German equivalent of the phrase “poetic licence”
up vote
11
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In English there is a phrase, "poetic licence". This means that the author's statement is not strictly true, but has been exaggerated or embroidered a little for the sake of dramatic effect. A similar term is "artistic licence".
For example, the English sentence "The filmmakers used a bit too much artistic licence" (i.e. they deviated a bit too far from the original storyline).
I tried translating it directly, to something like "Die Filmemacher benützten künstlerische Lizenz" (or "poetische Lizenz") but is there a more idiomatic translation?
phrases phrase-request
asked Nov 5 at 11:33
krman
6117
add a comment |
up vote
11
down vote
favorite
In English there is a phrase, "poetic licence". This means that the author's statement is not strictly true, but has been exaggerated or embroidered a little for the sake of dramatic effect. A similar term is "artistic licence".
For example, the English sentence "The filmmakers used a bit too much artistic licence" (i.e. they deviated a bit too far from the original storyline).
I tried translating it directly, to something like "Die Filmemacher benützten künstlerische Lizenz" (or "poetische Lizenz") but is there a more idiomatic translation?
phrases phrase-request
asked Nov 5 at 11:33
krman
6117
2
Direct translation is appropriate here but you chose the wrong translation for “license”; in English the word has several meanings but not all of those are translatable as “Lizenz” in German.
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 5 at 13:58
1
Note the regional difference in usage between benützen and benutzen. Related: german.stackexchange.com/q/38554
– moooeeeep
Nov 5 at 14:48
1
Leo has a prepackaged answer, so I vote for closing.
– guidot
Nov 5 at 15:09
add a comment |
up vote
11
down vote
favorite
up vote
11
down vote
favorite
In English there is a phrase, "poetic licence". This means that the author's statement is not strictly true, but has been exaggerated or embroidered a little for the sake of dramatic effect. A similar term is "artistic licence".
For example, the English sentence "The filmmakers used a bit too much artistic licence" (i.e. they deviated a bit too far from the original storyline).
I tried translating it directly, to something like "Die Filmemacher benützten künstlerische Lizenz" (or "poetische Lizenz") but is there a more idiomatic translation?
phrases phrase-request
asked Nov 5 at 11:33
krman
6117
In English there is a phrase, "poetic licence". This means that the author's statement is not strictly true, but has been exaggerated or embroidered a little for the sake of dramatic effect. A similar term is "artistic licence".
For example, the English sentence "The filmmakers used a bit too much artistic licence" (i.e. they deviated a bit too far from the original storyline).
I tried translating it directly, to something like "Die Filmemacher benützten künstlerische Lizenz" (or "poetische Lizenz") but is there a more idiomatic translation?
phrases phrase-request
phrases phrase-request
asked Nov 5 at 11:33
krman
6117
asked Nov 5 at 11:33
krman
6117
asked Nov 5 at 11:33
krman
6117
asked Nov 5 at 11:33
krman
6117
asked Nov 5 at 11:33
krman
6117
6117
2
Direct translation is appropriate here but you chose the wrong translation for “license”; in English the word has several meanings but not all of those are translatable as “Lizenz” in German.
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 5 at 13:58
1
Note the regional difference in usage between benützen and benutzen. Related: german.stackexchange.com/q/38554
– moooeeeep
Nov 5 at 14:48
1
Leo has a prepackaged answer, so I vote for closing.
– guidot
Nov 5 at 15:09
add a comment |
2
Direct translation is appropriate here but you chose the wrong translation for “license”; in English the word has several meanings but not all of those are translatable as “Lizenz” in German.
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 5 at 13:58
1
Note the regional difference in usage between benützen and benutzen. Related: german.stackexchange.com/q/38554
– moooeeeep
Nov 5 at 14:48
1
Leo has a prepackaged answer, so I vote for closing.
– guidot
Nov 5 at 15:09
2
2
Direct translation is appropriate here but you chose the wrong translation for “license”; in English the word has several meanings but not all of those are translatable as “Lizenz” in German.
