concern about

[jasonlulu_2000]

"German philosopher Hegel once said: A nation is hopeless unless it has people who concern about and look up the stars in space."

The above sentence is from the Internet.

But I doubt whether the sentence is naturally written. Is "concern about" used correctly?

Thanks!

Jason

 

[bhaisahab]

"GermanphilosopherHegeloncesaid: Anation is hopelessunless ithaspeople whoconcern aboutand look up the stars in space."

The above sentence is from the Internet.

But I doubt whether the sentence is naturally written. Is "concern about" used correctly?

Thanks!

Jason

No, it's not natural. I'd say it's a poor translation from German. (not a speaker of German)

 

[jasonlulu_2000]

What is a natural version?

 

[MikeNewYork]

I don't know. My guess is that he was saying that people should pay attention to things that are bigger/more important than they are.

 

[emsr2d2]

If you can find the quote in German, you could post it in the Other Languages section of the forum and see what a German speaker makes of it.

 

[Barb_D]

"German philosopher Hegel once said: A nation is hopeless unless it has people who concern about and look up the stars in space."

Keeping as close to these words as possibe: ... unless it has people who are concerned about, and look up at, the stars.

The commas on either side of "and look up at" are optional and used them as a matter of style.

I tried of find any trace of this quote on the Internet. It appears Kant had an interest in the stars. I wonder about the source of your quote.


Note: This post has been edited to fix a preposition that was a poor choice, as pointed out in the following post.

 

[emsr2d2]

In BrE, "... people who are concerned about, and look up at, the stars" would be more natural. "To look up to" is usually used to denote respect.

 

[Barb_D]

Yes, I totally agree with you and can only attribute my "to" to a brain cramp. I will edit with appropriate clarification.

 

[SoothingDave]

Maybe "concern themselves with"?