Vorführung/Aufführung

B. T.

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Jun 30, 2007, 10:59:52 AM6/30/07

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Are the two words interchangeable?

Thanks!

Helmut Richter

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Jun 30, 2007, 12:07:54 PM6/30/07

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On Sat, 30 Jun 2007, B. T. wrote:

> Vorführung/Aufführung
>
> Are the two words interchangeable?

No. When you compare the entries in your dictionary, what difference in
meaning will you infer?

--
Helmut Richter

B. T.

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Jun 30, 2007, 12:23:51 PM6/30/07

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My Langenscheidts German-Chinese dictionary explains the two words
in German as followed:

Aufführung: ein künstliches Stück, das aufgeführt wird.
Vorführen: dem Publikum etwas zeigen -> Vorführung

They are translated into the same Chinese words.

Helmut Richter

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Jun 30, 2007, 12:54:36 PM6/30/07

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On Sat, 30 Jun 2007, B. T. wrote:

> My Langenscheidts German-Chinese dictionary explains the two words
> in German as followed:
>
> Aufführung: ein künstliches Stück, das aufgeführt wird.
> Vorführen: dem Publikum etwas zeigen -> Vorführung

One difference is the ending: -en ist a verbal noun ("performing", the act
of performing), -ung is more of a real noun ("performance"). This holds
for both words: aufführen/vorführen (verbs) -- das Aufführen/Vorführen
(verbal nouns) -- die Aufführung/Vorführung (nouns). Verbal nouns are more
difficult to use correctly; avoid them if unsure.

Now the difference in meaning: it is exactly as the dictionary says.
"aufführen" is performing a piece of art, typically music or theatre.
"vorführen" is demonstrating something, as for showing or explaining it.

The German word "künstlich" (artificial) comes from "Kunst" (art) but the
two meanings have separated over time, just as in English. "Kunst" means
only art (music, theatre, painting, ...), "künstlich" means only
artificial as distinct from naturally grown, compositions with "Kunst-"
can mean either, e.g. "Kunstwerk" (artwork), "Kunstherz" (artificial
heart). So "künstliches Stück" is not correct, and unfortunately
"Kunststück" (feat, trick) does not work either. You can say "Musikstück"
or "Theaterstück" but there is no word which can mean both.

> They are translated into the same Chinese words.

I see.

--
Helmut Richter

Paul Schmitz-Josten

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Jun 30, 2007, 1:57:03 PM6/30/07

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Helmut Richter in
<Pine.LNX.4.63.07...@lxhri01.lrz.lrz-muenchen.de>:

<snip>

>Now the difference in meaning: it is exactly as the dictionary says.
>"aufführen" is performing a piece of art, typically music or theatre.
>"vorführen" is demonstrating something, as for showing or explaining it.

<snap>

Let me add that a "Vorführung" may be the right word for showing a movie.

Ciao,

Paul

Oliver Cromm

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Jun 30, 2007, 11:28:39 PM6/30/07

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On Sat, 30 Jun 2007 18:54:36 +0200, Helmut Richter wrote:

> The German word "künstlich" (artificial) comes from "Kunst" (art) but the
> two meanings have separated over time, just as in English. "Kunst" means
> only art (music, theatre, painting, ...), "künstlich" means only
> artificial as distinct from naturally grown,

And an adejktive that relates to "Kunst" is "künstlerisch", but it
doesn't fit into your context either.

> compositions with "Kunst-"
> can mean either, e.g. "Kunstwerk" (artwork), "Kunstherz" (artificial
> heart). So "künstliches Stück" is not correct, and unfortunately
> "Kunststück" (feat, trick) does not work either. You can say "Musikstück"
> or "Theaterstück" but there is no word which can mean both.

A word that can mean both would be "Werk" (opus).

Man kann vorführen: ein Produkt, ein Kunststück (siehe oben) oder einen
Film (danke Paul).

--
Oliver C.