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French to English translations [PRO] Geography / ...and tourism, real estate, etc.
French term or phrase:Parc Naturel Régional de...
Could I have your comments please on the translation (or not) of this term. I come across it very frequently in tourism or real-estate documents, and it always gives me a headache. In effect, I realize there is no exact UK equivalent, and to some extent, as a proper name, it deosn't really need translation; at the same time, I often feel that some kind of translation/explanation would be helpful. I usually end up with Regional Natural Park, which I don't like one bit!
'Parc Naturel' alone would not normally pose much of a problem, since 'Nature Reserve' will more or less do the trick; but we all know that a PNR is not quite the same thing --- much less of a defined 'Nature Reserve', and in fact more akin to a UK National Park [cf New Forest, Lake District, etc.], with all that implies in terms of conservation, building restrictions etc. But the term unfortunately is 'Regional' and not 'National'
I'd prefer to translate 'Naturel' by 'Country' --- except that once again, in the UK, 'Country Park' has another quite specific and very different connotation.
I think this is the best one to go for, as it's used by the Fed. itself. Thanks for that helpful ref. I never even thought to see if there was an umbrella org.
Cheers! 'Dusty' :-) 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
no problem Dusty! glad I could help by "inspiring" someone else... :-))
12:24 Apr 10, 2005
Non-ProZ.com
23:33 Apr 9, 2005
Oh, and df49f --- thanks for your contribution too; had you entered your own suggestion (materially different from Gayle's) as an answer, rather than merely as a peer comment, I would have been able to accept it 19 minutes before Mactrad so kindly answered with the same idea. Clearly, great minds do think alike!
Non-ProZ.com
23:30 Apr 9, 2005
Thanks, Charlie! Part of my reason for closing unsually quickly is to avoid people the trouble of answering unnecessarily --- unless people have especially strong feelings, in which case they may be inclined to contribute post-grading.
I agree that the Fed's version is less than optimum, but for the kind of purposes I need, it will probably get me out of trouble; and at least I can point to it as being their 'official' translation, if anyone queries it!
And I have to say the Fed's Eng version is less than ideal in many ways. It reads appallingly. These things are probably often done by folk who know no more about it that we do, and in this case, I would hazard, actually know less.
Think you would've been wise to wait a while before deciding on an answer. If you need one quick, by all means mentally select one, but it's never good to cut off potential other answers so soon, especially at the weekend.
17:57 Apr 9, 2005
Non-ProZ.com
Thanks, Mactrad!
17:04 Apr 9, 2005
I'm glad you see it that way too! Of course, I would never dream of being so rude and ungrateful as to use a bald 'Decline' --- better in that case just to shut up! :-)
Hi Dusty, I agree with your polite use of 'Decline' as a way of explaining why you haven't chosen someone's answer, however it is rude if the decliner provides no explanation and, as such, could be construed as a 'slap in the face' by the declinee, cheers
Never mind, that was the conversation which is interesting. I understand why you used the "decline", you thought it a more personnal answer to each. But now you find out that it happens on the top, which is not such a bad thing as one can read as it comes
15:54 Apr 9, 2005
Non-ProZ.com
TOPYS... err, typsos... err...
15:45 Apr 9, 2005
W/A --- if I had that URL, I'd make a fortune with it ;-))) In fact, I probably wouldn't be an over-worked and under-paid jobbing translator! Sometimes mine are so good, the Word spell-checker reurns the error message "You GOTTA be KIDDING!" Mind you, when it comes to creative use of language, I do occasionally quite unwittingly come up with some original turns of phrase --- like the time I bemoaned being woken up by the "dawn raucous"
Am I glad of the "Ctrl + Zut!" shortcut!
Non-ProZ.com
TOPYS... err, typsos... err...
15:40 Apr 9, 2005
W/A --- if I had that URL, I'd make a fortune with it ;-))) In fact, I probably wouldn't be an over-worked and under-paid jobbing translator! Sometimes mine are so good, the Word spell-checker reurns the error message "You GOTTA be KIDDING!" Mind you, when it comes to creative use of language, I do occasionally quite unwittingly come up with some original turns of phrase --- like the time I bemoaned being woken up by the "dawn raucous"
Am I glad of the "Ctrl + Zut!" shortcut!
Non-ProZ.com
Thanks to Lien too!
