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Eindachhof
DKS
Jan 2, 2018 15:28
6 yrs ago
5 viewers *
German term

Mehrspartenhaus

German to English Marketing Tourism & Travel Visitor attractions in the Black Forest
This is from a description of the Three Countries Museum (?) - Dreiländermuseum - and the text says, Als Mehrspartenhaus verfügt das Dreiländermuseum über eine der umfangreichsten Sammlungen in Südbaden.
Proposed translations (English)
4 +1 rewrite it
4 +2 The Dreiländermuseum is highly versatile in concept, housing...
3 +2 a multi-disciplinary venue or institution
3 +1 institution with a variety of collections and exibitions
4 multi-genre museum
4 multi-dimensional institution
3 Multi-purpose venue
References
multidisciplinary
Change log

Jan 3, 2018 10:14: Steffen Walter changed "Field" from "Other" to "Marketing"

Discussion

Stephen Old (asker) Jan 6, 2018:
Mehrspartenhaus Thank you for all your contributions. I had to go out to give blood yesterday and ambusy now but will choose an answer later today.
David Hollywood Jan 5, 2018:
this is becoming an odyssey
Lancashireman Jan 5, 2018:
Subjects This is at the opposite end of the rigorous-effete scale from 'disciplines'.
(Thanks for your input, Björn. Incisive as always.)
Björn Vrooman Jan 5, 2018:
Südbaden One thing that may deserve a translator's note more than this question here is the name of the region. I don't know how you have translated it, but the people commenting on this question have given you three options thus far: Südbaden, South Baden and south of Baden.

Unless your audience consists of only WWII veterans, I am not sure a reference to Südbaden/South Baden is the best option in this context (the French translator seems to have chosen Lancashireman's option if I'm not mistaken).

E.g.:
"Upon founding in 1949, West Germany had eleven states. These were reduced to nine in 1952 when three south-western states (South Baden, Württemberg-Hohenzollern and Württemberg-Baden) merged to form Baden-Württemberg."
http://familypedia.wikia.com/wiki/States_of_Germany

Considering the referendum to merge these states was roundly rejected in South Baden, keeping the name may be a source of pride for people in the region. But I'm sure it's going to confuse the heck out of foreign visitors. I only saw an indirect reference to the confines of the region somewhere on the website ("Region zwischen Breisgau und Bodensee"); no clear explanation, though.

Best
Björn Vrooman Jan 5, 2018:
Hello Stephen Happy New Year!

"rather than a museum ..."

Here's a few examples:
"The venue boasts versatile spaces, dramatic architecture and fascinating museum exhibits."
http://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/thinktank/venue-hire/ven...

"Housing some of the museums’ most dramatic objects, this versatile venue hosts inspiring events surrounded by history."
https://www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-scotland/venue-hire...

"The Auditorium was our next stop; a feature that allows The National Museum to become more versatile"
http://www.yourgb.co.uk/news/a-night-at-the-museum-with-team...

"and a versatile temporary exhibition space"
http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/museums-galleries-history/ba...

"the Natural History Museum is one of the largest and most versatile venues in London"
https://www.eventconcept.co.uk/our-venues/natural-history-mu...

What did you think about "diverse," as suggested further below?

"The Museum’s permanent collection amounts to some 8 million works, a mere fraction of which can be displayed at once, showcasing a diverse range of human history and culture."
http://www.whitelight.ltd.uk/venues/british-museum-events/
Stephen Old (asker) Jan 5, 2018:
Mehrspartenhaus Thanks for all these replies. I think versatile means adaptable or multi-skilled in relation to a person or tool rather than a museum so I like Brigitte's suggestion of "covering many subjects," or I would say topics.
Stephen Old (asker) Jan 4, 2018:
Mehrspartenhaus Thanks for all these suggestions and sorry for the delay in replying. I am still working on this 10,000-word translation. I think i am going to have to be creative in rewriting it.
Wendy Streitparth Jan 4, 2018:
I would definitely rewrite it along the lines of:
The Drei-Länder-Museum houses one of the most extensive collections in South Baden, with an impressive array of (diverse) items on display.
David Hollywood Jan 4, 2018:
lots of very capable guys here so that's good
David Hollywood Jan 4, 2018:
the German forum is a tough cookie
David Hollywood Jan 4, 2018:
@herbalchemist just this 1 and thanks for the empathy :)
Lancashireman Jan 3, 2018:
Disciplines Archery, hockey, judo, Modern Pentathlon etc
https://www.technogym.com/gb/wellness/the-new-olympic-sports...
Detention, beating, suspension, expulsion etc
https://www.britishpublicschools.ac.uk
Herbmione Granger Jan 3, 2018:
@David In general or regarding this translation question? Either way, I sympathize.
David Hollywood Jan 3, 2018:
not too happy with anything involving "disciplinary"
Herbmione Granger Jan 3, 2018:
That would be like so cool...
in 1938!