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 5 at 13:58
Direct translation is appropriate here but you chose the wrong translation for “license”; in English the word has several meanings but not all of those are translatable as “Lizenz” in German.
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 5 at 13:58
1
1
Note the regional difference in usage between benützen and benutzen. Related: german.stackexchange.com/q/38554
– moooeeeep
Nov 5 at 14:48
Note the regional difference in usage between benützen and benutzen. Related: german.stackexchange.com/q/38554
– moooeeeep
Nov 5 at 14:48
1
1
Leo has a prepackaged answer, so I vote for closing.
– guidot
Nov 5 at 15:09
Leo has a prepackaged answer, so I vote for closing.
– guidot
Nov 5 at 15:09
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
43
down vote
accepted
I think "poetic license" and "artistic license" are best translated as "dichterische Freiheit" and "künstlerische Freiheit". Those phrases literally mean "poetic liberty" and "artistic liberty" and are fairly common in German to express what you referred to in your first paragraph.
Some possible translations for
The filmmakers used a bit too much artistic licence
are
Die Filmemacher haben etwas zu sehr von ihrer künstlerischen Freiheit Gebrauch gemacht
or
Die Filmemacher haben sich ein bisschen zu viele künstlerische Freiheiten genommen.
answered Nov 5 at 11:38
fragezeichen
2,165521
4
Since one literal translation of “license” is in fact “Freiheit”, “dichterische/künstlerische Freiheit” are literally translated as “poetic/artistic license”, no need to change the English wording to get a literal translation.
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 5 at 13:57
2
@KonradRudolph I disagree. Can you please give a few examples? 'Licence' might in some restricted meaning or in a figurative sense be used as a translation for 'Freiheit', but I doubt as a general or literal translation.
– jarnbjo
Nov 5 at 16:57
3
@jarnbjo definition, noun, meaning 2; there’s not really room for interpretation. It’s its literal meaning, and its original etymology (although I’m the first to clamour that etymology ≠ contemporary meaning).
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 5 at 17:03
1
@Konrad Rudolph:Künstlerische Freiheitis the right translation forlicentia poetica/artistic license. The original etymology oflicenseis not the same asFreiheit, though.Freiheitis a possible translation for Latinlicentia, butlicentiahas moral connotations thatFreiheitdoes not have, e.g.,ZügellosigkeitorWillkür. If you translate a German text to Latin, you would rarely chooselicentiaforFreiheit.
– Frank from Frankfurt
Nov 6 at 8:47
1
@Frank I agree with all these things but I don’t understand how they pertain to the discussion. One literal translation of “license” is “Freiheit”, and it is exactly the right one in this context. Both “license” and “Freiheit” have multiple distinct meanings (many if not most words do), and their primary meanings differ. But the sets of their meanings overlap, and the overlap happens exactly where we need it.
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 6 at 9:43
|
show 3 more comments
up vote
16
down vote
The idiom is "künstlerische Freiheit(en)", like this:
Die Filmemacher haben sich die künstlerische Freiheit genommen, die Handlung zu verändern. (neutral)
Die Filmemacher haben sich etwas zu viele künstlerische Freiheiten erlaubt. (negativ)
answered Nov 5 at 11:41
Richard Metzler
3114
add a comment |
up vote
14
down vote
The German equivalents to this phrase are usually
"dichterische Freiheit" and
"künstlerische Freiheit" resp.
So the example would be "Die Filmemacher nutzten die künstlerische Freiheit …".
edited Nov 5 at 20:48
Loong♦
11.1k42558
answered Nov 5 at 11:38
IQV
8,6002243
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
43
down vote
accepted
I think "poetic license" and "artistic license" are best translated as "dichterische Freiheit" and "künstlerische Freiheit". Those phrases literally mean "poetic liberty" and "artistic liberty" and are fairly common in German to express what you referred to in your first paragraph.
