mouthpiece / speaking trumpet
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mouthpiece
A person, group, or medium (e.g. a newspaper) that publicly represents and spreads the opinions and views of another, usually larger group or organization.
Der Gewerkschaftsführer versteht sich als Sprachrohr der Arbeiter.
The union leader sees himself as the mouthpiece of the workers.
speaking trumpet
A funnel-shaped device for amplifying the voice, formerly used especially in shipping to communicate over greater distances.
Im Museum war ein altes Sprachrohr aus Messing ausgestellt, das von einem Kapitän stammte.
An old brass speaking trumpet that had belonged to a captain was on display in the museum.
The word is made up of 'Sprache' (language/speech) and 'Rohr' (tube, funnel). This composition explains both the literal meaning as a sound amplifier and the figurative meaning as a mediator of opinions.
Die Zeitung sieht sich als Sprachrohr der Bürger.
The newspaper sees itself as the mouthpiece of the citizens.
You can recognize the figurative meaning from the context of politics, media, and expressing opinions. The literal, historical meaning is usually found in maritime or museum contexts.
Der Verband dient als Sprachrohr für kleine Unternehmen.
The association serves as a mouthpiece for small businesses.
In the figurative meaning, the constructions 'das Sprachrohr für jemanden/etwas sein' (to be the mouthpiece for someone/something) or 'als Sprachrohr für jemanden/etwas dienen' (to serve as the mouthpiece for someone/something) are often used.
Diese Organisation ist das offizielle Sprachrohr für die Interessen der Studenten.
This organization is the official mouthpiece for the interests of the students.
The literal meaning of a sound funnel is now almost only relevant historically or in museums. It describes an object that is hardly used anymore.
Im Schifffahrtsmuseum kann man alte Sprachrohre besichtigen.
In the maritime museum, you can view old speaking trumpets.
representative / substitute
A Vertreter can generally act on behalf of an organization or represent it to the outside world. A Sprachrohr, by contrast, has the particular task of publicly communicating and spreading its opinions and views. Use Vertreter for general representation, and Sprachrohr for publicly communicating an organization’s positions.
Das Sprachrohr der Organisation verbreitete ihre neue Position in den Medien.
The organization’s mouthpiece spread its new position through the media.
Der Vertreter der Organisation nahm an dem Treffen mit der Stadt teil.
The organization’s representative attended the meeting with the city.
