Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
efficiency gains
English answer:
b) we will learn what are the benefits from energy efficiency (e.g. the costs are lower because we use less energy) and then act
Added to glossary by
Yasutomo Kanazawa
Mar 8, 2009 16:41
15 yrs ago
20 viewers *
English term
efficiency gains
English
Bus/Financial
Economics
This seems such a simple term, but unfortunately I have not been able to find an authoritative and reliable definition.
I have noticed that in Latvian translations there is a general confusion about the term, and there are two interpretations:
1) efficiency gains = improvements of efficiency
2) efficiency gains = benefits one gets after increasing efficiency.
Sometimes people want to be on the safe side and just use a meaningless word for word translation.
For example, a sentence:
Understanding of energy use [of equipment] will enable further energy-efficiency gains to be identified and achieved by the sector.
Does it mean:
a) we will learn what are the ways to improve energy efficiency of the product (i.e. as a result it will consume less energy), and then act accordingly;
or
b) we will learn what are the benefits from energy efficiency (e.g. the costs are lower because we use less energy) and then act accordingly.
I would be very grateful for your explanations and especially for references to any dictionaries, books etc.
Thanks a lot in advance!
I have noticed that in Latvian translations there is a general confusion about the term, and there are two interpretations:
1) efficiency gains = improvements of efficiency
2) efficiency gains = benefits one gets after increasing efficiency.
Sometimes people want to be on the safe side and just use a meaningless word for word translation.
For example, a sentence:
Understanding of energy use [of equipment] will enable further energy-efficiency gains to be identified and achieved by the sector.
Does it mean:
a) we will learn what are the ways to improve energy efficiency of the product (i.e. as a result it will consume less energy), and then act accordingly;
or
b) we will learn what are the benefits from energy efficiency (e.g. the costs are lower because we use less energy) and then act accordingly.
I would be very grateful for your explanations and especially for references to any dictionaries, books etc.
Thanks a lot in advance!
Responses
| 4 | b) |
Yasutomo Kanazawa
|
Change log
Mar 13, 2009 02:17: Yasutomo Kanazawa Created KOG entry
Responses
8 mins
Yasutomo Kanazawa
Japan
Japan
Japan
Scientia est potentia
Native in: Japanese 
Works in: English to Japanese, German to Japanese, Italian to Japanese, and 3 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
6
Selected
b)
My interpretation is that we will learn what are the benefits from energy efficiency (e.g. the costs are lower because we use less energy) and then act accordingly. I think gain here is to learn how to save on energy, for example, by introducing thicker walls in the house, keep the door closed when the heater or the air conditioner is on, etc. and that would keep the room either warm or cool, and can save energy. Gain in this case can mean both money and knowledge.
2 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks to everyone!"
Discussion
Suppose the sample sentence was "Understanding of energy use has enabled us to identify the energy-efficiency gains we have achieved over the last two years by doing X." In that case, energy-efficiency gains have already been achieved and meaning (2) or (b) would fit better.
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