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sont à l'honneur
La Cage Aux Folles
Jan 24, 2009 08:58
16 yrs ago
français term

les toilettes à la turque

Non-PRO français vers anglais Autre Général / conversation / salutations / correspondance
La présidence tchèque de l’Union a été piégée par un artiste praguois qui, dans une œuvre d’art très spéciale, a représenté, de façon caricaturale, chacun des pays de l’Union européenne. Le tableau France porte une toile sur laquelle on lit « Grèves », l’Allemagne est représentée par la croix gammée, la Bulgarie par les toilettes à la turque, etc
Proposed translations (anglais)
5 +4 Squat toilets
4 +5 Turkish toilets
4 +1 all you need to know in article referenced below
4 squatting WC pan
References
WC à la turque
squat toilets according to the BBC
squat, yes. Consider this (though "loo"...
Change log

Jan 24, 2009 09:28: Tony M changed "Level" from "PRO" to "Non-PRO"

Jan 24, 2009 12:10: Stéphanie Soudais (X) changed "Field" from "Art / Littérature" to "Autre" , "Field (specific)" from "Poésie et littérature" to "Général / conversation / salutations / correspondance"

Proposed translations

+4
6 minutes
Selected

Squat toilets

Harraps' gives 'hole in the ground' as an acceptable translation, but in the context of your document, 'squat toilets' would be a better fit.
Peer comment(s):
agree Sheila Wilson : I don't think 'hole in the ground' really gives a good idea of the better ones, with places for hands and feet, a flush etc (they're actually quite hygienic) - although some of the local ones are just that.
4 minutes
Sheila, you're right about the better ones...I remember my reaction to the first one I saw in a school courtyard...not a 'better' one!
agree Carol Gullidge : the term used by the BBC in their article on the controversial work of art: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7840187.stm
21 minutes
agree Tony M
23 minutes
agree Helen Shiner : I've also seen them referred to as 'Turkish toilets' in the British press, but this is more comprehensible, and I did wonder when I read the article what particular refinement was meant.
1 heure
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "thanks"
+1
3 minutes

all you need to know in article referenced below

Squat Toilets (Het hurktoilet), travel guide about France : ToiletsJust when you think you've finally found the toilets, there's only a black hole in the white floor. Welcome to French toilets (or Turkish toilets, ...
www.hurktoilet.nl/hurk-en.php - 13k
Peer comment(s):
agree :::::::::: (X)
0 minute
neutral Carol Gullidge : so what is your suggestion? If it's "squat toilets", then I agree!
24 minutes
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16 minutes

squatting WC pan

is the name given them by the British Standards Institution.

See also my note at http://www.proz.com/kudoz/french_to_english/construction_civ...
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+5
5 heures

Turkish toilets

Why not keet the original French attribute?

How to use French toilets. ... Welcome to French toilets (or *Turkish toilets*, as the French call them), probably the most reviled piece of French furniture. ...
www.hurktoilet.nl/hurk-en.php

All about *Turkish toilets* and how to use them, by Tom Brosnahan.

How to Use a *Turkish Toilet*. Travelers often face the dilemma of trying out new experiences and learning about unfamiliar places and cultures, ...
www.ehow.com/how_4494183_use-turkish-toilet.html
www.turkeytravelplanner.com/details/Toilets.html

Peer comment(s):
agree Susanna Garcia : I've always heard them called this. The Turks get such a bad press! In Italian, to be a heavy smoker is 'fumare come un turco'!
19 minutes
Grazie Susanna! anch'io li ho sempre chiamati cosi'.... and to swear is "bestemmiare come un turco", che poi, per un italiano, e' come "the pot calling the kettle black".
agree Dylan Edwards : I've checked: in the Czech artist's accompanying brochure, Bulgaria is actually marked (in English) with the words 'Turkish toilet'. Part of the furore has been about this. Suggested version: "Turkish squat toilets".
3 heures
Thank you Dylan!
agree Yolanda Broad : I grew up calling those things Turkish toilets.
5 heures
Thanks Yolanda!
neutral Sheila Wilson : But as Helen remarked in answer to Mollie's answer, English-speakers don't necessarily understand what is meant by the term
6 heures
agree Julie Barber : If you'd ever seen one, I think you'd know the term!
10 heures
Thanks Julie! I used several throughout Europe, and a couple of them actually had a sign that read "Turkish toilet" (believe it or not)
agree ArabellaCE (X) : I'd definitely go for this translation, though not for the thing itself!
2 jours 6 heures
Thank you Arabella!
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Reference comments

21 minutes
Reference:

WC à la turque

Peer comments on this reference comment:
neutral Carol Gullidge : the problem with using the word "Turkish" here is that there was an uproar in Bulgaria, and adding "Turkish" might just appear non-PC, to say the least! It could look as though it was Turkish toilets that the Bulgarians find so offensive
16 minutes
yes, I agree. The usage of " turkish" can interfere with political issues. I haven't seen the piece, but if there is a picture of a squatting toilet on it, then that term should be used.
agree Mostafa MOUHIBE : i agree
1 jour 46 minutes
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33 minutes
Reference:

squat toilets according to the BBC

this is their article on this topical (at least, very recently!) subject. There's also a nice picture of the offending item (can't say I blame the Bulgarians for not wishing to be represented as a toilet (of any kind!):

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7840187.stm
Peer comments on this reference comment:
agree Dylan Edwards : Thanks for this link. Incidentally, I've only just found out how the Cz Republic represents itself (making fun of their president). This artwork or 'provocation' gives every nation a chance to get offended.
57 minutes
thanks Dylon! Perhaps, just this once, there's something to be said for remaining conspicuously absent!
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6 heures
Reference:

squat, yes. Consider this (though "loo" seems a very specifically British word for toilet):

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/17/david-ce...

Needless to say, we don't all associate these "loos" or toilets strongly with one nation (I first encountered them in Greece, maybe France), and there are those who have good reasons for considering them better and more natural, but bear in mind that this is a work that highlights prejudices and stereotypes. We're not talking "politically correct" here.

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Note added at 8 hrs (2009-01-24 17:39:24 GMT)
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Therefore, I would recommend the version in my link (though perhaps with 'toilet' instead of 'loo').
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