deputy / representative
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deputy
A person who is officially assigned to represent another person (usually a superior) in their absence and take over their duties.
Während der Direktor im Urlaub ist, leitet sein Stellvertreter die Abteilung.
While the director is on vacation, his deputy runs the department.
representative
In an abstract sense, a person or thing that stands in place of something or someone else and represents or symbolizes it.
In dem Roman ist die Hauptfigur ein Stellvertreter für eine ganze verlorene Generation.
In the novel, the main character is a representative of an entire lost generation.
The word is a compound made up of 'Stelle' (position/place) and 'vertreten' (to represent/stand in for). A 'Stellvertreter' (deputy/representative) is therefore literally a person who represents the place of another person.
Mein Chef ist krank, sein Stellvertreter übernimmt heute die Leitung.
My boss is sick; his deputy is taking over management today.
To say whom a person represents, the genitive or the preposition 'von' (of/from) is usually used. The genitive construction is more common in written language.
Frau Meier ist die Stellvertreterin des Abteilungsleiters.
Ms. Meier is the deputy of the department head.
Common verbs in connection with this role are 'zum Stellvertreter ernennen' (to appoint someone deputy), 'als Stellvertreter fungieren' (to act as deputy), or 'jemanden als Stellvertreter einsetzen' (to assign someone as deputy).
Er wurde zum Stellvertreter des Bürgermeisters gewählt.
He was elected deputy mayor.
You can recognize the abstract meaning by the fact that the person does not stand in for another person, but serves as a symbol 'für' (for) a group or an idea. This usage is often found in literary or sociological texts.
Die Figur im Film ist ein Stellvertreter für die Jugend ohne Hoffnung.
The character in the film is a representative of youth without hope.
representative / substitute
Vertreter and Stellvertreter can both replace an absent person. Stellvertreter more specifically refers to an officially appointed substitute, often for a superior. Vertreter is broader and can also simply mean someone who temporarily replaces another person in their position.
Während die Schulleiterin abwesend ist, übernimmt ihr offizieller Stellvertreter ihre Aufgaben.
While the principal is absent, her official deputy is handling her duties.
Während die Lehrerin krank ist, übernimmt ihr Vertreter heute den Unterricht.
While the teacher is ill, her substitute is teaching the class today.
