This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
Usines exercées
seul écoulement du temps
Nov 9, 2010 13:10
13 yrs ago
French term

Pour de bons motifs

French to English Art/Literary Art, Arts & Crafts, Painting
C'est un titre qui signifie à la fois "pour un joli design" et "pour faire des choses bien". C'est le titre de l'interview d'un artiste qui dessine des motifs répétés, et s'investit beaucoup dans des oeuvres.
Je cherche à un jeu de mots correspondant. (perso je ne vois pas vraiment le jeu de mot, mais la cliente le voit)
Proposed translations (English)
3 +4 With design in mind
4 +2 for good motifs
4 +1 along the right lines
3 +1 Following the right pattern / On solid ground
4 Ulterior motifs
3 -1 Motivated by motifs / motifs are our motive

Discussion

Sandrine Guyennet (asker) Nov 9, 2010:
patterns Jeux de Mots> all sorts. For instance a drawing will be a giraffe. The eyes will be circles filled with a dots pattern. The patches will be filled with a tiny crosses pattern. The horns filled with checkers pattern, etc...
Sarah Bessioud Nov 9, 2010:
As a matter of interest... ...what sort of patterns are they? Lines, circles, dots, abstract? It may help with a solution.
Sandrine Guyennet (asker) Nov 9, 2010:
Indeed I would not keep the play on words but the client seems to really really want it.
Y. Peraza Nov 9, 2010:
Jeu de mots I thinks the asker means he(/she?) can't see the (interest of keeping) the original play on words ;-)
Noni Gilbert Riley Nov 9, 2010:
But the client doesn't speak English ...otherwise she wouldn't be paying you for the translation. And she will have to accept that such wordplay is just not available in the English version! Or may sound very forced.

Proposed translations

+4
17 mins
Selected

With design in mind

not a play on words as such, but compensated by a rhyme
Peer comment(s):
agree Helen Shiner : or 'with good design in mind'. Or even just 'well designed'
18 mins
many thanks Helen!
agree amanda solymosi
1 hr
many thanks Amanda!
agree JaneD
3 hrs
many thanks Janed!
agree Noni Gilbert Riley : Yes, avoids the wordplay which we aren't all satisfied with, and as you say, punches with the rhyme!
4 hrs
many thanks Noni :)
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "thank you!"
+2
19 mins

for good motifs

I see nothing wrong with a literal translation which maintains the play on words of the original.

Motif is a unit of design, a particular motif is used in every design that is selected by designer, so a good designer should always be well informed about ...
www.scribd.com › Research › Arts & Architecture
Peer comment(s):
neutral Y. Peraza : In French, "motif" means also "reason", hence the play on words.
2 mins
agree David Vaughn : The play on words still comes across in English to these Good Ol' Boy ears.
2 hrs
agree Verginia Ophof : agree with David ! motif/motives
10 hrs
Something went wrong...
+1
6 mins

Following the right pattern / On solid ground

I realise these translations are not so close to the original, but I think they could be valid options.
But what is it the artist designs? Clothes?

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 20 mins (2010-11-09 13:31:42 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

OK... Then forget the "solid ground" option! I still think the "right pattern" one can do, though ;-)
Note from asker:
He's making very complicated drawings made of a lot of different patterns.
Peer comment(s):
agree Catharine Cellier-Smart : "following the right pattern"
3 mins
:-)
Something went wrong...
+1
45 mins

along the right lines

This is my best attempt at keeping the play on words, together with similar meanings. As lines most probably make up the patterns in some way, this may be a viable option.
Peer comment(s):
agree Sandra Petch : I like this!
1 hr
Thanks Sandra
Something went wrong...
1 hr

Ulterior motifs

I am assuming that the article will appear in print.
Something went wrong...
-1
5 mins

Motivated by motifs / motifs are our motive

OK, if the client insists....

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 hrs (2010-11-09 18:04:09 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

How did I get to this? Well, patterns = motifs which is a similar word to motives, meaning reasons ...
Peer comment(s):
disagree philgoddard : You haven't read the context.
1 hr
Yes I have Phil, but if you don't like my suggestion, that's OK.
Something went wrong...
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search