Pootler
Registered User
Hi! I have what might seem like an unusual question. I'm translating a Dutch novel in which Freemasonry features prominently. It's very positive about Freemasonry. The Freemasons in Leiden where it is set even have it on the front page of their website: https://www.vrijmetselaars-leiden.nl/
I'm often stumped by how to translate certain terms from Dutch to English. Usually, careful online research reveals a suitable word or phrase. But I can't find an alternative for this one. Would you be kind enough to help me? it's really important to me that the language I use will seem right to any Freemasons who might read this book.
In Dutch, the lodge room or temple room is referred to as the 'werkplaats' or 'workplace'. Obviously, I've spent a lot of time trying to find a word that matches it in English, but I've not been able to come up with one. I'd assumed that it was specific to Dutch Freemasonry (as some of the texts used at meetings and in rituals are also very different) but the author has put this word into the mouth of an American Freemason at the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. So now I'm wondering if there perhaps IS an equivalent in English. Would you perhaps know what it is? And if not, what would your preferred name for this room be?
Also, weirdly, I can't find a good, common name of the room where you might have a small bar serving alcohol and coffee. I'm sure lodges have different names for this, but what would you call it? Refreshment Lounge, like the name of one of the boards on this site?
I'm often stumped by how to translate certain terms from Dutch to English. Usually, careful online research reveals a suitable word or phrase. But I can't find an alternative for this one. Would you be kind enough to help me? it's really important to me that the language I use will seem right to any Freemasons who might read this book.
In Dutch, the lodge room or temple room is referred to as the 'werkplaats' or 'workplace'. Obviously, I've spent a lot of time trying to find a word that matches it in English, but I've not been able to come up with one. I'd assumed that it was specific to Dutch Freemasonry (as some of the texts used at meetings and in rituals are also very different) but the author has put this word into the mouth of an American Freemason at the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. So now I'm wondering if there perhaps IS an equivalent in English. Would you perhaps know what it is? And if not, what would your preferred name for this room be?
Also, weirdly, I can't find a good, common name of the room where you might have a small bar serving alcohol and coffee. I'm sure lodges have different names for this, but what would you call it? Refreshment Lounge, like the name of one of the boards on this site?