desquamation

English translation: I like your translation!

14:50 Jul 31, 2000

French to English translations [PRO]
Science

French term or phrase: desquamation

I have found the verb "desquamer" to mean "flake away" and was therefore wondering if it was ok to translate the noun "desquamation" as a verb in the following sentence:

"The appearance of efflorescences can cause the extremely thin painted film to flake away, and can continue on the new surface, until the rendering completely disappears."

The original French reads:

"On assiste à l'apparition d'efflorescences qui se transforment ensuite en une desquamation de la pelicule peinte, extrêmement mince, et le phénomène est susceptible de se poursuivre sur le nouvel épiderme, jusqu'à disparition de tout l'enduit."

Any suggestions welcome

Helen

English translation:I like your translation!

Explanation:
I like the use of "flake away" in your translation. And your decision to use a verb instead of a noun phrase. "Desquamer" in English is *to scale*, as in *to shed scales*, but paint does flake rather than scale. (There is a whole set of terms in English--mostly medical--with the *squam* root, all related to some aspect of scaling).

Here are a couple of explanations of *desquamation* from Termium:

English:Symptoms (Medicine)
Diseases of the Epidermis

scaling s CORRECT,SEE RECORD

desquamation s CORRECT,SEE RECORD

DEF - The casting off of the epidermis in shreds or scales.
OBS - The term "scaling" was recommended by the Medical Signs and Symptoms Committee. s
OBS - Terms approved by Entraide Traduction Santé. s

English:Geomorphology and Geomorphogeny

desquamation s

DEF - An obsolescent synonym of exfoliation characterized by the peeling off or detachment of scaly rock fragments. s

You really are doing a very fine job with your translation, as demonstrated in your previous inquiries!

Selected response from:

Yolanda Broad
United States
Local time: 18:23

Grading comment

Thank you very much for your helpful reply. It boosts my confidence to know I'm on the right track. (I just wish I was a bit quicker but I guess practice makes perfect!)
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

"flake away" sounds fine.

Heathcliff

I like your translation!

Yolanda Broad

Answers

4 mins

"flake away" sounds fine.

Explanation:
In this context, "desquamation" (which is a perfectly acceptable medical term) would sound, well, too medical. :)

Heathcliff
United States
Local time: 15:23
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in pair: 953

12 mins

I like your translation!

Yolanda Broad
United States
Local time: 18:23
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in pair: 1551

Grading comment

Thank you very much for your helpful reply. It boosts my confidence to know I'm on the right track. (I just wish I was a bit quicker but I guess practice makes perfect!)

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