Some possible translations for
The filmmakers used a bit too much artistic licence
are
Die Filmemacher haben etwas zu sehr von ihrer künstlerischen Freiheit Gebrauch gemacht
or
Die Filmemacher haben sich ein bisschen zu viele künstlerische Freiheiten genommen.
answered Nov 5 at 11:38
fragezeichen
2,165521
4
Since one literal translation of “license” is in fact “Freiheit”, “dichterische/künstlerische Freiheit” are literally translated as “poetic/artistic license”, no need to change the English wording to get a literal translation.
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 5 at 13:57
2
@KonradRudolph I disagree. Can you please give a few examples? 'Licence' might in some restricted meaning or in a figurative sense be used as a translation for 'Freiheit', but I doubt as a general or literal translation.
– jarnbjo
Nov 5 at 16:57
3
@jarnbjo definition, noun, meaning 2; there’s not really room for interpretation. It’s its literal meaning, and its original etymology (although I’m the first to clamour that etymology ≠ contemporary meaning).
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 5 at 17:03
1
@Konrad Rudolph:Künstlerische Freiheitis the right translation forlicentia poetica/artistic license. The original etymology oflicenseis not the same asFreiheit, though.Freiheitis a possible translation for Latinlicentia, butlicentiahas moral connotations thatFreiheitdoes not have, e.g.,ZügellosigkeitorWillkür. If you translate a German text to Latin, you would rarely chooselicentiaforFreiheit.
– Frank from Frankfurt
Nov 6 at 8:47
1
@Frank I agree with all these things but I don’t understand how they pertain to the discussion. One literal translation of “license” is “Freiheit”, and it is exactly the right one in this context. Both “license” and “Freiheit” have multiple distinct meanings (many if not most words do), and their primary meanings differ. But the sets of their meanings overlap, and the overlap happens exactly where we need it.
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 6 at 9:43
|
show 3 more comments
up vote
43
down vote
accepted
I think "poetic license" and "artistic license" are best translated as "dichterische Freiheit" and "künstlerische Freiheit". Those phrases literally mean "poetic liberty" and "artistic liberty" and are fairly common in German to express what you referred to in your first paragraph.
Some possible translations for
The filmmakers used a bit too much artistic licence
are
Die Filmemacher haben etwas zu sehr von ihrer künstlerischen Freiheit Gebrauch gemacht
or
Die Filmemacher haben sich ein bisschen zu viele künstlerische Freiheiten genommen.
answered Nov 5 at 11:38
fragezeichen
2,165521
4
Since one literal translation of “license” is in fact “Freiheit”, “dichterische/künstlerische Freiheit” are literally translated as “poetic/artistic license”, no need to change the English wording to get a literal translation.
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 5 at 13:57
2
@KonradRudolph I disagree. Can you please give a few examples? 'Licence' might in some restricted meaning or in a figurative sense be used as a translation for 'Freiheit', but I doubt as a general or literal translation.
– jarnbjo
Nov 5 at 16:57
3
@jarnbjo definition, noun, meaning 2; there’s not really room for interpretation. It’s its literal meaning, and its original etymology (although I’m the first to clamour that etymology ≠ contemporary meaning).
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 5 at 17:03
1
@Konrad Rudolph:Künstlerische Freiheitis the right translation forlicentia poetica/artistic license. The original etymology oflicenseis not the same asFreiheit, though.Freiheitis a possible translation for Latinlicentia, butlicentiahas moral connotations thatFreiheitdoes not have, e.g.,ZügellosigkeitorWillkür. If you translate a German text to Latin, you would rarely chooselicentiaforFreiheit.
– Frank from Frankfurt
Nov 6 at 8:47
1
@Frank I agree with all these things but I don’t understand how they pertain to the discussion. One literal translation of “license” is “Freiheit”, and it is exactly the right one in this context. Both “license” and “Freiheit” have multiple distinct meanings (many if not most words do), and their primary meanings differ. But the sets of their meanings overlap, and the overlap happens exactly where we need it.
