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
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. French to English
  3. Government / Politics

en faire un drapeau commun

English translation: made it into a common cause

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:en faire un drapeau commun
English translation:made it into a common cause
Entered by: Diana Huet de Guerville

14:56 Jul 28, 2015
French to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Government / Politics
French term or phrase: en faire un drapeau commun
Hello,

I'm translating a speech by a high-raking French dignitary given at a conference, and I'm not sure I really understand the expression above. He's thanking a list of people for all they've done:

"Je veux aussi saluer le président de la région, xxx, une région – si j’ai bien compris – à énergie positive avant même que la ministre xxx ***en ait fait un drapeau commun.***"

The rest of the speech before and after this sentence if of no help, unfortunately.

Has anyone seen this expression before? Maybe I'm just a bit brain dead at the end of the day, but I can't figure out what this means let alone translate it. UK English is fine though would be happy to hear what Americans might say as well...

Thanks for any suggestions!
Diana Huet de Guerville
France
Local time: 15:31
made it into a common cause
Explanation:
all lined up behind the same banner
Selected response from:

polyglot45
Grading comment
I ended up going with this one, thanks!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +4made it into a common cause
polyglot45
5turned it into a shared cause
AbrahamS
4to make it our shared commitment
Daryo
4to turn into a shared purpose
Francois Boye
3brought under a single umbrella
MAHESH K


Discussion entries: 8





  

Answers


10 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
made it into a common cause


Explanation:
all lined up behind the same banner

polyglot45
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 44
Grading comment
I ended up going with this one, thanks!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  philgoddard: You were first!
0 min
agree  writeaway
19 mins
agree  BrigitteHilgner
23 mins
agree  Lisa Jane
2 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

15 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
to make it our shared commitment


Explanation:
"un drapeau" = a flag / a standard, used as a symbol to rally those dedicated to same "cause" be it a medieval monarch, a state or an idea

"un drapeau commun" = the idea of "à énergie positive" has been turned into a "cause commune"

une région – si j’ai bien compris – à énergie positive avant même que la ministre en ait fait un drapeau commun.
=
this region was following the idea of "à énergie positive" [whatever it is] even before the Minister XYZ made it our shared commitment

Daryo
United Kingdom
Local time: 14:31
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in SerbianSerbian, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 33
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

15 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
en ai fait un drapeau commun
turned it into a shared cause


Explanation:
This is a reference to Environment Ministre Ségolène Royal having launched a programme to foster the development of clean energy in the French régions by selecting ten "territoire à énergie positive pour la croissance verte".
So, "énergie positive" is no longer specific to Rhône-Alpes.


    Reference: http://www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/Segolene-Royal-inve...
AbrahamS
United Kingdom
Local time: 14:31
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

21 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
to turn into a shared purpose


Explanation:
my take

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 44 mins (2015-07-28 15:40:34 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

http://www.forbes.com/sites/rawnshah/2015/02/16/the-leadersh...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 hrs (2015-07-28 21:24:57 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Erratum: insert IT between 'turn' and 'into'

Francois Boye
United States
Local time: 09:31
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 16
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 day 20 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
brought under a single umbrella


Explanation:
I think the sense is to have a collective approach

MAHESH K
India
Local time: 19:01
Native speaker of: Native in TamilTamil
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search