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tactilement
librairie
Nov 30, 2020 09:22
3 yrs ago
54 viewers *
French term

acte de reconnaissance/reconnu

French to English Other Certificates, Diplomas, Licenses, CVs marriage witness statement, DRC
Dear all,

I have been provided two documents which the client describes as "marriage witness" statements. They attest to a marriage that took place in the DRC, and based on the accompanying ID cards, the witnesses are both French-speaking African nationals (presumably from the DRC).

Both statements are entitled "acte de reconnaissance".

One then says "Je soussigne...atteste avoir ete present et temoin oculaire au mariage..." - so clearly he witnessed it.

However, the second statement says "Je soussigne atteste avoir reconnu le mariage..."

In this context, can "reconnu" be translated as "witnessed" and the title as "witness statement"? Or does it strictly mean "recognition" as in the more common use for the recognition of paternity? Noting also that "recognising a marriage" is also a process, separate from "witnessing a marriage", but there is no indication that the writer acted in any sort of official capacity, and he describes himself simply as the groom's "older brother".

Thanks.
Proposed translations (English)
5 -1 acte de reconnaissance as act of Recognition and acte de reconnu as recognized witness
4 Formal declaration by witness; (I have) personally witnessed
3 E&W: record of acknowledgement / to have acknowledged
3 (signed) statement of witness to marriage ceremony

Discussion

Daryo Dec 2, 2020:
A handwritten note? Not even a sworn statement made in proper and due form? Wow, that really proves ... something.
Wendy Cummings (asker) Dec 1, 2020:
@Daryo It is a handwritten note, and after this phrase comes a specific date and place on which the marriage took place (the same date mentioned by the other witness), which I think implies the word refers to the ceremony rather than marital status.
Julie Barber Dec 1, 2020:
Daryo raises a valid point about the nature of the statements. On the other hand the word "reconnaitre" is not limited to recognising (acknowledging), "certifying that it is valid": that's not actually mentioned - merely that the person witnessed the marriage whether it's the ceremony or elsewhere.
Daryo Nov 30, 2020:
Is that some kind of official form or just text typed on plain paper?

If that's the case I would be very careful NOT to give in the translation to this documents more weight than they really have, especially the one talking of "avoir reconnu le mariage" - sounds to me like "confirming I saw them living like a married couple" NOTHING MORE.

A private person is DEFINITELY NOT in position to "recognise (=certify) that someone's marriage is valid/official" - only the registrar where the marriage was recorded can do that!
Wendy Cummings (asker) Nov 30, 2020:
Thanks Julie Exactly what I was after!
Julie Barber Nov 30, 2020:
I looked at "reconnaitre" in the dictionary in French and one entry is "constater", and in turn an entry for "constater" is "to oberserve": Remarquer objectivement quelque chose, l'enregistrer comme vrai, réel, observer. So, I would say that "witnessed" is acceptable and also think that "witness statement" is OK, as that is effectively what it is. Dictionary entry for reconnaissance: Action de reconnaître quelqu'un ou quelque chose : La reconnaissance d'une pièce à conviction par **un témoin**.
Wendy Cummings (asker) Nov 30, 2020:
Note that the first document, in which the writer clearly says he witnessed the marriage, is also entitled "acte de reconnaissance"
Wendy Cummings (asker) Nov 30, 2020:
My gut feel is that it means witness statement, but that because the writer is French-speaking African, the word has been used incorrectly. However, because this will be used in a legal case, I am naturally reluctant to go on a "gut feel"!
Carol Gullidge Nov 30, 2020:
Just a thought: Could this also be an act of acknowledgment? This seems to be not quite the same as a witness statement

Proposed translations

-1
48 mins

acte de reconnaissance as act of Recognition and acte de reconnu as recognized witness

This link will help you find the more appropriate difference between the two.
https://www.vd.ch/themes/population/etat-civil/reconnaissanc...
Reference:

https://www.vd.ch/themes/population/etat-civil/reconnaissance/

Note from asker:
Thank you for your input. However, that link refers to the recognition of paternity in Switzerland, not marriage. Also, please note that the two terms are "reconnu" and "acte de reconnaissance", not "acte de reconnu"
Peer comment(s):
disagree AllegroTrans : "Act" is seldom if ever the correct translation of "Acte" and your link is irrelevant to this particular context
3 days 2 hrs
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4 hrs
French term (edited): acte de reconnaissance; reconnu

Formal declaration by witness; (I have) personally witnessed

These terms are commonly encountered in French.
"Acte" is almost never translated "Act" in English. This would be highly unidiomatic.
Also "recognize" and "recognition" are 100% unidiomatic, and are misleading as suggesting a governmental action or the like.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 hrs (2020-11-30 13:35:20 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Alternatives for acte de reconnaissance: (1) Witness declaration. (2) Formal statement of witness.
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6 hrs
French term (edited): AFR-FRE: acte de reconnaissance / avoir reconnu

E&W: record of acknowledgement / to have acknowledged

Record is used to dodge the US-Am. used of a deed for land-only.

"Je soussigne atteste avoir reconnu le mariage..." - doesn't necessarily imply said brother had been privy to the exchange of vows. In the UK, a witness, testator or testatrix of Will can acknowledge ex post facto a signature added by someone on the latter's behalf.
Example sentence:

UK Wills Act 1837, s. 9a: After attesting to and witnessing the signing of the will, the witnesses must attest the will by signing and acknowledging their signature in the presence of the testator.

Reference:

http://www.proz.com/kudoz/french-to-english/certificates-diplomas-licenses-cvs/6365801-acte-de-reconnaissance.html

http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/manuscriptsandspecialcollections/researchguidance/deedsindepth/associated/acknowledgment.aspx

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2 days 14 hrs

(signed) statement of witness to marriage ceremony

Why not just go for a descriptive translation here? Given that there is no indication that this is any kind of an official document, I think it's the best solution. "Formal declaration" "Act" and "Deed" all seem to be over-translation. We don't even know what is the purpose of the document.
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