accueil

English translation: arrival / arrangements in place

18:03 Dec 27, 2011

French to English translations [PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

French term or phrase: accueil

Hello all,

I know it's just one, "simple" word that I have known for years, but I am stuck on the best translation in this context.

This comes from a handbook that tells international students what they need to know about their scholarship from Belgium. I am actually proofreading it - it has already been translated. However, the original translator translated accueil in this context as "welcome reception," so an actual event with perhaps drinks and a meet and greet. In the context, I don't think this is right. I think it has more to do with arrangements that are put in place or that have to be made upon arrival in the country - but I don't want to take that and run with it in case it instead refers to some sort of student orientation maybe? I am hoping I can get some other opinions on this meaning and perhaps a slightly less wordy, slightly more standard way of saying that - perhaps there is a perfect turn of phrase that is simply escaping me! Original text below, with original translator's translation in case that's any help at all. I have seen the KudoZ entry on "accueil scolaire," which is close, but I think that this context has more to do with the formalities of arriving in the country, rather than arriving at the university itself.

Modalités relatives à l’accueil lors de l’arrivée en Belgique
Quelques jours avant votre départ, vous recevrez, par e-mail, des informations précises concernant les modalités de votre accueil en Belgique.
Consultez donc votre messagerie régulièrement !
Si vous ne souhaitez pas bénéficier de l’accueil prévu et/ou envisagez de vous occuper vous-même de votre logement, vous devrez obligatoirement en avertir votre université d’accueil et ce, dès réception de ce message.
L’université d’accueil sera déliée, à partir du moment de la notification de la renonciation par le boursier, de toute obligation concernant l’organisation de l’accueil et/ou du logement.
Si vous ne manifestez pas votre renonciation alors que vous avez organisé vous-même votre accueil et/ou les modalités de votre logement, vous devrez rembourser à l’université d’accueil les frais exposés par celle-ci.

Arrangements regarding arrival in Belgium
A few days prior to your departure, you will receive an e-mail, containing precise information concerning the arrangements for your welcome reception in Belgium.
Please check your e-mail regularly!
If you do not want a planned reception and/or intend to take care of your own accommodations, you must notify your host university when you receive this message.
As soon as they are notified by the scholarship recipient, the host university will be released from any obligations regarding organization of your welcome reception or accommodation.
If you do not show your renunciation while organizing your own welcome reception and/or housing arrangements, you will have to reimburse the host university for expenses rendered.

Roberta Beyer KudoZ activity Questions: 239 (2 open) (1 without valid answers) (23 closed without grading) Answers: 84 United States
Local time: 20:03

English translation:arrival / arrangements in place

Explanation:
I agree that the existing translation risks seriously disappointing the students! I would put "arrival" again in the second occurrence of the word, and "arrangements in place" in other occurrences of "accueil"

Selected response from:

Margaret Rigaud
Local time: 02:03

Grading comment

Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

3 +5

arrival / arrangements in place

Margaret Rigaud

4 +3

reception

Sheila Wilson

Welcome service

Anne Greaves

Discussion entries: 2

Answers

9 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +5

arrival / arrangements in place

Margaret Rigaud
Local time: 02:03
Works in field
Native speaker of:

French,

English
PRO pts in category: 4

Grading comment

Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Notes to answerer

Asker: Margaret - Thanks! Indeed, I did put arrival again in the second occurrence of the word in my proof. "Arrangements in place" does seem to work and cover all possibilities as well as impart the vagueness of the original.

15 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +3

reception

Explanation:
Personally, I would hedge my bets here. ;-) It seems to me that the translation has been done well and there could actually be an element of people being there to greet the student on arrival.

However, "welcome reception" forces you to go down the party line, whereas just plain "reception" can mean either the rather vague organisation of the arrival or the physical receiving of a person (by one individual or a whole party).

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Note added at 49 mins (2011-12-27 18:53:00 GMT)
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Yes, I am British. Mind you, you've got me thinking now! I'm almost sure we talk about our reception in a new job or country in a rather vague way to say whether it was a positive or negative experience. I'll do some research to make sure, as I've been out of the UK for almost 20 years now.

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Note added at 1 hr (2011-12-27 19:04:47 GMT)
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Found some just round the corner from me at my local uni:
http://www.pres-univ-montp.fr/english/international.php
International Student Reception
Following International Reception Policy, led by the European University Centre since 1994, the International Students Reception office of PRES-UMSF, in close collaboration with the Prefecture of Hérault, offers personalized reception for foreign students and researchers. This office supports you by handling your administrative issues (e.g. obtaining a resident's permit, finding accommodation and CAF (Family allowances fund) Download the brochure “Study in Montpellier 2010 - international students. “
Of course, this text has most likely been translated from French!!! :-)

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Note added at 1 hr (2011-12-27 19:11:40 GMT)
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Although not in the strict context of the source term, these are other instances of the word "reception" as I see it being used in the context:

http://english.shaanxi.gov.cn/articleService/service/adoptio...
Opinions on the Reception of Foreign Adopters and Adopted Chinese Children Seeking Roots and Revisiting China

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/hmn/W07/circling.cfm
One of his first memories of life in America was watching the mist his breath created in the cold Michigan air every time he exhaled. In the 39 years since that chilly beginning as a fresh-faced 12-year-old refugee from Vietnam, Chi Van Dang has engineered a much warmer reception in his adopted country: In October, the School of Medicine’s vice dean for research was welcomed into the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine, one of the most respected honors in his field.

Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 02:03
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 64

Notes to answerer

Asker: Sheila - Thanks! Are you a UK speaker? I am a US speaker and while it may just be me and not a US thing, to me "reception" almost always means a physical event, and while technically it does have both meanings, it is rarely used as the receiving of a person. This may just be in my head! But if you are a UK speaker and that is more common in UK English, that information would be quite helpful :)

16 hrs confidence:

Welcome service

Explanation:
Gets quite a few hits on Google.

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Note added at 16 hrs (2011-12-28 10:34:30 GMT)
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It appears to offer more than just meeting on arrival, such as help with accommodation.

Reference: http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/international/travellingtolinc...

Anne Greaves
United Kingdom
Local time: 02:03
Native speaker of: English

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English translation: arrival / arrangements in place

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