using foreign words/phrases in writing

mosquitobitten · May 4, 2012

Hello.
I've encountered a problem when translating an article into English. Since I'm not that experienced in translating, I was wondering if anyone could clarify something to me.

Sometimes, we use foreign words in speaking, for example, it's common to use "touche" "ad hoc" "au naturel" "femme fatale." There are also some used in writing.

My question is about the word explicite, taken from French (if I'm not mistaken) meaning explicitly, clearly, ..

Should I use it in my translation as well or give an English equivalent? I should add that in the original text it was written in italics.

any suggestions are welcome

Barb_D · May 4, 2012

When foreign words are included in English text, they are italicized.

He had a certain je ne sais quoi aspect that I found utterly fascinating.

While all the ones in your second paragraph are so common that I wouldn't even italicize them, "explicite" is not a commonly used foreign expression in everyday English. If you can simply substitute in the English word "explicitly" I would do that, unless it's important to show the person was using a French word.

billmcd · May 5, 2012

mosquitobitten said:
Hello.
I've encountered a problem when translating an article into English. Since I'm not that experienced in translating, I was wondering if anyone could clarify something to me.

Sometimes, we use foreign words in speaking, for example, it's common to use "touche" "ad hoc" "au naturel" "femme fatale." There are also some used in writing.

My question is about the word explicite, taken from French (if I'm not mistaken) meaning explicitly, clearly, ..

Should I use it in my translation as well or give an English equivalent? I should add that in the original text it was written in italics.

any suggestions are welcome

Check COCA for popular AmE uses of "explicit" (no final "e"). Commonly used in AmE news media reports and in reference to language/statements/warnings as in "Not suited for children because of explicit language" or "The film contains sexually explicit scenes".

BobK · May 5, 2012

billmcd said:
Check COCA for popular AmE uses of "explicit" (no final "e"). Commonly used in AmE news media reports and in reference to language/statements/warnings as in "Not suited for children because of explicit language" or "The film contains sexually explicit scenes".

I don't agree. The French word explicite isn't an exact synonym for either 'explicit' or 'explicitly', but it's close enough for a reader to guess. If you want the local colour, I'd stick to 'explicite' (if the translation is from French to English, and the speaker is French; if the translation is from French to English, I'd use something like 'detailed' or 'precise'.)

But French translation isn't on my CV. And my last ([polishing_nails_on_chest]award-winning [/polishing_nails_on_chest];-)] translation (from Portuguese) was done in 1974, .... so...

b

billmcd · May 5, 2012

BobK said:
I don't agree. The French word explicite isn't an exact synonym for either 'explicit' or 'explicitly', but it's close enough for a reader to guess. If you want the local colour, I'd stick to 'explicite' (if the translation is from French to English, and the speaker is French; if the translation is from French to English, I'd use something like 'detailed' or 'precise'.)

But French translation isn't on my CV. And my last ([polishing_nails_on_chest]award-winning [/polishing_nails_on_chest];-)] translation (from Portuguese) was done in 1974, .... so...

b

You've lost me (not a difficult task), but my French to English translation source for "explicite" includes "clear, specific, unequivocal, expressed without vagueness etc. which I think fit all 5000+ COCA examples including the two I used as examples.

BobK · May 6, 2012

All I meant was that there was not 1 for 1 exchangeability between 'explicit' and 'explicite'. And I don't know where 'explicitly came from; the French explicite isn't an adverb.

The OP asked

Should I use it in my translation as well or give an English equivalent? I should add that in the original text it was written in italics.

Was the text in English with this one word italicized? If so, the author meant something other than just 'explicit', and a translator shouldn't ignore that intention. And note that s/he says 'an equivalent'. Depending on context, that equivalent is unlikely to be 'explicit'. ;-)

b

using foreign words/phrases in writing

mosquitobitten

New member

Barb_D

Moderator

billmcd

Key Member

BobK

Moderator

billmcd

Key Member

BobK

Moderator

Similar threads