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.
French to English translations [Non-PRO] Art/Literary - Government / Politics
French term or phrase:politiquement neutre
Hello, I'm translating a movie script from french to american english
The description of the main character in the french film pitch goes as follows:
"Nasri, Libanais, politiquement neutre, se retrouve tourmenté entre deux partis opposants"
My translation:
"Nasri, Lebanese, politically neutral, finds himself caught between two rival factions."
Im not happy with "politically neutral" sounds a bit heavy, i also thought of "non-poitical"
What the director means is that in Lebanon, almost everyone has a political opinion or engagement, this man however, doesn't.
Thanks for any suggestion
Explanation: Nonpartisan might be one way around the issue.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 45 mins (2011-06-16 07:24:17 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
@Asker: By definition, the term means "unaffiliated with a political party", so I think you can leave it as a stand-alone term.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 hr (2011-06-16 08:31:28 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
I would probably say "a nonpartisan Lebanese man".
Also, is there a reason why you have used "factions" instead of "(political) parties" as the translation for "partis"?
If you prefer to choose between the two options you have given, I would go with the latter but I would say "rival political" rather than "political rival".
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 2 hrs (2011-06-16 08:51:49 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
If they are indeed militias, then "factions" is likely fine. I would use "political factions", however, as otherwise it could be ambiguous.
Both "Lebanese" and "Lebanese man" are acceptable; go with whichever you prefer.
If he's politically engaged but truly neutral, I'd go with your idea of "politically neutral"; if he's truly not interested in politics, maybe "apolitical" might work.
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
1 hr confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
Nasri, a politically neutral Lebanese
Explanation: Normally, you have to reorganise a little...
piazza d France Local time: 18:09 Specializes in field Native speaker of: French
Explanation: Nonpartisan might be one way around the issue.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 45 mins (2011-06-16 07:24:17 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
@Asker: By definition, the term means "unaffiliated with a political party", so I think you can leave it as a stand-alone term.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 hr (2011-06-16 08:31:28 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
I would probably say "a nonpartisan Lebanese man".
Also, is there a reason why you have used "factions" instead of "(political) parties" as the translation for "partis"?
If you prefer to choose between the two options you have given, I would go with the latter but I would say "rival political" rather than "political rival".
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 2 hrs (2011-06-16 08:51:49 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
If they are indeed militias, then "factions" is likely fine. I would use "political factions", however, as otherwise it could be ambiguous.
Both "Lebanese" and "Lebanese man" are acceptable; go with whichever you prefer.
Jocelyne S France Local time: 18:09 Specializes in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 43
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks for your suggestion. Do you think I should specify that the character is politically nonpartisan or is the term poltically specific?
Asker: Using this term may change the sentence structure, it gets a bit confusing, would definitely appreciate it if you let me know which of the two sentences looks best to you:
1-Nasri, Lebanese, nonpartisan, finds himself caught between two rival factions.
2-Nasri, Lebanese, nonpartisan, finds himself caught between two political rival factions.
Thanks a lot for your time
Asker: The reason I chose "factions" is that the two parties are also militias fighting a civil war, so it sounded more appropriate, would you agree?
Also "Nasri, a nonpartisan lebanese" sounds smoother than "Nasri, a nonpartisan lebanese man" or do you think it's better to mention that he's a man?
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +5