15:35 Apr 9, 2005
Hi there! Well, at risk of getting my wrists slapped by W/A for so doing (I'm worried about all this slapping stuff...!), I had been intending to 'Decline' Lien's answer too, just so I could comment on it at greater length; but I clicked 'Accept' first, and seem to have got myself stuck now...
I wanted to say that I SO agree with what you say about 'conveying the same idea', and I think I will sometimes follow your advice and gor for 'National Park'; so I would have liked to share the points with you too!
However, in some of the contexts where I encounter this, the regional aspect is being emphasized, and so in those instances, I think the 'official' transaltion including 'Regional' will work better.
Thanks again to you, and ALL answerers for your input --- 'Declined' or not, I really DO hugely appreciate your comments and insights.
And to those sensitive souls who feel face-slapped by a politely-appreciative 'Decline', please don't ever take it that way coming from me!
Maybe KudoZ could come up with another way for Askers to add more personal comments alongside each answer, instead of all cramped together up here at the top.
A decline is generally perceived as a slap in the fact-you asked for input here and people have offered you input.As it's a rather arbitrary decision there is little point in officially refusing input.Each person does as he/she sees fit.
15:24 Apr 9, 2005
Non-ProZ.com
To Rita:
15:21 Apr 9, 2005
Yes, thanks, Rita, that's a good idea; indeed, it bears very little resemblance indeed to a 'park' as such. As I have explained elsewhere, one of the problems is that I often have to work to a tight character count, so can't allow myself the luxury of a lengthy explanation! :-)
Non-ProZ.com
Don't misunderstand me...
15:19 Apr 9, 2005
Thanks a lot, W/A for your comment --- but I fear you have entirely misunderstood my use of 'decline'!
My only reason for so doing is not to reject someone's opinion (though I reserve the right to explain that this opinion does not necessarily suit my own needs), but purely and simply so that I can use the 'Decline' message box to add a more personal thank you and note to the Answerer --- as far as I am aware, this is the only way it can be done via KudoZ?
it's a personal decision-why decline people's opinions?
15:03 Apr 9, 2005
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
8 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +2
Parc Naturel Régional de...
Parc Naturel Régional with transltor's note
Explanation: I don't translate it either. I leave it in French and add a translator's note, like in the link below. I did not translate the website, did you? :-)
Graham macLachlan Local time: 18:55 Works in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks a lot, Mactrad!
I think this is the best one to go for, as it's used by the Fed. itself. Thanks for that helpful ref. I never even thought to see if there was an umbrella org.
Local Nature Reserves (or LNRs) are for both people and wildlife. They are places with wildlife or geological features that are of special interest locally, which give people special opportunites to study and learn about them or simply enjoy and have contact with nature.
I know local is not regional but it sounds slightly better
or you could write "nature reserves of the XXX area" which is also quite common
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 38 mins (2005-04-09 14:54:04 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Note: in the U.S. we often have them subdivided by county, state, federal/by governmental authority
RHELLER United States Local time: 10:55 Works in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks a lot, Rita!
The whole problem is that these places are specifically NOT 'nature reserves' as such, but rather great tracts of country designated for 'restricted development', etc. So the implications are quite different, and hence the importance of making this clear for readers, certainly in the real estate situation
The asker has declined this answer Comment:
Thanks a lot, Rita!
The whole problem is that these places are specifically NOT 'nature reserves' as such, but rather great tracts of country designated for 'restricted development', etc. So the implications are quite different, and hence the importance of making this clear for readers, certainly in the real estate situation
51 mins confidence:
Parc Naturel Régional de...
ci-dessous
Explanation: You could sait National Parks, because it is what they are in reality, there are parks in different regions because of the beautiful landscape and natural environment for which they stand. It is only an administrative difference, as it is the region which pays for it, not the state.
To translate is to evoke the same things in the mind of the reader of the target language as in the mind of the source language reader. "National Park" will suggest the same image as "Parc Naturel Regional" and what it's all about.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 hr 2 mins (2005-04-09 15:18:59 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Here you have your answer :
Translators note : The French \"parc naturel régional\" is similar in function to the English national park. However, to avoid confusion, the French phrase has been kept in the English text, and is abbreviated as \"parc\".
lien Netherlands Local time: 18:55 Native speaker of: French
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peer agreement (net): +2
