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  3. Tourism & Travel

Demi-cloison

English translation: Separation

11:21 Dec 16, 2013
French to English translations [PRO]
Marketing - Tourism & Travel / Camp-site brochure; chalet description
French term or phrase: Demi-cloison
I'm afraid the source term may actually be misleading, but that's the term chosen by the direct client, a camp-site owner, for their rather basic, and dated, rental cabin/bungalow that's sold as a "back to nature" alternative to their more expensive mobile homes. The term doesn't figure in the text about the accommodation, just alongside an arrow on the floor plan. I've queried it with her, and she's given this explanation:

Pour le demi-cloison : il va jusqu'en haut mais c'était pour expliquer aux
gens qu'il n'y avait pas de séparation "fermé" entre chaque espace de vie (pas
de porte). Vous comprenez ce que je veux dire ? Entre la chambre et la cuisine
et la salle à manger ... ce n'est pas fermé.

Apparently, there is no curtain or anything else for privacy, and with the very basic and very small nature of this cabin/bungalow/chalet, I think we're looking at a bit of plywood sticking out from each wall, rather than a wall with an archway separating the two areas.

Has anyone any bright ideas for this? I'm looking for something:
- short (it figures on a floor plan)
- positive (for the marketing effect, not to put people off)
- short of an actual lie
Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 12:48
English translation:Separation
Explanation:
How about simply 'Separation' or 'light wall', 'light room divider' or Room divider?
My boyf suggests 'Japanese style wall', how's that for marketing? ;-)
Selected response from:

Helene Tammik
Local time: 13:48
Grading comment
Thanks. I went with divider in the end
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +5Semi-partition / room divider
Carol Gullidge
4Separation
Helene Tammik
3screen
Claire Cox
3half wall
rachelha


  

Answers


14 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Separation


Explanation:
How about simply 'Separation' or 'light wall', 'light room divider' or Room divider?
My boyf suggests 'Japanese style wall', how's that for marketing? ;-)

Helene Tammik
Local time: 13:48
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 16
Grading comment
Thanks. I went with divider in the end
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

26 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
screen


Explanation:
I wonder if screen might work? Or even half-screen, although i think that's probably too much information. A screen is necessarily a temporary sort of structure, yet doesn't sound too negative.

Claire Cox
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:48
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 28
Notes to answerer
Asker: The problem I see with screen is that this should provide privacy, and that's exactly what isn't provided here


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  AllegroTrans: I have a divider (base units) between my kitchen & dining area, but I would not call it a "screen"
4 hrs
  -> I was imagining a more temporary, perhaps even folding structure, but of course screens can take many different forms
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
half wall


Explanation:
-

rachelha
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:48
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  AllegroTrans: what it it's not an actual wall, but a structure such as a cupboard/unit etc.?
3 hrs
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16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +5
Semi-partition / room divider


Explanation:


might fit the bill

I'm thinking of a partition/divider that reaches the ceiling, but only comes part-way across the room/space

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 days (2013-12-20 19:48:17 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

I did too, but Helene beat me to it, so no probs! Have a good Christmas!

Carol Gullidge
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:48
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 62
Notes to answerer
Asker: Helene got the points as I went with divider in the end, but thanks for your help, Carol.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Nikki Scott-Despaigne: Partition or divider is probably sufficient. Partition immediately came to mind and I don't think it needs qualifying in any way really. I suspect the original uses "demi" as a "cloison" can mean a full wall separation too.
10 mins
  -> thanks Nikki, and I agree, especially if space is at a premium
agree  John Holland: Some pictures: http://www.houzz.com/room-dividers , http://www.houzz.com/room-partition
22 mins
  -> Thanks John, also for the links! And a very nice partition that is!
agree  writeaway: And with Nikki. Don't fully understand the problem
34 mins
  -> thanks writeaway!
agree  AllegroTrans
4 hrs
  -> thanks Allegro! Although Helene did in fact pip me to the post with room divider
agree  Miranda Joubioux (X)
20 hrs
  -> Thanks Miranda!
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