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French to English translations [Non-PRO] Marketing - Textiles / Clothing / Fashion / On-line shoe sales
French term or phrase:Escarpins
Source: French-French
Target: UK English
This is for a website who sell clothes and shoes online.
I would normally translate escarpins as "court shoes". However the client would like to use "pumps".
To me "pumps" is US English and also conjures up images of flat shoes as opposed to high-heeled shoes. Would "pumps" be acceptable for the UK market or should we stick with "court shoes"?
I feel I've been away from the UK too long to be properly objective on this!
(PS by UK market I mean women who would buy shoes online)
Explanation: I understand your reservation as to me "pumps" conjures up P.E. lessons at school but this is the preferred term used by my haute couture clients for British English. See the Dior example in the reference below.
The term "thong sandal" is sometimes used, but the "thong" part refers to the thingy that goes between the toes, probably because it resembles a thong in shape.
... that the haute couture world prefers a term that is associated in the UK with flat, unstylish shoes or ballet pumps. I suspect that a less skilled and scrupulous translator than you might have once mistranslated this as "pumps" for the UK market. UK-based companies are unlikely to make the same mistake.
Yes, agreed. Could it be that this is the preferred word in the "haute couture" world (presumably influenced by US English) rather than on the high street?
Yes I noticed that Net-a-porter for example (who sell designer stuff in the UK) use "pumps". However other online sites like Asos, Next or Topshop all use "court shoes", and when you search those sites for "pumps" it brings up pictures of flat shoes.
Explanation: I understand your reservation as to me "pumps" conjures up P.E. lessons at school but this is the preferred term used by my haute couture clients for British English. See the Dior example in the reference below.
Reference information: Perhaps you've already seen the "Court shoe" Wiki:
Court shoes (British English) or pumps (American English) are shoes with a low-cut front and usually without a fastening. However, some have ankle straps. They are usually worn by women, but are still traditional menswear in some formal situations, when they are sometimes called opera slippers or patent pumps. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_shoe
The translation workplace 