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 6 at 9:43
|
show 3 more comments
up vote
43
down vote
accepted
up vote
43
down vote
accepted
I think "poetic license" and "artistic license" are best translated as "dichterische Freiheit" and "künstlerische Freiheit". Those phrases literally mean "poetic liberty" and "artistic liberty" and are fairly common in German to express what you referred to in your first paragraph.
Some possible translations for
The filmmakers used a bit too much artistic licence
are
Die Filmemacher haben etwas zu sehr von ihrer künstlerischen Freiheit Gebrauch gemacht
or
Die Filmemacher haben sich ein bisschen zu viele künstlerische Freiheiten genommen.
answered Nov 5 at 11:38
fragezeichen
2,165521
I think "poetic license" and "artistic license" are best translated as "dichterische Freiheit" and "künstlerische Freiheit". Those phrases literally mean "poetic liberty" and "artistic liberty" and are fairly common in German to express what you referred to in your first paragraph.
Some possible translations for
The filmmakers used a bit too much artistic licence
are
Die Filmemacher haben etwas zu sehr von ihrer künstlerischen Freiheit Gebrauch gemacht
or
Die Filmemacher haben sich ein bisschen zu viele künstlerische Freiheiten genommen.
answered Nov 5 at 11:38
fragezeichen
2,165521
edited Nov 5 at 12:00
answered Nov 5 at 11:38
fragezeichen
2,165521
answered Nov 5 at 11:38
fragezeichen
2,165521
answered Nov 5 at 11:38
fragezeichen
2,165521
2,165521
4
Since one literal translation of “license” is in fact “Freiheit”, “dichterische/künstlerische Freiheit” are literally translated as “poetic/artistic license”, no need to change the English wording to get a literal translation.
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 5 at 13:57
2
@KonradRudolph I disagree. Can you please give a few examples? 'Licence' might in some restricted meaning or in a figurative sense be used as a translation for 'Freiheit', but I doubt as a general or literal translation.
– jarnbjo
Nov 5 at 16:57
3
@jarnbjo definition, noun, meaning 2; there’s not really room for interpretation. It’s its literal meaning, and its original etymology (although I’m the first to clamour that etymology ≠ contemporary meaning).
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 5 at 17:03
1
@Konrad Rudolph:Künstlerische Freiheitis the right translation forlicentia poetica/artistic license. The original etymology oflicenseis not the same asFreiheit, though.Freiheitis a possible translation for Latinlicentia, butlicentiahas moral connotations thatFreiheitdoes not have, e.g.,ZügellosigkeitorWillkür. If you translate a German text to Latin, you would rarely chooselicentiaforFreiheit.
– Frank from Frankfurt
Nov 6 at 8:47
1
@Frank I agree with all these things but I don’t understand how they pertain to the discussion. One literal translation of “license” is “Freiheit”, and it is exactly the right one in this context. Both “license” and “Freiheit” have multiple distinct meanings (many if not most words do), and their primary meanings differ. But the sets of their meanings overlap, and the overlap happens exactly where we need it.
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 6 at 9:43
|
show 3 more comments
4
Since one literal translation of “license” is in fact “Freiheit”, “dichterische/künstlerische Freiheit” are literally translated as “poetic/artistic license”, no need to change the English wording to get a literal translation.
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 5 at 13:57
2
@KonradRudolph I disagree. Can you please give a few examples? 'Licence' might in some restricted meaning or in a figurative sense be used as a translation for 'Freiheit', but I doubt as a general or literal translation.
– jarnbjo
Nov 5 at 16:57
3
@jarnbjo definition, noun, meaning 2; there’s not really room for interpretation. It’s its literal meaning, and its original etymology (although I’m the first to clamour that etymology ≠ contemporary meaning).
