wants the reader to get these more base, vile associations. In short, my argument is that \'könsförnedrande\' carries a stronger and more emotionally charged value judgement than \'sexist\'.

Selected response from:

EKM
Sweden
Local time: 14:59
Grading comment
Mårten is always right!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +2sexist
Michele Fauble
4degrading to one's gender
Kathy Saranpa
3degrading to women
EKM


Discussion entries: 4





  

Answers


7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
könsförnedrande
degrading to one's gender


Explanation:
This is a tough one -- "sexually degrading" is an entirely different matter and can not be used here. I wish we had the rest of the sentence.

Kathy Saranpa
Finland
Local time: 15:59
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Michele Fauble: 'sexist'
17 mins
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
könsförnedrande
degrading to women


Explanation:
'Kön' is of course 'gender', 'sex', but 'gender-degrading' does not ring right.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr 23 mins (2005-07-12 20:55:26 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

In fact, I am often wrong, and when I am I also try to admit this.

As stated in my reply to Michele, I agree she has a better solution in terms of inclusiveness. I will also agree to some extent that \'sexist\' is used in contexts similar to the one Charles is implying - but allow me to split some hairs though:

I still argue \'degrading\' is a more exact equivalent of \'förnedrande\'.

\'Förnedra\' carries connotations covered by the verbs \'humiliate\', \'disgrace\', or \'dishonour\'. More specifically, for a native speaker of Swedish, it brings up associations of things such as sado-masochist roleplay or military officers forcing their recruits to do humiliating things, where the victim is humiliated. This is the basic meaning of \'förnedring\'.

I don\'t think English \'sexist\' brings up such strong associations - although it contains a clear value message, it still rings more neutral... but I am not a native speaker of English, so maybe I am wrong in this respect.

It might be interesting to note that Swedish, more commonly than \'könsförnedrande\', uses the words \'könsdiskriminerande\' and \'sexistisk\', but the author of this text has chosen neither of these two options, which are closer cognates to English \'sexist\'. To me, this implies the author wants the reader to get these more base, vile associations. In short, my argument is that \'könsförnedrande\' carries a stronger and more emotionally charged value judgement than \'sexist\'.



EKM
Sweden
Local time: 14:59
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in SwedishSwedish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Mårten is always right!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Kathy Saranpa: Right-on in this context, but the word "könsförnedrande" could also apply to men. If asker chooses this one, it shouldn't be entered into glossary this way.
3 mins
  -> Thank you Kathy. I agree, and I think Michele has the best all-inclusive suggestion.
neutral  Michele Fauble: 'sexist' // IMO 'sexist', like 'racist', does convey the sense of 'förnedrande' .///..."but the author of this text has chosen neither of these two options, which are closer cognates to English 'sexist'." This begs the question. See my added note.
19 mins
  -> You are right - 'sexist' is a better term for its inclusiveness, but does not quite cover the '-förnedrande' part of the Swedish word. More recently, this concept has often been referred to as 'gender stereotyping' as well (mostly academic texts).
disagree  Mario Marcolin: doesn't necessarily imply women
43 mins
  -> Correct. If you look carefully at how I stated my answer, you will notice this is covered. I focused on the context provided here - pls see my reply to Michele's 'neutral' above.
neutral  Peter Linton (X): It is very rare to find myself in disagreement with Mårten, but on this ocasion I think Michelle's answer hits the nail on the head.
48 mins
  -> You may be right - pls see my added explanation above though. :-)
neutral  Anette Herbert: To portray a woman in a degrading way would also be seen as degrading to many men, by both men and women, as that is implying that this is how men actually sees women. And if asker wants to convey the strength, should use " sexist and degrading" IMO
12 hrs
  -> Good suggestion! :-)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

18 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
könsförnedrande
sexist


Explanation:
We must understand that we are currently living in a society with a sexist portrayal of women in media and advertising and cosmetic operations without ...
budoucnost.misto.cz/_MAIL_/zeny/anaen.html

The Committee is concerned at the continuing sexist portrayal of women in the media, especially in advertising. 27. The Committee calls on the Government to ...
www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/ cedaw/cedaw23/Romania%20as%20adopted.html

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 20 mins (2005-07-12 19:52:09 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

\'Sexism\' and \'Sexist\' are the terms commonly used.



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 43 mins (2005-07-12 20:14:54 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

\'sexist portrayal of women in the movies\'



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 22 hrs 50 mins (2005-07-13 18:21:51 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

The asker has indicated, and I agree, that \'degrading to women\' is an acceptable translation.

Mårten Dalhed has stated

\"It might be interesting to note that Swedish, more commonly than \'könsförnedrande\', uses the words \'könsdiskriminerande\' and \'sexistisk\', but the author of this text has chosen neither of these two options, which are closer cognates to English \'sexist\'. To me, this implies the author wants the reader to get these more base, vile associations.\"

This assumes what he seeks to prove, i.e that \'sexist\' does NOT convey \"these more base, vile associations\". This is the logical fallacy of \'begging the question\'.

My suggestion of \'sexist\' as a translation of \'könsförnedrande\' reflects its use in public discourse. The sense of \'degrading\' may be less marked in academic texts. (Perhaps this mirrors the difference between \'könsförnedrande\' and \'sexistisk\' in Swedish).






Michele Fauble
United States
Local time: 05:59
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Peter Linton (X): While the other answers are certainly good translations, this word conveys the same meaning, and is how it would naturally be written in English. Much the best answer.
30 mins
  -> thanks
agree  Anette Herbert: The use of sexist could be enhanced with "a sexist and degrading" portrayal, as degradation is gender neutral and a human moral issue. The poverty in Africa, for example, is degrading regardless of gender.
12 hrs
  -> Thanks. 'Sexist and degrading' sounds somewhat redundant to me. IMO 'sexist', as commonly used in public discourse, does convey the sense of 'degrading'.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search