Please type or print clearly

21:33 Mar 10, 2011 

But the whole point, Anne, is that people DO sometimes (exceptionally) use typewriters for filling in forms, specifically when they are multi-part sets, and only a physical impact will work (typewriter or dot matrix printer); however, there's nothing to say that this text isn't expecting people to probably write (with a ball-point pen), but typing is a possible (though unlikely) alternative... Hence why the context is so important... knowing what sort of form it is, etc.

BTW, we do still use 'taper' for keyboard entry of information on computers, along with 'saisir', of course ;-)

21:27 Mar 10, 2011 

all I meant to say when asking about the tight translation for **TYPING**, is that it can no longer be translated with (taper)- ou autre verbe **A LA MACHINE** nowadays, because this implies a typing machine, which no one uses typing machines anymore. Nor is **dactylographier ** a good option either, for the same reasons.
I had no problem with **print writing**, that was not my point :-), but it seems that my question has not been understood by most, will have to learn to express my needs better in future.

18:02 Mar 9, 2011 

Sure, we have the same thing over here in France, too... but what I'd like to know is what clues if any have led Asker to think this?

I don't believe anyone would give such instructions for filling in a computerized form, they'd be more likely to say "Fill in via your computer, or if you do it by hand, please print clearly in block caps"

The mere use of the word 'type' does not per se suggest the use of a computer; indeed, one would be more likely to say 'enter' etc.

I think it is vital for Asker to tell us a bit more about what this form actually is...

17:43 Mar 9, 2011 

First, thanks for confirming the "print" issue, I thought "write in capital letters" was an american thing, now I see the the same both sides of the "large pond".
Regarding the computer issue, I'll give you a very practical example. In the US you can renew your passport by mail by completing an editable pdf form (and then printing it out before putting it in an envelope), or pick up the paper form (exactly the same as the one you find on the US passport website) from any US Post Office and print the information required. The same goes for Income tax returns...

17:19 Mar 9, 2011 

I'm with Kashew on this one: in this sort of instruction, if one says 'print clearly' it has always traditionally (and I'm sure still does) meant 'write in block capitals' — this may be a particularly GB usage, which could explain why it seems to be unfamiliar to certain colleagues.

There would be no point in saying "print clearly" if it means a computer printer, since one doesn't have any choice in the matter with a printer!

In any case, the person writing this is old-fashioned enough to say 'type', so they're clearly not anticipating a computer printout; and who knows, this might be a multi-part copy, something that inkjet and laser printers haven't yet learnt how to cope with, I don't think ;-)

I'd like to ask Anne how / if she knows for sure this is for completion by computer? It's fairly unusual, unless someone has an editable PDF for example. What sort of form or document is it? My suspicion, from the fact that they say 'type' is that it might be a multi-part fro, which can't go through a computer printer, and needs typing (or ball-point pen) to make the copies come out.

10:58 Mar 9, 2011 

Prière de taper ou d'écrire lisiblement

10:25 Mar 9, 2011 

on parle de "remplir à la machine", pas à l'ordinateur. Car un ordinateur est une machine et "type" ne précise pas avec quelle sorte de machine

10:23 Mar 9, 2011 

"PAR ORDINATEUR" - context provided by the asker. We're not speaking about handwriting with separate letters à la American.

10:21 Mar 9, 2011 

print writing = écrire en (caractère) script ou en lettre majuscules, mon problème ici c'est plus le 'typing', car on en tape plus à la machine depuis longtemps, d'où ma difficulté à mettre mettre 'dactylographier, pour la même raison. Remplir par ordinateur ou à la main, me semble plus juste. Merci

10:18 Mar 9, 2011 

the style of handwriting: going back to the days when we used pens and pencils, if the teacher said "Print it" he expected separated letters and generally capitals, i.e. not longhand.
For me, that's why the question didn't go "please type or WRITE clearly"?

10:08 Mar 9, 2011 

"formulaire à remplir, à la main ou par ordinateur - ergo, using a printer.
So, I read it as "make sure the printer you are using for this form has enough ink or toner for the type to be easily readable".

10:05 Mar 9, 2011 

"lisible" is the translation of "clearly" - nothing to do with the print part

09:58 Mar 9, 2011 

Def: To write (something) in characters similar to those commonly used in print.
Often implying capitals, but anyway in "non joined-up" writing.
I don't think "lisible" is precise enough in the answers so far.