Translation of “sollen“ and “lassen”

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1 Translation of “sollen“ and “lassen”
TU Dresden Fakultät Sprach-, Literatur- und Kulturwissenschaften Seminar: Advanced Translation WS 12/13 Lecturer: Eva Stahlheber Maria Lange, Constanze König

2 sollen should had better it is said that shall ought to sb is said to supposed to

3 “sollen“ – “should” a) you should do something  give advice or to give an opinion = recommendations Ex.: You look tired. You should go to bed. The government should do more to reduce crime. “must“ = stronger Ex.: You should apologise. (It would be a good thing to do.) You must apologise./You have to apologise. (You have no alternative.)

4 b) something is not right/what you expect; to say that we expect something to happen
Ex.:The price on this packet is wrong. It should be £4.50, not £5.50. Should have done  You didn’t do it, but it would have been right Ex.:You missed a great party last night. You should have come. Why didn’t you? You shouldn’t have done something.  You did it, but it was wrong Ex.: I’m feeling sick. I shouldn’t have eaten so much.

5 c) should in the if-clause
Ex.: If Henry should phone while I’m out, tell him I’ll call back later. “If Henry should phone” is similar to “If Henry phones”  should (when the speaker feels that the possibility is smaller) Ex.: We have no jobs at present, but if the situation should change, we’ll let you know.

6 d) ought to do instead of should in the examples named previously ought to  particularly in speech, refers to an obligation Ex.: Do you think I ought to apply for this job? It was a great party last night. You ought to have come.

7 e) use should/would to give advice with “I”
Ex.: I should leave early tomorrow, if I were you.  formal British English f) should in questions that are offers, request confirmation or advice Ex.: Should I phone a taxi for you?  shall can be also used in sentences like this

8 “sollen“ – “had better (not) do“
It is advisable to do it. If I don’t do it, there will be a problem or a danger. Ex.: Shall I take an umbrella? - Yes, you had better take one. It might rain. We had better stop for petrol soon. The tank is almost empty. You don’t look very well. You’d better not go to work today. Meaning of had better = present or future

9 “had better” vs. “should”
 similar, but not exactly the same. Had better Specific situations There is always a danger/problem if you don’t follow the advice. Should used in all types of situations to give an opinion or advice  it’s a good thing to do It’s late. You’d better go. /It’s late. You should go. (specific situation) You’re always at home. You should go out more often. (in general) The film starts at You had better go now or you’ll be late. It’s a great film. You should go and see it. ( no problem if you don’t.)

10 “sollen” – “it is said that sb …/ sb is said to be …
used with a number of verbs (said, alleged, believed, considered, known, expected, thought, reported, understood) often used in news reports Ex.: It is reported that two people were injured in the explosion.  Two people are reported to have been injured in the explosion. It is said that she is 99 years old.  She is said to be 99 years old.

11 “sollen” - (be) supposed to
Sometimes “supposed to …” = “said to …” Ex.: I want to read this book. It’s supposed to be good. (= it is said to be good) Tom is supposed to have stolen a car, but I don’t believe it.

12 “sollen” - (be) supposed to
intention, arrangement, expectation Ex.: It is supposed to be a secret, but everybody knows about. Lizzy was supposed to phone me yesterday, but she didn’t. Not supposed to do something = it is not allowed or advisable Ex.: You’re not supposed to park your car here. It’s private parking only. This door is a fire exit. You’re not supposed to use it.

13 “sollen” – “shall” a) to ask somebody’s opinion, esp. in offers or suggestions used in questions Mostly: ”Shall I …?/ Shall we … ?” Ex.: Shall I open the window? (Do you want me to open the window?) I’ve got no money. What shall I do? (What do you suggest?)

14 “sollen” – “shall” b) instead of will-future in formal British English
normally only used with “I” and “we” In spoken English “will” is preferred The negative of shall = shall not or shan’t Ex.: I shall be late this evening. (I will be late this evening.) I shan’t be here tomorrow. (I won’t be here tomorrow.)

