grands corps malades

English translation: vast ailing entities

08:48 Apr 27, 2008

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

French term or phrase: grands corps malades

From an artist on a contemporary Chinese art exhibition. This is obviously playing with the name of the French slam artist "Grand Corps Malade", but I'm not sure how to deal with it in this context. I don't think English readers are familiar enough with him, and the literaral translation "big sick bodies" just sounds odd.
Any suggestions would be greately appreciated.
TAI

L’extraordinaire kaléidoscope sociologique qu’est la Chine de ce début de XXIème siècle ne saurait laisser indifférent les artistes lancés pour la plupart dans une vaste captation poétique de la réalité, dans des mégapoles en chantier, de grands corps malades mais néanmoins bien vivants et notamment à Pékin, où vivent un grand nombre de ces plasticiens présentés dans cette exposition.

French Foodie KudoZ activity Questions: 424 (none open) (8 closed without grading) Answers: 426
Local time: 21:08

English translation:vast ailing entities

Explanation:
it is the mégapoles that are 'les grands corps malades' -

in those vast ailing but nevertheless living entities

I would ignore the reference to the slammer - nobody will get it

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 20 mins (2008-04-27 09:08:46 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

living and breathing

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2008-04-27 10:01:01 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I still think they are talking about the huge pulsating towns and cities - Beijing in particular, which - like the big suburban complexes in France and elsewhere - are a hotbed of (potential) problems, that are not necessarily a healthy place to be....

Selected response from:

CMJ_Trans (X)
Local time: 21:08

Grading comment

Thanks to all who answered, especially so quickly on a Sunday.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

3 +5

vast ailing entities

CMJ_Trans (X)

3 +1

sick but vitally alive places

B D Finch

large underprivileged sectors of society

Blake Ferris

Round pegs in square holes

sueaberwoman

Discussion entries: 1

Answers

19 mins confidence:

Round pegs in square holes

Explanation:
Going off on a different track that could work in English:

Just an idea:

Round pegs in square holes...
or
Misfits...
...who have nevertheless made a place for themselves

Grand Corps Malade plays with his disability, a talented artist who has made his own new "niche" in the music scene.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 25 mins (2008-04-27 09:14:35 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Because of "à Pékin", I have taken this as describing the artists , who are trying to make their mark in a society which demands innovation but within very strict limits.

Example sentence(s):

misfits, miscreants, square pegs in round holes... or perhaps round pegs in square holes? Three artists cast distorting eyes over Trafalgar Square, ...

Reference: http://www.ambienttv.net/content/?q=projects/anytime

sueaberwoman
Local time: 21:08
Native speaker of:

English,

French

19 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +5

vast ailing entities

CMJ_Trans (X)
Local time: 21:08
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 94

Grading comment

Thanks to all who answered, especially so quickly on a Sunday.

5 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

sick but vitally alive places

Explanation:
Given that this is followed by "mais néanmoins bien vivants" I think that you need to change the order of things somewhat. As Grand Corps Malade will not be recognised by most English speakers, the direct reference can be dropped, but the point is the co-existence of sickness and vitality.

B D Finch
France
Local time: 21:08
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 43

14 hrs confidence:

large underprivileged sectors of society

Explanation:
...which in large cities such as Peking nevertheless have a high standard of living...

Blake Ferris
Local time: 12:08
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English

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.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:

ProZ.com term search

Search millions of term translations