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    affect vs. influence

    10­ Replies
    Topic

    affect vs. influence

    Comment
    What is the difference in meaning between affect and influence in the following example, if any? Which one would be more appropriate? (German sentence that I want to translate: Auf japanischen Bahnsteigen beeinflussen Bodenmarkierungen die Positionen der wartenden Fahrgäste):
     
    A: On Japanese train station platforms, floor markers affect the positions of the waiting passengers.
    B: On Japanese train station platforms, floor markers influence the positions of the waiting passengers.
    Author Rio65trio (1230287) 29 Apr 18, 05:44
    Comment
    influence.

    My suggestions here:

    On Japanese train station platforms, floor markers influence the positions of the waiting passengers.
    #1AuthorHappyWarrior (964133) 29 Apr 18, 05:59
    Comment
    Thank you! Can you say why you prefer influence here (sense of language or different meaning of the words?)
    #2Author Rio65trio (1230287) 29 Apr 18, 07:58
    Comment
    I'm actually not sure I would use either one in your context. I might say something like

    In Japanese train stations / On Japanese train platforms, floor markings ...
    ... guide / direct passengers to the correct location for boarding.
    ... show passengers where to walk and where to stand.

    (If that's what you mean. It might help to know exactly what the floor markings say.)

    (I would use 'marker' for a physical object like a reflective disc by the side of the road, but 'marking' for text or arrows painted on the floor.)

    I would use 'influence' in subjective contexts where people have to make a decision or a choice that involves opinion or belief. E.g., 'Political advertising may influence voters.'

    I would use 'affect' in objective contexts where an external force causes an empirically observable change. E.g., 'Climate change may affect the intensity of storms.'
    #3Author hm -- us (236141) 29 Apr 18, 08:22
    Comment

    Das sehe ich wie hm--us. Mir gefallen die Verben 'influence' oder 'affect' hier beide gar nicht. (Auch, weil ich bei 'to affect' immer an einen eher harmful influence denken muss.)

    Evtl. aber was in Richtung:

    "floor markings have an effect on (where passengers stand)"? Wohlgemerkt: 'effect'.

    Dann ist der "passive Einfluss", den du m.E. meinst, untergebracht. (Bei den Vorschlägen von hm--us kommt das eher nicht so raus.)

    #4AuthorBraunbärin (757733) 29 Apr 18, 11:23
    Comment
    Vielen Dank. Verben wie guide / direct sind in diesem Fall sicher spezifischer (führen/lenken), aber ich suche speziell die Übersetzung für beeinflussen, im Sinne von die Markierungen beeinflussen das Positionierungsverhalten der wartenden Fahrgäste.
    #5Author Rio65trio (1230287) 29 Apr 18, 17:18
    Comment
    In meiner #4 habe ich einen entsprechenden Vorschlag gegeben... - der müsste gehen
    #6AuthorBraunbärin (757733) 29 Apr 18, 17:42
    Comment
    If you insist on that not very good wording, then I would say 'affect the positioning,' because 'influence' needs an object that can think or decide, like a person, a person's mind, or a conscious choice.

    But again, I can't really approve of the choice of words in the first place. 'Affect the positioning (behavior)'? Sorry, that kind of jargon only sounds like pseudo-science to me.
    #7Author hm -- us (236141) 29 Apr 18, 18:44
    Comment
    Neither of the words makes proper sense in the given context. But given that you are translating an equally dubious German sentence, I would say 'influence'. (I would prefer to say: 'appear to influence' or, alternatively, 'are intended to influence.) Incidentally, I see no reason for the definite article.
    #8Author escoville (237761) 29 Apr 18, 19:25
    Comment
    Yes (as already stated in #1), I also think "influence" is a good choice.

    While I tend to agree with the general point made in hm--us's statement in #7 that "'influence' needs an object that can think or decide, like a person, a person's mind, or a conscious choice," I'll point out that we do have people making the decisions in #0.


    floor markers influence the positions of the waiting passengers.
    #9AuthorHappyWarrior (964133) 29 Apr 18, 23:18
    Comment
    PS re #7 and #9.

    Artists, home decorators, and other connoisseurs of colors often speak/write of how one color influences how another color looks. (I have noticed this myself when playing with my paints.) So, I'd say the word "influence" can be used in a wide variety of contexts.
    #10AuthorHappyWarrior (964133) 29 Apr 18, 23:31
     
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