We are wordsmiths: Kristin Fehlauer

In this issue: Kristin Fehlauer, Senior Editor & Translator

 

• What is your goal for 2021?

Hard to pick just one! Because of the pandemic it’s been over a year since I’ve seen my family back in the States, so I’d like to visit them. I’ve also been working on not responding to messages in the heat of indignation, but taking some time to calm down first so I don’t aggravate the situation. To call it anger management seems a bit too strong – annoyance management, perhaps?

 

• Over the course of your career, have you noticed specific changes in language usage?

In my first few trips to Germany a good 20 years ago, I remember learning to say “Schönen Tag noch” and not to greet a store employee with an American-like “Hallo,” but to say “Guten Tag” or “Grüß Gott.” But nowadays, I’m hearing lots of Germans say “Schönen Nachmittag noch” and they often greet customers with “Hallo” instead of the more formal varieties. These might be Munich phenomena – is it happening elsewhere?

 

• What animal are you tempted to translate literally?

German has some great ones! Sadly, my favorite animals aren’t among them (dragonfly/Libelle, cheetah/Gepard). But one good example is the German for hippopotamus, Nilpferd. German kids don’t know how good they have it! It literally means “Nile horse,” but Wikipedia informs me that this name came about when there were still hippos on the Nile. Since that is sadly no longer the case, it is more accurate to speak generally of the Flusspferd, or “river horse.” Actually, it’s possible to translate directly from the “English” word, as “hippopotamus” comes from the ancient Greek for “river horse.”

 

• Is the glass half full or half empty?

Depends on when you ask the question! Have you just poured something into it or have you drunk half of it?

 

• Working from home: yes or no?

I like a mix. Working from home is convenient in so many ways, but I also like the change of pace and exercise involved in going to the office.

 

• Lake or ocean?

Ocean, all the way! Just as Captain Jack Sparrow says at the end of the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie: “Now, bring me that horizon.” The smell of the salt, the mysterious depths, the lore and maritime traditions – I love it all!