https://www.proz.com/kudoz/french-to-english/science/8404-roches-calcaires-vs-calcaire.html

roches calcaires vs calcaire

English translation: "calcareous rock"

03:40 Aug 5, 2000
French to English translations [PRO]
Science
French term or phrase: roches calcaires vs calcaire
To make sense of the following French sentence I have chosen to translate "calcaire" as "limestone content" rather than simply "limestone", since it feels odd to say that the painted rendering, which behaves like limestone, deteriorates as a result of the air pollution that attacks the limestone. Basically it either is or isn't limestone and cannot be both.

"Les enduits peints sont riches en calcium en raison même de leur nature. Ils vont donc se comporter comme les roches calcaires, et de nombreuses altérations de surface peuvent être imputées à la formation de sulfate de chaux hydraté, (SO4 Ca, 2H2O) sous forme de micro-cristaux de gypse, résultant de l'attaque du calcaire qu'ils contiennent"

The painted renderings are rich in calcium by nature. They therefore behave like limestone and numerous surface alterations can be attributed to the formation of hydrated calcium sulphate, (CaSO4.2H2O) as gypsum micro-crystals, resulting in the attack of the limestone content within" or "contained within".

Does anyone think that perhaps "se comporter comme" would be better translated here as "to react like"?

Thank you
Helen
English translation:"calcareous rock"
Explanation:
Given the chemical formula in the source text, it seems to me that you could use the term "calcareous rock" for 'roche calcaire'.
Selected response from:

Neil Coffey
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:50
Grading comment
Thank you very much for your help - I shall use your suggestion.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
na"calcareous rock"
Neil Coffey
nareact
Janet Kemp
nareact
Nikki Scott-Despaigne


  

Answers


10 mins
"calcareous rock"


Explanation:
Given the chemical formula in the source text, it seems to me that you could use the term "calcareous rock" for 'roche calcaire'.



    Reference: http://www.bartleby.com/65/x-/X-calcar-roc.html
Neil Coffey
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:50
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 118
Grading comment
Thank you very much for your help - I shall use your suggestion.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
Heathcliff
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1 day 2 hrs
react


Explanation:
You're a very good translator! Yes, I agree that react would be a good translation of se comporter in this instance. I also like "...content within" at the end - not "...contained within." You have good language instincts.

Janet Kemp
United States
Local time: 11:50
PRO pts in pair: 39

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
Heathcliff
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1 day 21 hrs
react


Explanation:
Yes. I too like your translation of this extract. It's an improvement on the original!

I like "react" too as the context specifically concerns a change rather than independent behaviour.

As for "content within", I think "content" alone is enough, "within" being superfluous.

Nikki Scott-Despaigne
Local time: 16:50
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 4638

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
Heathcliff
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