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decrescita felice

English translation: sustainable negative growth

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Italian term or phrase:decrescita felice
English translation:sustainable negative growth
Entered by: Tom in London

18:49 Apr 30, 2009
Italian to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Economics
Italian term or phrase: decrescita felice
Looking for a catchy, and hopefully succinct way to translate this term. The basic concept is generally described as "degrowth" or "degrowth economics." This particular term, which seems to have been coined in Italian by a writer named Pallante, has been translated in English as "happy degrowth." But my colleagues and I find this translation a bit lacking. Any ideas? Thanks!

Context:

The blog covering the movement on la decrescita felice is here: http://www.decrescitafelice.it/

For what it's worth, the Spanish term is "decrecimiento feliz" and can be read about here: http://dondesergio.blogia.com/2008/021901-el-decrecimiento-f...
Nicholas Henry
Local time: 09:27
sustainable negative growth
Explanation:
I wouldn't say "happy" in English - it sounds stupid.

I've read the book "Per una decrescita felice" in Italian translation from the French.
Selected response from:

Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:27
Grading comment
Sorry for the delay. I'm not quite sure this is the best answer, but seems like the idea of sustainability is tied into this. Thanks to everyone for all your ideas.
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +1sustainable negative growth
Tom in London
5pleasurable / pleasant degrowth
tom corradin (X)
4benevolent degrowth
Giles Watson
3welcome degrowth
potra
Summary of reference entries provided
happy degrowth
Manuela Dal Castello

  

Answers


2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
sustainable negative growth


Explanation:
I wouldn't say "happy" in English - it sounds stupid.

I've read the book "Per una decrescita felice" in Italian translation from the French.

Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:27
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 56
Grading comment
Sorry for the delay. I'm not quite sure this is the best answer, but seems like the idea of sustainability is tied into this. Thanks to everyone for all your ideas.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Peter Cox
8 hrs
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18 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
welcome degrowth


Explanation:
The term degrowth seems wrong to me but it is becoming widely used. I think that 'felice' means welcome in this particular context

potra
United States
Local time: 11:27
Native speaker of: Native in ItalianItalian, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
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20 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
benevolent degrowth


Explanation:
Tom's proposal is a good way of expressing the idea in standard English but the unfortunate coinage "degrowth" (which reminds me of the looking-glass English concept of "unbirthday" without Lewis Carroll's sense of humour) should really be kept in the translation.

"Benevolent" looks like the best candidate to translate "felice" in this context.

HTH

Giles

Giles Watson
Italy
Local time: 17:27
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 8
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3 days 4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
pleasurable / pleasant degrowth


Explanation:
I think they want to challenge the idea that happiness and well-being is linked to economic growth at all costs. I reckon "pleasant" goes nicely with "degrowth", it conveys the idea of a more pleasant and gentle society, and it's nearer the meaning of "felice".

tom corradin (X)
Italy
Local time: 17:27
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in ItalianItalian
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Reference comments


2 hrs
Reference: happy degrowth

Reference information:
although you can argue it may seem silly, what is meant is really this: stop economical growth to be happier...


    Reference: http://www.degrowth.net/
Manuela Dal Castello
Italy
Native speaker of: Italian
PRO pts in category: 4
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