Glossary entry

German term or phrase:

Kummertempel

English translation:

Temple of Solace

Added to glossary by Helen Shiner
Sep 24, 2009 16:37
14 yrs ago
German term

Kummertempel

German to English Other Esoteric practices
"Kummertempel" was part of the name of a column in a German occult magazine in which a magician, in the persona of an elderly, eccentric, but knowledgeable aunt, answered questions sent in by readers.

I know "Kummer" as grief, but I don't get what it means here with "tempel": "Grief temple" makes no sense. How would I translate this, perhaps capturing the whimsical essence I imagine is in the original?

Thanks in advance.
Proposed translations (English)
2 +3 Temple of Solace
3 +1 Wizard's Wisdom World
Change log

Sep 28, 2009 15:18: Helen Shiner Created KOG entry

Discussion

Helen Shiner Sep 24, 2009:
@ Lonnie How about Wise Words from a Wizard Witch? or Wizened Witch?

Proposed translations

+3
11 mins
Selected

Temple of Solace

I think Kummer in such cases equates to our use of 'agony aunts', but temple of agony just sounds scary. Something positive might work better. I guess one could come up with a whole variety of suggestions here.

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Note added at 12 mins (2009-09-24 16:49:59 GMT)
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depends how inventive you are allowed to be...

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Note added at 3 days22 hrs (2009-09-28 15:19:16 GMT) Post-grading
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Thanks for the fun question and the poiints, BrettMN!
Peer comment(s):

agree Lingua.Franca : I really like your solution.
7 mins
Thank you, Lingua.Franca!
agree Rolf Keiser : with LF
14 hrs
Thanks, Goldcoaster
agree Lonnie Legg : Or how about "Solace from the Sorceress"?
18 hrs
That's another good one, Lonnie, thanks!
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you, Helen! Great solution. I also appreciate Lonnie's explanation that "Kummertempel" is likely a play on words of "Kummerecke" and "Kummertante," thus explaining why a literal translation into English doesn't really work. "
+1
1 hr

Wizard's Wisdom World

Helen is definitely right about 'agony aunts', since the term is evidently a play on "Kummerecke" (or by extension to the "Kummertante" counsellor featured there).

But since the fellow's a magician, I thought I'd add a pertinent alternative.
Or if you don't mind something less literal, but even more fitting (and snappier IMO):
Wise Words from the Wizard

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Note added at 18 hrs (2009-09-25 11:17:57 GMT)
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Re wizard: I had overlooked that this magician is an "aunt". But, as Helen has suggested (see discussion entry), using it as an adjective seems fine, so I'll change that to:
"Wise Words from a Wizard Witch".
Peer comment(s):

agree Helen Shiner : Can aunts be wizards or even magicians? Aren't they witches and sorceresses? I am sure we could spend the entire evening coming up with lots of crazy answers to this one! I like your www, might be the right tone, depends how pompous the organ is!!
1 hr
Thanks, Helen. And good point re male gender of wizards.
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