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French to English translations [PRO] Tech/Engineering - Materials (Plastics, Ceramics, etc.) / stone worktops
French term or phrase:plaque
Dimensions : plaque évier (70 x 180) / plaque cuisson (133.5 x 67) / plaque plan de travail 1 (66.5 x 54.5) / plaque plan de travail 2 (265 x 70 du coté gauche et 31.5 coté droit).
I am not sure of the best translation of the word 'plaque' in this context. I am not sure if they are referring to the sink / hob cut outs or the stone surrounding them. And how do I differentiate between worktop (plan de travail) and 'plaque plan de travail'? Is it simply 'worktop' too?
Explanation: Since your text is clearly using 'plaque' to refer to the material from which it is made, and 'plan de travail' to describe the function it fulfils, I think it's quite important to maintain that distinction n your translation.
Although I think 'slab' sounds a little odd, I honestly can't think what else we would call a 'slab of stone'... though you may need to research UK kitchen stone suppliers to see if there isn't perhaps a specific term used in the trade?
Thank you all for your answers. Although I'm still not 100% sure about this one, I went with Tony's suggestion in the end. It's the translation that best fits my context in any case. Thanks, Tony! 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
Thanks for your answers, Tony. They are solid slabs of stone - marble, etc. Not reconstituted anyway. Slab is one idea. I've been looking on UK websites but still haven't really found anything I'm happy with. Would slab work with the sink and hob bit though? Sink slab for the stone surrounding the sink cut out - would that work? I'm going to look at more websites now :)
Thanks again,
Since you have headed this 'stone', I assume that 'plaque' refers to the form (i.e. a slab of stone) while 'plan de travail' refers to the function (i.e. what is is used for).
I'm not quite sure how we would make the same distinction in EN: I feel inclined to say 'slab' (of stone), but that sounds a bit rough-and-ready! Perhaps you will find enlightenment from some UK stone worktop manufacturers' sites? BTW, are these solid, natural stone, or reconstituted stone?
From the dimensions given, I would say it is extremely likely these are the actual worktops in which the appliances are being fitted: 70 cm is a pretty normal width for a worktop, but would be unusually deep for a sink unit. And note that they are all (more or less) the same width, which might be a second clue.
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Answers
6 hrs confidence:
worktop
Explanation: I believe you can use worktop both for "plaque" and for "plaque plan de travail" (chech out the pictures in the link below)
Annie Rigler Local time: 09:01 Native speaker of: French
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks very much, Annie. To be honest, it's more the translation of 'plaque évier' and 'plaque cuisson' that I was wondering about. In reality, there is not much difference between 'worktop' and 'worktop slab'. But I feel I need to make a distinction because they talk about 'plan de travail' a lot in my text (without the 'plaque' bit!). I think Tony's suggestions of using slab might cover them in any case. Thanks again, Sheila.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 11 hrs (2010-07-30 18:55:07 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
O.K., Sheila. Thanks for commenting. That's why I put a low confidence level.
clain Local time: 04:01 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 12
Notes to answerer
Asker: Hi Clanola, thanks for your answer!! The ones in my text are solid stone - slabs. The ones in the pictures you referenced are mosaics, which is not quite the same thing. At least not what I'm after here. Thanks again for your help! Sheila
Explanation: Since your text is clearly using 'plaque' to refer to the material from which it is made, and 'plan de travail' to describe the function it fulfils, I think it's quite important to maintain that distinction n your translation.
Although I think 'slab' sounds a little odd, I honestly can't think what else we would call a 'slab of stone'... though you may need to research UK kitchen stone suppliers to see if there isn't perhaps a specific term used in the trade?
Tony M France Local time: 10:01 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 136
Grading comment
Thank you all for your answers. Although I'm still not 100% sure about this one, I went with Tony's suggestion in the end. It's the translation that best fits my context in any case. Thanks, Tony!
The translation workplace 