http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showpdf.php?id=20349
Schaffhauser Museum ist, ungewöhnlich für die Gründung
im Jahr 1938, ein Mehrspartenhaus. Es führt unter
seinem Dach die unterschiedlichsten Objekte zusammen
– ausgestopfte Tiere, Waffen, archäologische Funde,
Gemälde, religiöse Kultobjekte und stadt- und regionalhistorische
Überreste. Die verschiedenen Abteilungen
und wissenschaftlichen Schwerpunkte bilden keine in
sich geschlossene Einheit, eher ist die Diversität der versammelten
Objekte und Wissensbestände das auffällige
Merkmal dieses Museums.
Björn Vrooman Jan 3, 2018:
Sparte Exactly. Straight from the horse's mouth [emphasis mine]:
"Neben den Schwerpunkten Regional- und Dreiländergeschichte, südbadische Kunst und Kunstkeramik ist das Museum auch literarische Gedenkstätte zu Johann Peter Hebel."
https://www.dreilaendermuseum.eu/de/Sammlung

I believe "Sparte" means "Schwerpunkte" here. As Phil rightly pointed out, these aren't genres. The "Mehrsparten" is not a direct reference to the collection. What they want to say in German is that for the curators to be able to offer a "[diverse] range of exhibitions (maybe that's an option too)," the museum needs to have a big collection. Admittedly, the causal link seems a bit strained. Just think of Tate's big collection, which doesn't include archaeological finds.

Best
Herbmione Granger Jan 3, 2018:
or this?
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/NMB_Neues_Museum_Biel
Anfänglich war das Museum Schwab ein Mehrspartenhaus, das neben Archäologie auch Kunst, historische Objekte und naturwissenschaftliche Präparate zeigte. Nach einer Reorganisation und einem Umbau wurde es 1947 als reines Archäologiemuseum wieder eröffnet.

Another compare-and-contrast:
http://europe-museum-project.andreasschlothauer.com/blog.htm...
Das Museum ist ein Mehrspartenhaus mit rund 70.000 Objekten, außer der ethnografischen Sammlung (ca. 20.000 Stücke) gibt es Bestände zur Stadt- und Kantonsgeschichte.
The museum's 70,000 artifacts are a combination of the ethnographic collections (comprising approx. 20,000 pieces) with the municipal and cantonal collections.
Herbmione Granger Jan 3, 2018:
Interesting? http://www.cms.residenzschloss-altenburg.de/index.php/collec...
The castle museum and the museum of playing cards almost classical represent the combination type within a larger and regional positioned museum – a „Mehrspartenhaus” (more divisional house). It is a town- and cultural historical museum with a dominant of arts and crafts. The playing cards are one of special collection.
Herbmione Granger Jan 3, 2018:
I disagree with Björn Not the strangest comment here.

BTW Isn't a place with a bunch of different objects to look at called a museum?
Björn Vrooman Jan 3, 2018:
Strangest comment so far... ...and the year's just begun:
"Versatile means flexible, ie it can adapt to future change."

If I had worn a leather jacket last summer and had put it on again this winter, it'd be "versatile" enough. Cambridge thinks so, at least:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/versatil...

Or M-W:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/versatile

BTW, I'm not sure how the jacket really "adapts" either. The only thing that is possibly more strange than this here is the response to Stephen's other question, where the "low-hanging roof" of a jungle house and the "low-lying roof" of a building on a ranch are considered valid alternatives to the kind of steep hip roof that he asked about.

PS
"You could say 'displays'..."

Yes, it's 2018, but this is still called "elegant variation." I liked you better as the Wordcutter-in-Chief. In any case: Happy New Year!

