Glossary entry (derived from question below)
French term or phrase:
électron libre
English translation:
wandering star
Added to glossary by
Michele Fauble
Nov 3, 2004 15:29
19 yrs ago
4 viewers *
French term
électron libre
French to English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
"X est un électron libre de l'art contemporain. Sans domicile fixe par conviction, funambule des fuseaux horaires, il sillonne en permanence les laboratoires et les tribus artistiques de Sydney, Londres, Rio et Milan.
This is a descriptive text written in a very literary style.
I know what the author means by 'électron libre' but have no idea how to translate this. I don't think 'free electron' sounds good in English. Can anyone suggest a good translation?
Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
This is a descriptive text written in a very literary style.
I know what the author means by 'électron libre' but have no idea how to translate this. I don't think 'free electron' sounds good in English. Can anyone suggest a good translation?
Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 | wandering star |
Michele Fauble
|
| 4 +4 | free spirit |
Robert Schlarb
|
| 4 | untamed spirit |
Felicite Robertson
|
| 4 | maverick |
David Hunter
|
| 4 | loose cannon |
Bourth (X)
|
| 3 | unfettered element |
RHELLER
|
Proposed translations
4 hrs
Michele Fauble
United States
United States
Native in English
United States
Native English
Native in: English 
Works in: Norwegian to English, Danish to English, Swedish to English
Related KudoZ points
:
11
French term (edited):
�lectron libre
Selected
wandering star
This keeps the scientific reference.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 hrs 44 mins (2004-11-03 20:13:45 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
... A wandering star, he lives out of a suitcase. ... It is, we learned, a \"gated estate built in the late 80s as an art collector\'s residence\". ...
film.guardian.co.uk/features/ featurepages/0,4120,968389,00.html
... It shows the effect of a wandering star converging on the inner solar system.
www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/youth_educators/ educators/resources/packages/orbital/gravitational.asp
...born under a wandering star by Michael McDonagh.
www.tokyo.to/stories/lonelyplanet/
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 hrs 44 mins (2004-11-03 20:13:45 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
... A wandering star, he lives out of a suitcase. ... It is, we learned, a \"gated estate built in the late 80s as an art collector\'s residence\". ...
film.guardian.co.uk/features/ featurepages/0,4120,968389,00.html
... It shows the effect of a wandering star converging on the inner solar system.
www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/youth_educators/ educators/resources/packages/orbital/gravitational.asp
...born under a wandering star by Michael McDonagh.
www.tokyo.to/stories/lonelyplanet/
3 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks very much for your suggestion. I liked yours particularly because it keeps the scientific reference, as you said."
+4
3 mins
Robert Schlarb
Native in English
Bilingual German-Canadian researcher
Native in: English 
, German
Works in: German to English, English to German, French to English, and 1 more.
French term (edited):
�lectron libre
free spirit
although I find "free electron" convincing image in English too
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Felicite Robertson
: nice
10 mins
|
| agree |
French Foodie
23 mins
|
| agree |
translatol
: I agree with 'free electron': a more live and 'electrifying' image than the conventional 'free spirit'.
31 mins
|
| agree |
David Hunter
: free spirit is ok for the positive aspect of the character in question.
1 hr
|
13 mins
Felicite Robertson
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in French
&
English
United Kingdom
Native in: French , English
Works in: French to English, Spanish to English, English to French, and 4 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
4
French term (edited):
�lectron libre
untamed spirit
none
21 mins
French term (edited):
�lectron libre
unfettered element
unfettered being
unbound
untethered figure
unbound
untethered figure
1 hr
French term (edited):
�lectron libre
maverick
See Kudoz search. Seems to give the rebel, sdf side of the character, free spirit being a bit idealistic.
3 hrs
French term (edited):
�lectron libre
loose cannon
Though conventionally this expression implies an element of danger. Used recently of John Kerry's exploits in Vietnam.
Something went wrong...