mill2 Mar 23, 2009:

overtoness Most German ears I know would hear the Nazi overtones too. Maybe not Austrian ears?! Hard to know what they were thinking...

Jo Bennett Mar 23, 2009:

Yes, I agree; I don't think anything any of us has suggested for "Kraft durch" adds anything beautiful or useful to the pairs of keywords.

Susan Zimmer Mar 23, 2009:

but sometimes you need it added, like if it's for something like an energy drink, or if the Kraft is what is being marketed.

Susan Zimmer Mar 23, 2009:

LOL, Paul - was thinking the exact same thing when I first read this. As stated in my answer, w/o the context above, it was hard to see how critical the Kraft durch actually is. If it can be done away with altogether, that's great.

Paul Cohen Mar 23, 2009:

I wholeheartedly agree with your line of thinking, Lesley. May the force be with you! ;-)

RegineMac Mar 23, 2009:

I'm with you. I think it sounds way more appealing if you just use the key words without any "Kraft durch."

Lonnie Legg Mar 23, 2009:

Omitting "Kraft durch": Sounds like you're on the right track.

Lesley Robertson MA, Dip Trans IoLET (asker) Mar 23, 2009:

This is taken from an A-Z "Webverzeichnis" of a tourist region. And each village in the region has a distinct "flavour", a certain "strength" so to speak - and each of these "slogans" is used as a sort of headline for a particular village, describing what makes that partic. village unique. E.g. the one with the headline "Kraft durch Lebenslust und Flair" is a lively, upmarket sort of place, whereas the one with "Kraft durch Bewegung und Stärke" has a lots of sports activities on offer etc... I'm thinking of just leaving out the "Kraft durch" and just writing a couple of keywords for each village without the "Kraft durch" bit. I'm really beginning to think it would sound better that way, less stilted.

hazmatgerman (X) Mar 23, 2009:

Strong advice against using the particular phrase. Recent history will spring to mind immediately.

Helen Shiner Mar 23, 2009:

Brigitte agree that it has Nazi overtones, but it does have extensive earlier roots, like so many things, but EN ears will only hear the Nazi flavour, I agree.

BrigitteHilgner Mar 23, 2009:

Kraft durch Freude "Strength through joy" was offered by the Nazis - I would stay clear of anything which might remind anyone of this concept (and can't understand the people who came up with these German slogans).

Paul Cohen Mar 23, 2009:

Well, it's horribly redundant, in any case. That kind of repetition won't go over very well with an English-speaking audience. What comes before and after this bit, Lesley? Are these slogans? Some more info might help.

Helen Shiner Mar 23, 2009:

What sort of text are you translating? What is it marketing?

Helen Shiner Mar 23, 2009:

Kraft durch This is terminology from the Lebensreform movement - late 19th/early 20th century. Whilst it may be very familiar to German ears, I would suggest you go with something else for an EN audience.