April, 2007

French / Libération / Quotes / Translations — No Comments
30
Apr 07

De fil en aiguille

Source: Libération, Vendredi 20 Avril 2007

In the article entitled “Paris Match”, Cécilia et les rumeurs, I came across the epxression “de fil en aiguille”:

Et puis, de fil en aiguille, l’utilisation incontrôlée des moyens de l’Etat pour protéger la jeune fille, utilisation d’autant plus incontrôlée que la presse faisait silence, aboutit au scandale des écoutes téléphoniques.

The expression “de fil en aiguille” means:

One thing leading to another, gradually

Hence we can translate:

And then, one thing leading to another, the unchecked use of state resources to protect the girl, all the more unchecked due to the silence of the press, led to the telephone tapping scandal.

French / Libération / Quotes / Translations — No Comments
29
Apr 07

Pomme de Discorde

Source: Libération, Vendredi 20 Avril 2007

In the article entitled Bayrou-Royal, les programmes à la loupe, I came across the expression “pomme de discorde”:

Sept sujets de société passés en revue: entre convergences et pommes de discorde.

“Une pomme discorde” can be translated as:

Bone of contention

Hence the whole phrase above can be translated as:

Seven public policy issues were reviewed: with both convergences and bones of contention.

French / Libération / Quotes / Translations — No Comments
27
Apr 07

Coupes en pétard

Source: Libération, Vendredi 13 Avril 2007

In the article entitled Femmes de Foot, I came across the expression “coupes en pétard”.

Epouses dsicrètes, illustres inconnues et coupes en pétard.

The word “coupe” means haircut. “Une coupe en pétard” means:

Dishevelled, mussed hair

Hence the whole sentence can be translated as:

Discrete wives, unknown indivdiuals with dishevelled hair.

French / Translations — No Comments
27
Apr 07

Une Surenchère

In the context of the French Presidential elections, I keep coming across the word “surenchère”. Whilst I understand the meaning of this word in its entirety, I have been struggling to find an english equivalent that carries across the meaning well. Here are some possibilities:

Overbid, higher bid, overstatement, oneupmanship; escalation

Here are some contextual examples of the word:

J’ai enfin réussi à faire une surenchère sur Paul – I finally succeeded in outbidding Paul.

Il est roi de la surenchère – He’s the king of overstatement.

Je préfère que tu ne fasses pas de surenchère – I prefer that you don’t play at oneupmanship.

To sum up, the word surenchère is generally used figuratively – in the sense of one person always trying to outdo another. If one person proposes one thing, the other feels he/she has to beat it.

Hopefully I’ll add to this post as I find more examples and meanings. Has anybody got any other suggestions for good translations?

French / Quotes / Translations / Websites — No Comments
26
Apr 07

Composer avec

Source: Des Photos Et Puis Quoi Encore?

Whilst reading the article entitled Quai Voltaire, I came across the expression “composer avec”:

Une fois l’ex-président emménagé, ils devront également composer avec “le bruit et l’odeur”.

The expression “composer avec” means:

To make do with, to deal with

Hence we can translate the whole sentence as:

Once the ex-president has moved in, they will also have to make do with the “noise and smell”.

French / Libération / Quotes / Translations — No Comments
25
Apr 07

Illustre Inconnu

Source: Libération, Vendredi 13 Avril 2007

In the article entitled Femmes de Foot, I came across the expression “illustre inconnu”.

Epouses discètes, illustres inconnues et coupes en pétard. Rien de très sexy.

The expression “illustre inconnu” means (depending on context):

A nobody who pretends to be somebody, an unknown individual, an unknown quantity, a nobody, a dark horse

Hence we can translate the whole sentence as:

Discrete wives, unknown individuals with dishevelled hair.

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