I need a native speaker of British English to verify an English phrase

[Kenny同志 571]

Have you ever said or heard "rear personnel" so far? If so, is it widely used and understood? And as you understand it, what does it mean?

Many thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,

Kenny

[anonymoose 1,598]

I don't think it is widely used. At least I can't remember ever having heard it. The meaning can probably be understood from the context.

[Kenny同志 571]

Thank you Anonymoose,

In fact, it is provided as the translation for 留守人员 on a webpage. No other context is available.

[elliott50 42]

For me, the phrase "rear personnel" would be used in the context of the military, to mean those members of the armed forces that were not intended to be actually involved in any fighting. But it would be an odd way to see such people described, since the word "personnel" is business jargon and the UK media usually describes armed forces using more heroic military terms.

However, without any context for 留守人员, it is difficult to suggest a better translation since it might carry the wrong connotations (e.g. "rear guard").

[roddy 5,536]

That's the translation the ABC dictionary has, although I can't see I'd use it. Would depend on context really. Skeleton staff might be an option, but that implies the bare minimum of people, which I don't think the Chinese does.

[Kenny同志 571]

Thanks everybody. To me, the meaning of 留守人员 is at least two-fold.

It refers to people who remain with an enterprise or factory that is bankrupt or in danger when most people has left, or people who continue to stay at a particular place (often for a relatively long time and for certain purposes) when most people has left.

It can also refer to women, children, and old people who are left at home in rurual areas while their most able-bodied (in want of a better word) family members work in big cities.

http://www.gzjjjc.gov.cn/lzkx/xxyd/dzkw/2011-c/anjianhuifang/201105/6067.html

http://www.kaixin001.com/repaste/8251292_4455338414.html

http://www.shzgh.org/renda/node4420/node4460/node4462/userobject1ai73399.html

http://news.ifeng.com/gundong/detail_2011_07/09/7596157_0.shtml

check out the links above

[Silent 374]

In fact, it is provided as the translation for 留守人员 on a webpage. No other context is available.

I'm not native, but rear personnel sounds strange to me. I can however imagine it to be used in some contexts. If I had to translate 留守人员 I would translate it as concierge or caretaker. Concierge and caretaker are more widely used then is meant with 留守人员 (as I interpret it).

[Gymnosopher 29]

As a native Brit I can happily say I've never heard this - though am not so hot on military or business jargon. I could dig and see what other people think but then that would be a little disingenuous, right?

[daofeishi 309]

I can't remember to have heard that word before. It sounds like it could be military jargon, which I don't know anything about, but I don't think I would use it in any of the contexts above. I would rewrite the sentence using "workers/family who stay behind" or some other phrase to that effect.

[abcdefg 4,454]

Also consider "rear echelon." (Bear in mind I'm American, not British.)

It means the elements of a force (usually military) which are not required in the forward action area. They are usually concerned with administration and supply duties.

[Kenny同志 571]

Thanks you all for your help. seems "rear personnel" is far from great.