champignon

English translation: parasite

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

French term or phrase:	champignon
English translation:	parasite
Entered by:	Colin Ryan (X)

10:28 Jul 9, 2006

French to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / Le Petit Prince

French term or phrase: champignon

In chapter VII of Le Petit Prince by Saint-Exupery, the little prince calls someone a "champignon" (see extract below). This has been translated as "mushroom" in the official English translation, but I am wondering if there is a deeper social meaning to "champignon" here which would have connotations for a mother tongue French speaker. (Champignon is not explained further in the book.)

All answers appreciated - and thank you!

BEGIN EXTRACT
Il secouait au vent des cheveux tout dorés:
- Je connais une planète où il y a un Monsieur cramoisi. Il n'a jamais respiré une fleur. Il n'a jamais regardé une étoile. Il n'a jamais aimé personne. Il n'a jamais rien fait d'autre que des additions. Et toute la journée il répète comme toi: "Je suis un homme sérieux ! Je suis un homme sérieux !" et ça le fait gonfler d'orgueil. Mais ce n'est pas un homme, c'est un ___champignon___ !
- Un quoi ?
- Un ___champignon___ !
Le petit prince était maintenant tout pâle de colère.
END EXTRACT

PS. This is for an academic essay I am writing on translations.

Colin Ryan (X) KudoZ activity Questions: 438 (none open) (16 closed without grading) Answers: 112
Local time: 07:42

parasite

Explanation:
This is the explanation I found on this site: http://www.richmond.edu/~jpaulsen/petitprince/corriges1-15.h...
Qu'est-ce qu'il a appris chez le businessman ?
QU’A FORCE DE S’ACHARNER À VOULOIR BEAUCOUP DE BIENS POUR S’ENRICHIR, ON FINIT PAR SE RETROUVER SEUL ET SE SENTIR INUTILE…
Le petit prince s'est rendu compte chez le Businessman qu'une occupation doit être utile, qu'on peut posséder si on est utile/ si on sert à ce qu'on posséde.

Le petit prince s'est aussi rendu compte qu'il questionne l'utilité/ la valeur du MATÉRIALISME (= Position philosophique qui considère la matière comme la seule réalité et qui nie l'existence de l'âme, de l'au delà et de Dieu). Il trouve que la philosophie de vouloir être riche pour devenir plus riche fait du Businessman une champignon (=un parasite). C'est le vice de l'avarice/ le vice du matérialisme. Le petit prince se rend compte qu'on doit être utile à ce qu'on possède. C'est la vertu de la générosité.

It seems to be the one that fit best here.

D'autres pistes mais qui me semblent moins adaptées:
http://www.dialogus2.org/PRI/champignon.html
http://www.quia.com/jg/333075list.html

Selected response from:

cocotier
Local time: 07:42

Grading comment

Thank you, Cocotier. Your answer and web links were the most useful for my essay. I wish I could also give points to Sue Levy, whose "fungus" was very useful.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

mushroom (explanation below)

Najib Aloui

3 +1

fungus

Dr Sue Levy (X)

continuation of my note above

Sandra Petch

a vegetable

peekay

parasite

cocotier

toadstool

Charlie Bavington

Discussion entries: 5

Answers

8 mins confidence:

champignon (context) a vegetable

Explanation:
After reading the context I can conclude with certainty that the term "vegetable" is quite a propos but I am not sure how accepted it will be given the subject matter. Although the term describes the situation accurately, it is usually used in "less serious contexts" save for medical situations. Essentially it can be used to denote lack of social skills, social interaction and participations, as well as clinical non-responsiveness. This is why I am convinced it is the former case. Maybe someone out there can find something more fitting.

peekay
Canada
Local time: 01:42
Meets criteria
Native speaker of:

English,

French

18 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

champignon (context) fungus

Explanation:
Biologically, a mushroom is a fungus. In everyday French, "champignon" is used to denote a fungal infection.

Dr Sue Levy (X)
Local time: 07:42
Does not meet criteria
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 27

1 hr confidence:

champignon (context) toadstool

Explanation:
Given the colour of the bloke's face, I have wondered before whether 'toadstool' wouldn't have been a more appropriate translation, since the LP/PP is clearly unimpressed by this fellow and toadstools don't exactly have a flattering reputation in children's literature.

However, I'm afraid I can't shed any light on whether "champignon" (without "vénéneux") could be said to have the same connotation in French to a French native. Just thought I'd chuck the idea in :-)

Charlie Bavington
Local time: 06:42
Does not meet criteria
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 4

3 hrs confidence:

champignon (context)

parasite

cocotier
Local time: 07:42
Meets criteria
Native speaker of:

French
PRO pts in category: 4

Grading comment

Thank you, Cocotier. Your answer and web links were the most useful for my essay. I wish I could also give points to Sue Levy, whose "fungus" was very useful.

Notes to answerer

Asker: Merci, Cocotier! That seems to be the answer. I will wait for others' comments before grading.

Asker: Attends... peut-etre fungus (places the accent on parasite)

3 hrs confidence:

champignon (context) continuation of my note above

Explanation:
I understand your question to be, should "champignon" be translated as "mushroom" or is it open to interpretation? I would say not. Remember that the little prince is a child who sees the world in a different way. He is also a mystery to the narrator, and to the reader. For him to call a person a mushroom is part of this. Each reader then interprets this as they wish (see the variety of comments here).

Sandra Petch
Local time: 07:42
Does not meet criteria
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 8

2 hrs confidence:

champignon (context) mushroom (explanation below)

Explanation:
I think that "mushroom" should absolutely be kept because a mushroom, unlike some vague vegetable or some vague microscopique germ, has a trunk and a head ...It's standing like a man, it looks like a man but is not a man ...Mushrooms don't like the burning heat of the sun, the grandeur of the universe (what life is all about for Saint-Exupéry) ; they prefer obscurity , the obscurity of the accountant, the bureaucrat, the business man ...Mushrooms are also very soft, fragile, ephemeral...They grow very fast and then disappear the next day...They never existed , never lived...

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Note added at 3 hrs (2006-07-09 13:31:36 GMT)
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MICROSCOPIC

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Note added at 1 day2 hrs (2006-07-10 12:43:38 GMT)
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Since it's cliché, smart B.D Finch, it must be very easy to find. I challenge you to find it! Otherwise you'll owe me excuses !

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Note added at 1 day2 hrs (2006-07-10 12:59:14 GMT)
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Smart B.D finch, I am sending you this message by email and everybody here is a witness.

Najib Aloui
Local time: 06:42
Meets criteria
Works in field
Native speaker of:

French
PRO pts in category: 4

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