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The asker opted for community grading. The question was closed on 2015-08-20 09:54:12 based on peer agreement (or, if there were too few peer comments, asker preference.)
French to English translations [Non-PRO] Art/Literary - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters / Article on French sculptor
French term or phrase:le compagnon de cordée
This part of this article about a famous sculptor describes him in a black and white photograph, where he is wrestling with the plaster and so wrapped up by what he is working on with his material that he appears to be wrestling with it :
"Il est le disciple industrieux et le compagnon de cordée, il est celui qui s’y colle, qui met la main à la pâte, qui donne corps aux idées de l’autre, qui incarne ses rêves, desseins et lubies."
I began translating as "He is the industrious disciple and the roped up companion."
I assume that the "cordée" reference is connected to the wrestling metaphor, but I cannot see why "compagnon" is being used here. His teacher, another famous sculptor, is in the photograph, but there are no other references to anybody else appearing.
It is not connected to wrestling. Wrestling is a word I used to describe another part of the text. As my discussion post of 16.05 says "Yes, I was aware of the climbing partner idea, but there are absolutely no climbing connotations elsewhere." Thanks for your help
The meain idea is that of a partnership. Equal pegging. The industrious disciple idea which precedes, conveys the ideas of following a master. It contrasts with the "compagnon de cordée" idea where there is no master.
"Compagnon de cordée" is an image I've seen fairly often in the context of sports translations having nothing to do with climbing. I suppose many of us also think of the book/film "premier de Cordée" as soon as the word "cordée" appears. Bref, keep it simple.
implies the image of 2 or more people climbing together to reach a summit / to achieve some common goal - can't see how it could be connected to wresting;
"le compagnon de cordée" is the follower, "la tête de cordée" is the leader
@Lara My apologies then... As you wrote "I assume that the "cordée" reference is connected to the wrestling metaphor," I understood you were making a link... Une cordée is a roped party. in the past it could also be a sort of measure like in "une cordée de bois", but the context is very clear, as this sort of cordée won't have "un compagnon".
You've got the picture... just a few comments from a frenchman. "compagnon de cordée" is carrying 2 ideas - somebody sharing your goal. (as in "compagnon de route") - Someboby you can trust
if refers to roped parties climbing together. Nothing to do with wrestling or anything else. The one leading the roped party is called "le premier de cordée" (re. "Premier de Cordée" Frison-Roche 1942)
The whole text here makes clear references (in french) to one being the leader, having the "ideas", the other one fighting, working hard to make things happen, opening ways, digging in all directions to give life, "substance" to the ideas of the "master".
I like Wendy's alternative answer of "sparring partner", but I also like Philippa's (as yet non-posted) suggestion of "faithful ally". I liked DLyons' connections and ideas, but find "infantryman" too connotative of other (non relevant) ideas.
Any comments on these? Or any more "agrees" to be had?
I agree with Tony that coach and confidente don't work here. And I don't think you need to worry about carrying on the wrestling metaphor: it's fine to use it for the previous sentences, then move on (as does the French) to something else, i.e. the disciple/companion idea.
I don't think either of your latest suggestions really works in EN.
Not 'coach', because there is no suggestion that this disciple is also coaching his master (reverse mentoring?) — and the 'compagnon de cordée' suggests more about equals, which I think is what is being contrasted here with the notion of master/disciple. And 'confidante' really takes it in a whole new direction altogether — after all, there is quite a difference in EN between 'havng confidence' in someone and 'confiding' in them!
The sculptor's tutor Jean Arp is described to be in the photograph pointing his stick/baton (as though he may be directing something off-field). So this I presume is the "master".
Maybe "trusted coach"? - in terms of the wrestling/fight nuance I have been using.
Yes, a 'compagnon de cordée' is someone you need to have complete faith in — so it sounds as if the writer is referring to this sculptor first as a 'disciple' (albeit of an unamed master) and secondly as a trusted peer.
In context, I think the climbing reference image does not work well in English. The French is short and has a nice ring to it with "ca'- de co'-". What it means is clear : a partner or team member you can rely on. That is what the EN solution will need to convey.
Suggestions : - the perfect acolyte (altho' I know, it is close to disciple)! - the perfect partner - " " acomplice - " " associate, ally, colleague, comrade, companion (close to the FR), etc.
That's what it means in the literal sense, and here presumably it is meant to underline his supportive role to the other sculptor: the sentence as a whole (e.g. with the use of disciple and "donner corps au idées de l'autre) is saying there is the leader then the disciple/partner who backs him up. You could keep the same metaphor in English, or find a different one that puts across the same idea of a faithful partner on whom the leader depends...
Explanation: In my opinion, the expression "compagnon de cordée" conveys two main notions: that of a team working towards the same goal, and that of reliable companions that can be entrusted with one's life. There may be something to be looked at around the idea of "teammate", but to me, the only word that carries strongly enough the two notions of partnership and dependability is "comrade".
AbrahamS United Kingdom Local time: 08:19 Native speaker of: French PRO pts in category: 12
Explanation: A "compagnon de cordée" is a climbing partner: mountaineering or rock climbing, nothing to do with wrestling. The metaphor would not be recognised as readily in English, so it is best dropped (sorry for the unfortunate pun). The point about a climbing partner is that they need to be absolutely reliable and communication between climbing partners needs to be instinctive.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 20 hrs (2015-08-17 10:43:19 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Elsewhere in the Asker's text, there is not just a wrestling metaphor, but also a fencing metaphor. The writer seems to like relating to lots of different sports. Though climbing is popular in Britain, it doesn't enjoy the same general public awareness that it does in France, possibly because of a relative lack of mountains.
B D Finch France Local time: 09:19 Works in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 136
Notes to answerer
Asker: The wrestling metaphor appears elsewhere in the paragraph. This is why the idea could be incorporated.
1 hr confidence: peer agreement (net): +3
trusty companion
Explanation: Or "partner in crime" with quotation marks. Or even sparring partner if you want to keep your wrestling image.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 2 hrs (2015-08-16 16:29:30 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
One could also say "who'd go through thick and thin"
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 2 hrs (2015-08-16 16:41:37 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Maybe you could do something with henchman or minion, but I'm afraid I don't have any more time at the moment.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 22 hrs (2015-08-17 12:57:56 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Having read pages 17 and 18 of the following link, a devoted follower would seem appropriate.
