Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.
You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.
GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:
stroke[s]
French translation:
in Berne's transactional analysis, often not translated; OTW "reconfort"
This question was closed without grading. Reason: Answer found elsewhere
English to French translations [PRO] Psychology / interaction, rewards
English term or phrase:stroke[s]
It's a bit of a problem, and I've already misled my DE>FR colleagues with this - in truth it's an antropomorphic issue: in a cartoon, a cat is unhappy until another cat [happens to be a girl cat] comes and gives him a lick and a headbutt. Getting visibly happier, he bubble thinks "Well, I just need my daily dose of strokes".
The "problem" lies in the dual sense of "strokes" - a caress for a cat, an empowering encouragement for a human. I want to send this cartoon [which is in German, using Streicheleinheiten = strokes] to some francophone people - 2 women among them, so I definitely want to stay within the psychological meaning of the strokes rather than going into physical caresses even though it's about the cats - because I'm really telling them "this is a stressful time and I need your support on a daily basis" [nothing to worry about - stressful just because way too many things to do!]
Can you help? 4 points [and lots of strokes] for the best answer, remember ... :))
Sorry, please do not be offended. It's the first time I use the "do not remind me" feature, and I didn't mean to simply reject everything just like that. In fact, none of the answers are what I need [the technical term in transactional analysis, without which half the fun is lost] but Sophieanne's solution would actually be very good in another, perhaps more "advertising" context. So thank you all but on en a marre du système qui te rappelle tous les jours de donner des points ...
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
11 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
Il suffit d'un geste d'encouragement, et c'est reparti!
Explanation: C'est ce que je vous suggère... Ca laisse le champ libre à l'interprétation (tout le monde comprendra qu'une carresse fait plaisir au chat, et qu'une personne se sentira "remontée" par un encouragement, qu'il s'agisse d'une tape dans le dos ou d'un mot gentil...
Je ne vois pas d'autre mot à part carresse, dont vous ne voulez pas pour les raisons citées plus haut...
Ou "un geste d'encouragement, et c'est reparti"...
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 12 mins (2006-04-03 18:23:42 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
ou encore, "j'avais juste besoin de ma dose de gentillesse quotidienne"...
Sophieanne United States Local time: 02:32 Native speaker of: French, English PRO pts in category: 4
Explanation: I would say ! "tout ce qu'il me faut, c'est juste ma dose quotidienne de mamours"... (it is very tender; refers both to physical and emotional "hugging"...)
I send you some "mamours" qnd hope you'll get through this difficult period...!
Christine Cooreman Greece Local time: 13:32 Specializes in field Native speaker of: Greek, French PRO pts in category: 8
Explanation: This is what I suggest as a commonly used phrase, which could work as an equivalent. Obviously, when saying this, the tom cat feels he is now in a position to get on with life with more confidence.
Diane de Cicco France Local time: 12:32 Native speaker of: English, French PRO pts in category: 4
Ben, j'ai juste besoin de ma petite dose quotidienne de secousses amoureuses...
Explanation: "Stroke" est par définition violent mais en anglais un usage "bourru" en a inversé le sens, comment rendre en français son mariage avec l'amour? "Frissons" peut aussi aider...
Najib Aloui Local time: 11:32 Works in field Native speaker of: French PRO pts in category: 8
Notes to answerer
Asker: [J'ecris sans accents pour eviter la pagaille visuelle] Pas du tout, vous pensez p.e. a "strike", mais ssa ne s'utilise pas comme ssa - plutot "blow". To stroke, c'est caresser, donc stroke = caresse!
The translation workplace 
