undismantlable?

Hello,

I am a translator, a writer of sorts I'd like to think. Maybe not. A glorified cross-cultural paraphraser perhaps?

Anyway, there is a word in Japanese (an adjective) that describes something that is a type of object that cannot be dismantled. (They have a word for everything, great language)

(If you have asian fonts installed) It's this 非分解式, which literally translates to:
non(非)-dismantle(分解)-type(式).

I've gone and called that "undismantlable." Am I just making up a word?

"The undismantlable SRS airbag is built into the ... "

Does this sound odd to you? Too many syllables!?

Thank you in advance!

 

indivisible? nondivisible? Both are apparently valid.

 

Perhaps the correct translation would be indestructible

and yes 'undismantlable' sounds odd.

if dismantlable were a valid word, you could use it (although not sure about formal use) 'un' as prefix with a dash 'un-dismantlable' but, 'dismantlable' is not valid.

 

^^ That means that you can't break it, not that you can't divide it up

Do you mean 'fixed'? As in, fixed / moving / detachable parts of a machine? Otherwise, why would you want to say an item can't be separated into its components?

 

I get that 'indestructible' is not the exact meaning, but usually while translating from one language to another the exact translation is not always the correct translation. I still think the word he is looking for is 'indestructible' or 'unbreakable'...... but I may be wrong because I have no clue about Japanese

 

In your context, I would use 'sealed'. It isn't a direct translation, but it conveys that it isn't serviceable except through replacement of the complete unit. It can be clarified elsewhere, if necessary.

 

I am also an interpreter by profession and I would have to say that of the suggestions provided, Cogito's is the best.

Remember that word-for-word translations are not always possible and can often lead to translations that mislead or are simply incorrect.

If the idea is {this thing cannot be taken apart} then sealed is a good word.

Perhaps something like: The sealed unit of the SRS bag is built into the....

It is the correct idea you must convey, not necessarily the exact wording.

 

I agree.

 

I would say that 'sealed' only works if it is a container of some kind that has been sealed shut, or if it is an object that has joins or seams that are welded/sealed in some way during manufacture. It would not work if the item is only made up of one part.

 

An airbag is a package assembly containing an explosive charge, so it is a sealed, non-serviceable unit.

 

And just in case anyone doubts this:

Here is a Honda unit



And here is a VW unit:

 

That just about wraps it up, then...

 

i'd use 'tamper-proof' or something similar instead of just 'sealed' which doesn't really deal with the idea of it being made so it can't be disabled, or dismantled...

 

Unfortunately, it doesn't prevent tampering at all. Most of the tampering consists of either disconnecting the module from the car's wiring, or by installing a replacement that was previously delpoyed, but has been reassembled to appear new, and is in fact inert.

They aren't even described as tamper-proof or tamper-resistant, but they are marked as a unit which cannot be serviced much the same as a computer power supply. It can be repaired and reconditioned by the manufacturer, but is not intended to be serviced by anyone other than the original manufacturer. Automotive repair shops are forbidden to open the unit or disturb the seals.

 

I think in the context used:

"The undismantlable non-serviceable SRS airbag is built into the ... "

non-serviceable would be the most accurate word because that is a common term used to refer to to such parts of a vehicles that cannot be repaired. I don't think "sealed" adequately conveys what is being described. It's close, though.

 

that's what i was getting at, garmar...

 

Wow!

This is a great forum. Glad I signed up.

Thank you everyone for your input. There are so many great ideas here but I think I might go with non-serviceable or sealed.

@Wreybies: Certainly. Especially with languages/cultures as different as Japanese and English. I just had this strange idea that 'undismantlable' was a word. (It was just before home-time on a friday night!)

Again, thanks everyone!

 

to keep to that meaning exactly, you could just say it 'cannot be dismantled'...

 

Ever-mantled.

 

It certainly wouldn't be wrong, but "cannot be dismantled" might be a bit unwieldy considering how many times it pops up throughout the document.

Still, it's only a draft and before I give it to the customer I'll take everyone's comments into consideration.

Thank you!

 

In automotive tech manuals and recall bulletins the airbag is referred to as "non-serviceable". It's an industry term and would definitely be what the company that's contracting this translation would want - not an exact translation of the word(s). It is of course a sealed unit but that's not how it's described in industry terms. A quick Google search will verify this and I have many years of experience as an auto mechanic to say with confidence that the term the OP is looking for is "non-serviceable".

 

Thank you!

That sounds like a very convincing case. I ended up putting "non-serviceable" into the document.

Thank you!

 

sounds good to me, too!