PS2
To be fair, I agree with your other neutral comment.
Lancashireman Jan 3, 2018:
Exactly The information is given twice in the same sentence: a) it's a Mehrspartenhaus; b) it's got a big collection.
Herbmione Granger Jan 3, 2018:
no need to sweat it https://www.dreilaendermuseum.eu/de/Das-Museum/Dreiländermus...
(DE) Als Mehrspartenhaus verfügt das Dreiländermuseum über eine der umfangreichsten Sammlungen in Südbaden.
(FR) La collection du musée est l’une des plus riches dans le sud de Bade. -> The museum's collection is one of the richest in the south of Baden.
BrigitteHilgner Jan 2, 2018:
covering several subjects? For all those who want to understand what this is all about:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreiländermuseum

Proposed translations

+1
1 day 2 hrs
Selected

rewrite it

This word doesn't translate easily, and I don't think we're doing it justice. Words like "versatile", "multipurpose" and "multidimensional" are too vague in my opinion.

I don't know what the text goes on to say, but assuming you have some creative leeway, I'd rewrite it to make it clear exactly what the museum houses, and put a translator's note explaining why.

I'd say something like:

"The Dreiländermuseum has one of the biggest and most eclectic collections in Südbaden, including objects as varied as coins, maps, and ceramics."

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Note added at 1 day 2 hrs (2018-01-03 17:45:19 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

It really is a jumble of objects - it reminds me of the Horniman Museum in London, which has everything from Egyptian mummies to instruments of torture and an aquarium.
https://www.dreilaendermuseum.eu/de/Sammlung/Weitere-Sammlun...
Note from asker:
Thanks again for your comments. This is what my text says about the contents of the museum. Es zeigt mit der Dreiländerausstellung in deutscher und französischer Sprache die zentrale Dauerausstellung zur Geschichte und Gegenwart der Drei-Länder-Region am Oberrhein. Daneben präsentiert es jährlich mehrere große Sonderausstellungen. Als Mehrspartenhaus verfügt das Dreiländermuseum über eine der umfangreichsten Sammlungen in Südbaden. Schwerpunkte sind die trinationale Geschichte und südbadische Kunst.
Peer comment(s):
agree Herbmione Granger : Yes, needs a rewrite. "Eclectic" covers the Mehresparten- meaning well.
19 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks, Phil. I think this suggestion, which was also made by people in the discussion threads, is the best and I liked the way you worded your suggested translation. "
21 mins

Multi-purpose venue

This refers to a theatre that is used for various forms of entertainment, as per the Wiki entry quoted above. So "Multi-purpose venue" or "Multi-purpose theatre" would be a form of description without making a long-winded sentence.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2018-01-02 16:51:46 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

As pointed out below, this is a museum, not a theatre. So "multi-purpose venue" or "multi-purpose museum" is obviously more appropriate.
Peer comment(s):
disagree philgoddard : It's not a theatre, it's a museum.//I still don't think this is right. A museum has one purpose, which is to show people things. And "venue" implies it could also offer entertainment, for example.
56 mins
Fair point - I got mixed up with other references. I shall edit.
agree gangels (X)
58 mins
Something went wrong...
+1
3 hrs

institution with a variety of collections and exibitions

"Mehrspartenhaus" kann sich auf mehrere
"Fachgebiete, Disziplinen, besonders der Wissenschaft, Kunst" oder "(thematische) Gruppen, Abteilungen innerhalb einer Organisation, Institution" beziehen. [https://www.dwds.de/wb/Sparte, https://www.dwds.de/r?q=Sparten&h=1]
Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_institution

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum

Note from asker:
I agree with Lancashireman's point aout the second half of the sentence; otherwise this is a good suggestion, thank youl
Peer comment(s):
agree BrigitteHilgner
29 mins
Thank you.
neutral Lancashireman : Look at the second part of the sentence: "verfügt über eine der umfangreichsten Sammlungen" This institution with a variety of collections and exibitions has one of the most comprehensive collections...
4 hrs
The sentence can certainly be refined, but IMHO the fact that the museum has a variety of collections should be emphasised [Als Mehrspartenhaus ...].
Something went wrong...
+2
6 hrs

a multi-disciplinary venue or institution

just one more option
Peer comment(s):
agree AllegroTrans : Institution yes, venue no
1 hr
agree Alison MacG : Not venue and probably museum rather than institution, but I would probably go for this option
21 hrs
neutral David Hollywood : not happy with "disciplinary" but the rest is fine
1 day 26 mins
neutral Lancashireman : Not happy with multi-disciplinary, venue or institution.
1 day 1 hr
Something went wrong...
8 hrs

multi-genre museum

Yes, the museum stages a variety of collections and exhibitions. But the point is, it holds different genres such as visual arts and literature..

http://jur.byu.edu/?p=18834
Peer comment(s):
neutral philgoddard : Genres relates specifically to the arts, but this museum contains all kinds of things.
17 hrs
neutral David Hollywood : agree with Phil up to a point but "genre" might just work here
22 hrs
Something went wrong...
+2
7 hrs
German term (edited): Als Mehrspartenhaus verfügt das Dreiländermuseum über...

