Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Dutch term or phrase:
begrenzing
English translation:
delimiting factor; limit
Added to glossary by
Ruth Tanner
Apr 5, 2017 04:55
7 yrs ago
Dutch term
begrenzing
Dutch to English
Tech/Engineering
Physics
measurement technology
A precision measurement instrument:
Een duidelijke begrenzing vormt de scheefstand van het te meten oppervlak; de sensor is tot een helling van 40 graden in staat betrouwbaar te meten.
I've already been given help with another part of this sentence (thanks!). :-) The response confirmed the idea of a limitation here. I'd be interested in opinions on the most accurate way to express this.
My attempt: "A clear delimiting factor is ..."
What do others think?
Een duidelijke begrenzing vormt de scheefstand van het te meten oppervlak; de sensor is tot een helling van 40 graden in staat betrouwbaar te meten.
I've already been given help with another part of this sentence (thanks!). :-) The response confirmed the idea of a limitation here. I'd be interested in opinions on the most accurate way to express this.
My attempt: "A clear delimiting factor is ..."
What do others think?
Proposed translations
(English)
4 | delimiting factor; limitation | Michael Beijer |
4 +1 | is limited to | Lianne van de Ven |
Proposed translations
9 hrs
Selected
delimiting factor; limitation
Both sound totally fine to me. If Lianne or Barend want to answer the same, feel free, but since no one has yet, I thought I might as well.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 hrs (2017-04-05 14:03:26 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
or "constraint"
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 hrs (2017-04-05 14:34:04 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Een duidelijke begrenzing vormt de scheefstand van het te meten oppervlak; de sensor is tot een helling van 40 graden in staat betrouwbaar te meten.
=
A clear constraint is the slope of the surface to be measured: the sensor is reliable up to a slope of 40 degrees.
A clear constraint is the slope of the surface to be measured: the sensor can measure reliably up to a slope of 40 degrees.
A clear delimiting factor is the slope of the surface to be measured: the sensor is reliable up to a slope of 40 degrees.
A clear delimiting factor is the slope of the surface to be measured: the sensor can measure reliably up to a slope of 40 degrees.
etc.
(slope = angle = incline)
I see no problem in using the phrase "delimiting factor" in this context. It's about a precision measurement instrument after all.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 hrs (2017-04-05 14:03:26 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
or "constraint"
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 hrs (2017-04-05 14:34:04 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Een duidelijke begrenzing vormt de scheefstand van het te meten oppervlak; de sensor is tot een helling van 40 graden in staat betrouwbaar te meten.
=
A clear constraint is the slope of the surface to be measured: the sensor is reliable up to a slope of 40 degrees.
A clear constraint is the slope of the surface to be measured: the sensor can measure reliably up to a slope of 40 degrees.
A clear delimiting factor is the slope of the surface to be measured: the sensor is reliable up to a slope of 40 degrees.
A clear delimiting factor is the slope of the surface to be measured: the sensor can measure reliably up to a slope of 40 degrees.
etc.
(slope = angle = incline)
I see no problem in using the phrase "delimiting factor" in this context. It's about a precision measurement instrument after all.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks, Michael!"
+1
9 hrs
is limited to
See discussion box. This is how I would phrase it. The accuracy of the device is limited to surface angles of less than 40 degrees.
Discussion
As to "delimiting factor", well, it's a pity it is one word longer than the source text. :-) But I'm reassured by the fact that several translators here consider it to be fine.
Thanks to all.
Als je elk woord bij opbod verkoopt, is het simpel een kwestie van hoe meer woorden, hoe meer vreugd.
:-)
Lianne, ik heb nog nooit een klant gehad die zei 'gebruik zo veel mogelijk woorden' in je vertaling.
Of: wees zo langdradig mogelijk.
Jij wel?
I think you could also opt for:
...; de sensor is tot een helling van 40 graden in staat betrouwbaar te meten.
...; the sensor provides reliable results up to a surface angle of 40 degrees.
...; the sensor is capable of providing...
I don't think there's anything wrong with Lianne's solution, but when you shorten things (and possibly make them sound better), there is often a risk of slightly changing the original meaning, albeit inadvertently and with the best of intentions.
Today I checked with someone who studies science, and he was inclined to think the kind of language I’ve used is reasonably typical of technical papers.
I think the aim of the description may be not so much to admit a limitation (which could sound negative) as to indicate how the device can achieve its full potential and highest level of accuracy: for best results it needs to be positioned at an angle of no more than 40 degrees relative to the surface being measured. I’m hoping that “delimiting factor” gets that across as a simple statement of fact, without negative implications.
At the end of the sentence, it's probably better to say "not exceeding 40 degrees"
Seems fine to me.
A "delimiting factor" is a "beperkende factor" which dimiminishes (gradual) an effect or result. In this case there is rather a concrete limit (begrenzing) to the usefulness of the tool/instrument. Does that make sense?
The text appears to be taken from a 5-page document describing the instrument in detail. It includes scientific/mathematical terms that would not be easily understood by the average reader.
It's still designed for selling purposes, however, as you say. But perhaps targeted at buyers who are particularly concerned with detail and scientific accuracy. Would you still be inclined to pare it down a bit?