pain complet vs. semi-complet

English translation: wholemeal/wholewheat vs. wheatmeal

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:pain complet vs. semi-complet
English translation:wholemeal/wholewheat vs. wheatmeal
Entered by: Mike Goeden (X)

17:51 Sep 24, 2006
French to English translations [PRO]
Cooking / Culinary
French term or phrase: pain complet vs. semi-complet
Hello everyone,

It would seem that English doesn't distinguish between these two terms, considering both whole-meal or whole-wheat breads (since the baker decides what percentage of whole-wheat flour to use). Am I wrong? Is there, in fact, a specific English term for "pain semi-complet"? Thanks in advance for your help.
Mike Goeden (X)
Local time: 13:59
wholemeal vs. wheatmeal
Explanation:
Chanda's answer is the US version, I think. This is the UK version, but it is all very complicated and designed to confuse us and no doubt the French regulations on bread baking are different. The bread is certainly better!

Selected response from:

B D Finch
France
Local time: 13:59
Grading comment
Thanks, Barbara. Though I wasn't familiar with this term and it certainly isn't common, "wheatmeal" is indeed an elegant option for translating "semi-complet". "Wholegrain" isn't necessarily "wholemeal", since relatively light breads can also have whole grains incorporated into the flour mixture. In any case, it seems we don't usually distinguish between complet and semi-complet in English.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +1wholemeal vs. wheatmeal
B D Finch
2wholemeal (wholegrain) vs semi-wholemeal?
Kylli


  

Answers


17 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
wholemeal vs. wheatmeal


Explanation:
Chanda's answer is the US version, I think. This is the UK version, but it is all very complicated and designed to confuse us and no doubt the French regulations on bread baking are different. The bread is certainly better!




    Reference: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A2198586
B D Finch
France
Local time: 13:59
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 43
Grading comment
Thanks, Barbara. Though I wasn't familiar with this term and it certainly isn't common, "wheatmeal" is indeed an elegant option for translating "semi-complet". "Wholegrain" isn't necessarily "wholemeal", since relatively light breads can also have whole grains incorporated into the flour mixture. In any case, it seems we don't usually distinguish between complet and semi-complet in English.
Notes to answerer
Asker: Sorry, I meant "wholegrain" isn't necessarily "complet"...


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Liz Conran: I agree with this. There are so many different names in French for 'brown' breads but relatively few in English.
5 hrs
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1 day 6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
wholemeal (wholegrain) vs semi-wholemeal?


Explanation:
I'm almost sure that the "semi-wholemeal" word is a French loan translation, but some British seem to use it. The URL below is a discussion about a Tesco breadmaker.
But also, I found several other links where they didn't make much difference between 100% and, say, 50% wholemeal bread, at least not terminologically.


    Reference: http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/breadmaker-reviews.asp
Kylli
Local time: 14:59
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EstonianEstonian
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks for your suggestion, Kylli, but I would avoid using this term. Like you said, it seems to be a direct loan from French; the "semi-whole" wording is rather awkward in English.

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