The Dreiländermuseum is highly versatile in concept, housing...

Als Mehrspartenhaus verfügt das Dreiländermuseum über eine der umfangreichsten Sammlungen in Südbaden.
The Dreiländermuseum is highly versatile in concept, housing one of the most comprehensive collections in the south of Baden.

1) It's not a house or a building as such or even an institution/institute.
2) A direct translation of this noun into English is nver going to sound convincing.
3) Have they asked you to translate the name of the museum? Maybe not such a good idea...



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 hrs (2018-01-02 23:25:40 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

versatile in concept
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q="versatile in concept"&oq=...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 hrs (2018-01-02 23:26:52 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

the museum houses
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q="the museum houses"&oq="th...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day 5 hrs (2018-01-03 21:09:11 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Alternatively
The Dreiländermuseum is diverse in concept, housing...
Note from asker:
Thanks, there are so many options here. I am not translating Dreiländermuseum but leaving it in German with an explanatory gloss.
Peer comment(s):
neutral AllegroTrans : It may well be highly versatile but the ST doesn't actually say that
30 mins
agree Björn Vrooman : Happy New Year! Agree on all three counts. Using a predicative helps to keep it short. To see what kind of exhibitions they offer: https://www.dreilaendermuseum.eu/de/Ausstellungen/Dauerausst... Most answers don't make sense to me.
6 hrs
Thanks. Asker decided the sentence needed a "rewrite".
neutral philgoddard : Versatile means flexible, ie it can adapt to future change. That's not what they're saying. //You could say "displays" to avoid the repetition.
17 hrs
"The Dreiländermuseum has one of the biggest and most eclectic collections in Südbaden, including objects as varied as coins, maps, and ceramics." Haha, that's not what they're saying...
agree Herbmione Granger : I like this restructuring. "The museum houses" or such is not very inviting.
1 day 13 hrs
Thanks. Asker decided the sentence needed a "rewrite".
Something went wrong...
9 hrs

multi-dimensional institution

I would say

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day 7 hrs (2018-01-03 22:32:24 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

despite the lack of comments on this suggestion, I still think it's ok

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day 7 hrs (2018-01-03 22:32:52 GMT)
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a very interesting question for sure
Something went wrong...

Reference comments

1 day 4 hrs
Reference:

multidisciplinary

I have been thinking about this question for a while now.

If you wish to keep some sort of reference to the term rather than rewrite the text, then I think multidisciplinary museum may be a reasonable option (as in a general museum, rather than a museum with a specific focus).

Based on things like the following:

From Encyclopædia Britannica
Types of museum
General Museums
General museums hold collections in more than one subject and are therefore sometimes known as multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary museums. Many were founded in the 18th, 19th, or early 20th century.
…
Most common among general museums are those which serve a region or a locality.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/types-of-museums-398830#ref...

Museumsstatistik – Welcher Typ sind Sie?
Mehrspartenmuseum
In Ihrem Museum befinden sich Objekte aus vielen verschiedenen Disziplinen mit komplexen Beständen (bspw. Landesmuseen).
Wählen Sie diesen Museumstyp nur aus, wenn Ihre Institution sonst keiner Kategorie zugehörig ist.
http://museumspraxis.at/?p=944

Conceived as a multidisciplinary museum, the musée d’art et d’histoire houses collections in the domains of archeology, fine arts and applied arts, and offers a view of the history of civilisation, prehistory and contemporary times.
http://www.saatchigallery.com/museums/full-museum-details/pe...

In 1985, the National Museum of Antiquities would merge with the Royal Scottish Museum and is now National Museums Scotland, the largest multi-disciplinary museum in Scotland, with 12 million items in its collections and the largest body of curatorial and conservation expertise in the country.
https://www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-collections/stories/scotti...
Peer comments on this reference comment:
agree Björn Vrooman : Happy New Year! I'm not comfortable with "disciplinary" outside an academic context, but I'm not going to argue with Britannica. See "Schwerpunkte" at Phil's link. Still, the use of "Dreiländermuseum" and "museum" in one sentence isn't pretty.
25 mins
agree Herbmione Granger : Frohes neues Jahr! I just spotted this. Does look like a match. I agree with "thinking," if nothing else.
1 hr
Something went wrong...
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