objets et notions

English translation: objectives and ideas

20:55 Nov 8, 2017

French to English translations [Non-PRO]
Science - Education / Pedagogy

French term or phrase: objets et notions

This is from a guide for a program to promote science education through research. It pairs mentors in science and engineering fields with teachers and their classes so that the students can carry out a class research project under the guidance of the mentor. The idea is to teach kids about the scientific method in a very hands on way. This part is directed at the mentors:

Aidez l’enseignant-e et les élèves à comprendre ce qu’est la méthode scientifique en général et les outils, ***objets et notions*** de votre champ disciplinaire en particulier.

At first I thought it was something like objectives and concepts, but upon further reflection and googling, I'm tempted to use "objects and notions" because it gets a lot of hits on google. My sole reservation is that the register isn't quite right - objects and notions (as well as the French original) appear in scholarly texts for the most part, whereas this text is very down-to-earth and straightforward in tone. I guess I'm worried the engineers won't get it.

Does anyone know which field "objets et notions" comes from? Philosophy? Who came up with it? I would much rather use more straightforward terminology, so I'd be extremely grateful for other suggestions!

tatyana000 KudoZ activity Questions: 448 (5 open) (1 without valid answers) (31 closed without grading) Answers: 187
Local time: 14:16

English translation:objectives and ideas

Explanation:
I think the your first interpretation is closer to the meaning and the kind of register you desire for the target text.

Selected response from:

Barbara Cochran, MFA
United States
Local time: 08:16

Grading comment

Thank you!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

3 +1

objectives and ideas

Barbara Cochran, MFA

aims and notions

Nikki Scott-Despaigne

material and overview

Philippe Lascourrèges

Answers

16 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

objectives and ideas

Explanation:
I think the your first interpretation is closer to the meaning and the kind of register you desire for the target text.

Barbara Cochran, MFA
United States
Local time: 08:16
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 27

Grading comment

Thank you!

1 day 12 hrs confidence:

material and overview

Explanation:
Suggestion

Philippe Lascourrèges
France
Local time: 14:16
Works in field
Native speaker of: French
PRO pts in category: 4

1 day 13 hrs confidence:

aims and notions

Explanation:
Just coming up with an alternative suggestion, not that different from what has already been suggested. The aim of the programme is to make science more accessible. As this is education, becoming familiar with the terminology is part of that educational process; it will enhance accessibility. As the French is using the "right" term, the intention seems to be to include at least some of the terminology. Let the source text be your guide and stick to the same register.

Scientific articles, be they "hard" or "soft" science, both employ these terms. I'd stick with "aims and notions".

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day13 hrs (2017-11-10 10:40:26 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Good scientific writing, at any level, is about using language that is precise in well structured sentences with no frills. It is also very much about using the right terminology. The register of the French suggests there is no need to simplfy the English.

Nikki Scott-Despaigne
Local time: 14:16
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 148

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

objets et notions

English translation: objectives and ideas

Answers

KudoZ™ translation help

Your current localization setting

Select a language

objets et notions

English translation: objectives and ideas

Answers

KudoZ™ translation help

You have native languages that can be verified

Your current localization setting

Select a language