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 5 at 17:03
1
@Konrad Rudolph:Künstlerische Freiheitis the right translation forlicentia poetica/artistic license. The original etymology oflicenseis not the same asFreiheit, though.Freiheitis a possible translation for Latinlicentia, butlicentiahas moral connotations thatFreiheitdoes not have, e.g.,ZügellosigkeitorWillkür. If you translate a German text to Latin, you would rarely chooselicentiaforFreiheit.
– Frank from Frankfurt
Nov 6 at 8:47
1
@Frank I agree with all these things but I don’t understand how they pertain to the discussion. One literal translation of “license” is “Freiheit”, and it is exactly the right one in this context. Both “license” and “Freiheit” have multiple distinct meanings (many if not most words do), and their primary meanings differ. But the sets of their meanings overlap, and the overlap happens exactly where we need it.
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 6 at 9:43
4
4
Since one literal translation of “license” is in fact “Freiheit”, “dichterische/künstlerische Freiheit” are literally translated as “poetic/artistic license”, no need to change the English wording to get a literal translation.
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 5 at 13:57
Since one literal translation of “license” is in fact “Freiheit”, “dichterische/künstlerische Freiheit” are literally translated as “poetic/artistic license”, no need to change the English wording to get a literal translation.
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 5 at 13:57
2
2
@KonradRudolph I disagree. Can you please give a few examples? 'Licence' might in some restricted meaning or in a figurative sense be used as a translation for 'Freiheit', but I doubt as a general or literal translation.
– jarnbjo
Nov 5 at 16:57
@KonradRudolph I disagree. Can you please give a few examples? 'Licence' might in some restricted meaning or in a figurative sense be used as a translation for 'Freiheit', but I doubt as a general or literal translation.
– jarnbjo
Nov 5 at 16:57
3
3
@jarnbjo definition, noun, meaning 2; there’s not really room for interpretation. It’s its literal meaning, and its original etymology (although I’m the first to clamour that etymology ≠ contemporary meaning).
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 5 at 17:03
@jarnbjo definition, noun, meaning 2; there’s not really room for interpretation. It’s its literal meaning, and its original etymology (although I’m the first to clamour that etymology ≠ contemporary meaning).
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 5 at 17:03
1
1
@Konrad Rudolph:
Künstlerische Freiheit is the right translation for licentia poetica/artistic license. The original etymology of license is not the same as Freiheit, though. Freiheit is a possible translation for Latin licentia, but licentia has moral connotations that Freiheit does not have, e.g., Zügellosigkeit or Willkür. If you translate a German text to Latin, you would rarely choose licentia for Freiheit.– Frank from Frankfurt
Nov 6 at 8:47
@Konrad Rudolph:
Künstlerische Freiheit is the right translation for licentia poetica/artistic license. The original etymology of license is not the same as Freiheit, though. Freiheit is a possible translation for Latin licentia, but licentia has moral connotations that Freiheit does not have, e.g., Zügellosigkeit or Willkür. If you translate a German text to Latin, you would rarely choose licentia for Freiheit.– Frank from Frankfurt
Nov 6 at 8:47
1
1
@Frank I agree with all these things but I don’t understand how they pertain to the discussion. One literal translation of “license” is “Freiheit”, and it is exactly the right one in this context. Both “license” and “Freiheit” have multiple distinct meanings (many if not most words do), and their primary meanings differ. But the sets of their meanings overlap, and the overlap happens exactly where we need it.
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 6 at 9:43
@Frank I agree with all these things but I don’t understand how they pertain to the discussion. One literal translation of “license” is “Freiheit”, and it is exactly the right one in this context. Both “license” and “Freiheit” have multiple distinct meanings (many if not most words do), and their primary meanings differ. But the sets of their meanings overlap, and the overlap happens exactly where we need it.
