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12:58 Aug 11, 2010
French to English translations [Non-PRO] Science - Science (general) / Freeze-drying qualification document
French term or phrase:écart
This term appears frequently in this document. It is mentioned with regard to a test (well several, actually) not being passed and a 'numéro d'écart' needing to be provided. A 'fichier d'écart' is also referred to.
"What is a Deviation:
A Deviation is a departure from standard procedures or specifications resulting in non-conforming material and/or processes or where there have been unusual or unexplained events which have the potential to impact on product quality, system integrity or personal safety. For compliance to GMP and the sake of continuous improvement, these deviations are recorded in the form of Deviation Report (DR)." http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Standard-Procedure-For-Quality-A...
It's become apparent that the client I'm dealing with would like me present options and that they'll then choose from these (thank goodness - make my life a little easier!) So, I'm going to offer up 'failure' and 'reject' as they do seem to make more practical sense in the context. Deviation, as I'll explain to them, should only be used if the number means a quantity that deviates from a standard 'norm' value.
...for the vote of support. I spent quite a bit of time thinking about the possible solution (using my knowledge of other testing procedures in manufacturing/scientific contexts). I'll still wait to hear more views, just because I still have a bit of time :-)
I'd give more context if I could. It simply says 'Where a test is not passed a 'fail' and a 'numéro d'écart' should be given'. In some cases a 'fichier d'écart' should also be filled in. Then the term simply appears at the top of a column in a table, beside 'fail'. The other column is 'pass'. The tables are lists of things to check 'vacuum pump input' etc.
xxxmediamatrix Local time: 17:39 Native speaker of: English
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks for this. It makes a lot of sense and sounds more 'practical' than deviation. I'm going to offer it up to the client and let them choose between this and failure. I'll then grade accordingly.
Explanation: If this is specifically a testing situation, with things that can either 'pass' or 'fail', then the most logical thing to me seems to be to call in a 'failure no.' (etc.)
If you prefer to focus on the cause of the failure, then you ight wish to consider the alternative 'defect'.
Although it's sometimes a good translation for 'écart', I don't believe that 'discrepancy' would really work here; and I have to say that I would have the most serious reservations about 'deviation', which in my book would be much more on a detail level, like 'deviation from a specific value (etc.)'.
Tony M France Local time: 23:39 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 8
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks for this. It makes a lot of sense and sounds more 'practical' than deviation. I'm going to offer it up to the client and let them choose between this and reject. I'll then grade accordingly.
"What is a Deviation:
A Deviation is a departure from standard procedures or specifications resulting in non-conforming material and/or processes or where there have been unusual or unexplained events which have the potential to impact on product quality, system integrity or personal safety. For compliance to GMP and the sake of continuous improvement, these deviations are recorded in the form of Deviation Report (DR)." http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Standard-Procedure-For-Quality-A...
Helen Genevier France Local time: 23:39 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
This is what the client eventually went with. Thank you :-)!
Notes to answerer
Asker: Very interesting indeed Helen. Thank you! I'm in the process of presenting options to the client, so will include this, and the justification, so that they can make the ultimate decision. Usually I like to come down in favour of one of the terms I suggest and my gut instinct is still 'deviation'; however, in this instance I'm going to explain that without further context I could be recommending the wrong term, so I'm simply going to explain the situations in which each term might be the preferred one.
The translation workplace 
