This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. French to English

épure réflechi

English translation: studied simplicity

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:épure réflechi
English translation:studied simplicity
Entered by: Dr Andrew Read

11:07 Jan 17, 2004
French to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary / jazz
French term or phrase: épure réflechi
"Entre traits virtuoses et épure réfléchie..."

trumpet playing on a jazz record
celandine
Local time: 12:19
studied simplicity/carefully sketched simplicity
Explanation:
I think you've got it right.

This has to be "épure" as a feminine noun qualified by the adjective "réfléchie", otherwise it doesn't make grammatical sense in terms of agreement.

So where does that leave us? My dictionary gives "working drawing" for *épure*, though I think the meanings of "épuré " (uncluttered, clean) must have been in the author's mind, too.

Therefore, your suggestion is a very good one. My other thought - "studied sketchiness" - sounds a bit funny!
Selected response from:

Dr Andrew Read
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:19
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4studied simplicity/carefully sketched simplicity
Dr Andrew Read
3an aimed-at simplicity
ben baudoin
3an aimed-at simplicity
ben baudoin
3reflective improvisation
Adam Thomson


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


20 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
an aimed-at simplicity


Explanation:
?????????,

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2004-01-17 11:39:12 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

l\'auteur joue avec le registre du dessin (traits/épure) mais je pense qu\'il veut bien dire simplicity

ben baudoin
France
Local time: 06:19
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in pair: 12
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

20 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
an aimed-at simplicity


Explanation:
?????????,

ben baudoin
France
Local time: 06:19
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in pair: 12
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
studied simplicity/carefully sketched simplicity


Explanation:
I think you've got it right.

This has to be "épure" as a feminine noun qualified by the adjective "réfléchie", otherwise it doesn't make grammatical sense in terms of agreement.

So where does that leave us? My dictionary gives "working drawing" for *épure*, though I think the meanings of "épuré " (uncluttered, clean) must have been in the author's mind, too.

Therefore, your suggestion is a very good one. My other thought - "studied sketchiness" - sounds a bit funny!

Dr Andrew Read
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:19
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in pair: 128

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Adam Thomson: I do feel "improvisation" plays a part in this context. I know you've closed this already, but this is what I think.
5 mins
  -> Hi Adam. With respect, I don't agree with you on this - IMO, the "traits virtuoses" are more likely to be improvisatory, and I think the concept of "reflechie" is incompatible with improvisation. :-)
neutral  David Vaughn: I see this use of épure a lot, it seems to be a coined noun based on the verb épurer - hard to find an English term that always corresponds, other possibilities: unembellished, pure, essential,
15 hrs
  -> Good point; another option then would be "unembellished reflection" (reversing the noun/adj.)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
épure réflechi
reflective improvisation


Explanation:
"...between virtuoso passages and reflective improvisation..."

I am find that "traits" is "passages" musicologically speaking, and the rest comes intuitionally. I am pretty sure "épuré" in this context, literally meaining "working" (drawings etc) could transmute into "improvisation" in this context.

Adam Thomson
Local time: 05:19
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in pair: 98
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search