15 Lassen let/let‘s make have/get phrases

16 „lassen“ - Let/ Let‘s a) As imperative: suggest or demand Ex.: Let‘s play a new game!  Lasst uns… or Ich schlage vor, dass… Ex.: Let him do all the work this time.  Lass ihn… or Fordere ihn auf, …

17 b) With bare infinitive: allow
Ex.: Mom never lets us have sweets before dinner.  Mutter lässt uns nie… or Mutter erlaubt uns nie, … c) With infinitive passive: admit (zulassen) Ex.: The guards let the money be stolen.  Die Wächter ließen zu, dass das Geld gestohlen wurde.

18 „lassen“ - make a) With bare infinitive: compel (veranlassen, zwingen) Ex.: He always makes us do homework.  Er lässt uns immer ... Or Er veranlasst/ zwingt uns immer, ...

19 „lassen“ - have/ get a) causative/ passive: cause sb to do sth Ex.: I have/get my car washed. (past participle) b) Assign so/ active similar to let Ex.: Have the next patient come in. Mom had her daughter do the dishes.

20 Phrases for “lassen“ There are several phrasal translations for “lassen“ that we need to learn by heart. If you cannot match the meaning of “lassen” to the rules of let/make/have, you will need to use phrases. Ex.: sich scheiden lassen = to divorce sb  More phrases in the exercises ^^

21 Exercises – Error Correction
Two students are talking to each other before the lesson. One says: Oh no, I‘ve just found the worksheet on “false friends”. Should we do it for today?  Were we supposed to do it for today? I let my hair cut yesterday.  I had my hair cut yesterday. My brother is always chatting on the Internet, but he never goes out to see friends. I told him that he shall go out more often.  I told him that he should go out more often.

22 Exercises - Translation
You and a friend want to do something at the weekend, but you don’t know what. You ask your friend: Was sollen wir am Wochenende machen?  What shall/should we do at the weekend? You received the bill from Zalando one month ago, but you haven’t paid it yet. You say to yourself: Ich sollte die Rechnung lieber bald bezahlen.  I had better pay the bill soon.

23 I’m sorry for what I said. I was trying to be funny
I’m sorry for what I said. I was trying to be funny. Es sollte ein Scherz sein.  It was supposed to be a joke. I was driving behind another car. Suddenly, the driver in front stopped without warning and I drove into the back of his car. It wasn’t my fault. Er hätte nicht so plötzlich anhalten sollen.  He shouldn‘t have stopped so suddenly.

24 Der Doktor lässt sie entscheiden, ob sie ihren Weisheitszahn ziehen lässt.
 The doctor lets her decide if she wants to have her wisdom tooth pulled. Lasst uns nicht streiten. Wir können ja niemanden zwingen, Spaß zu haben.  Let’s not fight. We cannot make anyone have fun.

25 Lass es ihn diesmal ordentlich machen
Lass es ihn diesmal ordentlich machen. Ich möchte ihn das nicht noch einmal machen lassen.  Have him do it/ Let him do it properly this time. I don’t want to make him do it again. (Let as demand) Er lässt mich nie fernsehen, wenn Fußball kommt. Das lasse ich mir nicht mehr gefallen!  He never lets me watch TV when soccer is on. I will not put up with it anymore!

26 Phrases for “lassen“ to have a tooth pulled/out - sich den Zahn ziehen lassen to grow your beard - sich einen Bart wachsen lassen to keep so waiting - jmd warten lassen to leave sth be - etwas sein lassen to put up with sth - sich etwas gefallen lassen to divorce so - sich scheiden lassen to drain sth - etw ablaufen (z.B. Wasser) lassen

27 Sources Berry, Darcy Bruce. Pons Grammatikheft Englisch. Kurz und Bündig. London et al.: Ernst Klett Sprachen Stuttgart, 2005. Murphy, Raymond. English Grammar in Use. A self-study reference and practice book for intermediate students of English. Cambridge: CUP, 2006. Murphy, Raymond. Essential Grammar in Use. A self- study reference and practice for beginners. Cambridge: CUP, 2007. Murphy, Raymond. Advanced Grammar in Use. A self- study reference and practice book for advanced students of English. Cambridge: CUP, 2005.