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certificat d'études spéciales de médecine du travail
viande de caractère
Jul 27, 2017 08:45
6 yrs ago
French term

Les Petits Riens

Non-PRO French to English Social Sciences Names (personal, company) name of an organisation
Context: In Belgium, an ex-convict talks about going to "Les Petits Riens" to find shelter and look for work.

"Les Petits Riens" is a nonprofit organisation helping people in need finding a job, food, shelter, etc. I was wondering if there was a similar social structure in the UK, or if I simply should leave it in French.

PS: The text is a script for a documentary.

Thanks a lot :)
Proposed translations (English)
4 +3 Les Petits Riens (Keep it as it is in French)
Change log

Jul 27, 2017 08:55: writeaway changed "Field" from "Other" to "Social Sciences" , "Field (write-in)" from "(none)" to "name of an organisation"

Jul 27, 2017 10:18: Rachel Fell changed "Level" from "PRO" to "Non-PRO"

Votes to reclassify question as PRO/non-PRO:

Non-PRO (3): writeaway, B D Finch, Rachel Fell

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Discussion

philgoddard Jul 27, 2017:
I don't think you should ask your client.
Now that we have the context, I think you should paraphrase it to "a welfare charity".
Paolo Dagonnier (asker) Jul 27, 2017:
Thanks everyone and sorry for not providing more context. The script will be used for voiceover, not subtitles - so a short explanation is not an option.

The documentary is 8 episodes long (30 mins each) and tells the story of a Belgian ex-convict trying to "go back into society" after serving 4 years in prison.
So the reference to Les Petits Riens is definitely a passing reference, but it helps providing more context regarding the process of gradually going back into society.

I still don't know whether I should leave it in French, use a paraphrase or find an English equivalent (but then again, let's say I find a UK equivalent, an American audience still wouldn't understand).

I'll email my client to discuss the issue and see if they can help me. Thanks a lot to everyone who helped with a suggestion, and sorry if it slightly got out of hand for lack of context!
writeaway Jul 27, 2017:
@AT exactly
AllegroTrans Jul 27, 2017:
This is getting out of hand..... ....so let me make a suggestion. We don't know whether the script is going to be sub-titles or voiceover for a start. Maybe (and I think the client needs to be consulted anyway) this should be along the limes of "Les Petits Riens - a local welfare charity". Without such a rider the inhabitants of Lyme Regis or Rhode Island will scratch their foreheads in total bafflement.
writeaway Jul 27, 2017:
it is their NAME http://www.petitsriens.be/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Charte-...

and there is no need for context. It's perfectly clear.
philgoddard Jul 27, 2017:
It depends entirely on the context, which we don't have. We don't know what the documentary is about - Les Petits Riens may be a passing reference, or the subject of the film.
I agree with Allegro that since this is a script, leaving it in French is probably not an option. And you can't normally put explanations in subtitles.
Could we have some French context, please?
writeaway Jul 27, 2017:
I agree but the name itself mustn't be translated.
AllegroTrans Jul 27, 2017:
My simple point is that if this documentary is aimed at English speakers in Sheffield or Heckmondwyke they will definitely not know what "Les Petits Riens" in Brussels is.
writeaway Jul 27, 2017:
It's not "the" local welfare charity It's a charitable organisation that provides assistance and housing to the down and out. Definitely leave it untranslated but perhaps put together a simple, clear explanation in English.
AllegroTrans Jul 27, 2017:
Leaving in French would be standard practice for a formal translation. However, this is a script in a documentary and the English-speaking listener is unlikely to understand the term in French. It MAY be appropriate to use a term such as "the local welfare charity" but I think asker that you need to check with your client as to whether this would be acceptable.
writeaway Jul 27, 2017:
Of course you leave it in French It's well known by virtually everyone in Brussels. Some people have been helped by them (shelter in exchange for helping out) and the better off either donate their used/unwanted items and clothing or come and shop for bargains, all proceeds going to Les Petits Riens

Proposed translations

+3
12 mins
Selected

Les Petits Riens (Keep it as it is in French)

Keep it as it is in French
Peer comment(s):
agree B D Finch
14 mins
agree writeaway : Standard practise in professional translation to leave such names untranslated. http://petitsriens.be/historique/
57 mins
agree patrickfor
6 days
Something went wrong...
3 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks!"
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