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 6 at 9:43
|
show 3 more comments
up vote
16
down vote
The idiom is "künstlerische Freiheit(en)", like this:
Die Filmemacher haben sich die künstlerische Freiheit genommen, die Handlung zu verändern. (neutral)
Die Filmemacher haben sich etwas zu viele künstlerische Freiheiten erlaubt. (negativ)
answered Nov 5 at 11:41
Richard Metzler
3114
add a comment |
up vote
16
down vote
The idiom is "künstlerische Freiheit(en)", like this:
Die Filmemacher haben sich die künstlerische Freiheit genommen, die Handlung zu verändern. (neutral)
Die Filmemacher haben sich etwas zu viele künstlerische Freiheiten erlaubt. (negativ)
answered Nov 5 at 11:41
Richard Metzler
3114
add a comment |
up vote
16
down vote
up vote
16
down vote
The idiom is "künstlerische Freiheit(en)", like this:
Die Filmemacher haben sich die künstlerische Freiheit genommen, die Handlung zu verändern. (neutral)
Die Filmemacher haben sich etwas zu viele künstlerische Freiheiten erlaubt. (negativ)
answered Nov 5 at 11:41
Richard Metzler
3114
The idiom is "künstlerische Freiheit(en)", like this:
Die Filmemacher haben sich die künstlerische Freiheit genommen, die Handlung zu verändern. (neutral)
Die Filmemacher haben sich etwas zu viele künstlerische Freiheiten erlaubt. (negativ)
answered Nov 5 at 11:41
Richard Metzler
3114
edited Nov 5 at 11:51
answered Nov 5 at 11:41
Richard Metzler
3114
answered Nov 5 at 11:41
Richard Metzler
3114
answered Nov 5 at 11:41
Richard Metzler
3114
3114
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
14
down vote
The German equivalents to this phrase are usually
"dichterische Freiheit" and
"künstlerische Freiheit" resp.
So the example would be "Die Filmemacher nutzten die künstlerische Freiheit …".
edited Nov 5 at 20:48
Loong♦
11.1k42558
answered Nov 5 at 11:38
IQV
8,6002243
add a comment |
up vote
14
down vote
The German equivalents to this phrase are usually
"dichterische Freiheit" and
"künstlerische Freiheit" resp.
So the example would be "Die Filmemacher nutzten die künstlerische Freiheit …".
edited Nov 5 at 20:48
Loong♦
11.1k42558
answered Nov 5 at 11:38
IQV
8,6002243
add a comment |
up vote
14
down vote
up vote
14
down vote
The German equivalents to this phrase are usually
"dichterische Freiheit" and
"künstlerische Freiheit" resp.
So the example would be "Die Filmemacher nutzten die künstlerische Freiheit …".
edited Nov 5 at 20:48
Loong♦
11.1k42558
answered Nov 5 at 11:38
IQV
8,6002243
The German equivalents to this phrase are usually
"dichterische Freiheit" and
"künstlerische Freiheit" resp.
So the example would be "Die Filmemacher nutzten die künstlerische Freiheit …".
edited Nov 5 at 20:48
Loong♦
11.1k42558
answered Nov 5 at 11:38
IQV
8,6002243
edited Nov 5 at 20:48
Loong♦
11.1k42558
edited Nov 5 at 20:48
Loong♦
11.1k42558
edited Nov 5 at 20:48
Loong♦
11.1k42558
11.1k42558
answered Nov 5 at 11:38
IQV
8,6002243
answered Nov 5 at 11:38
IQV
8,6002243
answered Nov 5 at 11:38
IQV
8,6002243
8,6002243
add a comment |
add a comment |
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2
Direct translation is appropriate here but you chose the wrong translation for “license”; in English the word has several meanings but not all of those are translatable as “Lizenz” in German.
– Konrad Rudolph
Nov 5 at 13:58
1
Note the regional difference in usage between benützen and benutzen. Related: german.stackexchange.com/q/38554
– moooeeeep
Nov 5 at 14:48
1
Leo has a prepackaged answer, so I vote for closing.
– guidot
Nov 5 at 15:09