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. English
  3. General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

conjoint

English translation: spouse

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:conjoint
Selected answer:spouse
Entered by: Tony M

18:56 Feb 14, 2019
English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Law/Patents - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters / Divorce
English term or phrase: conjoint
Dear all,

I am translating a court decision on a divorce case.
The text, which is itself most probably a translation from Russian into English,
contains the following:
===
...[I]n case of mutual agreement of the ***conjoints*** for divorce, the court makes divorcement without ascertainment of divorce causes.
===
How would you understand the word "conjoint"?
(I think I know the answer, but I would like to make sure.)

Thank you in advance,
Igor Timko
Igor Timko
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:23
spouse
Explanation:
Is clearly the term needed here — and is about the only one that is gender-neutral!

I think it is safe to say that, until the divorce is pronounced, up till that point they can still be referred to as 'spouses'.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2019-02-14 20:35:35 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

And yes, that EN source text is just appalling :-(
Selected response from:

Tony M
France
Local time: 13:23
Grading comment
Thank you, Tony!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +5spouse
Tony M
5 +2husband and wife/married couple
Alžbeta Takácsová
3 +1cônjuges
Paula Marques


Discussion entries: 4





  

Answers


10 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
cônjuges


Explanation:
I cannot be certain, since this is already a translation from a translation, as you say, but I believe what is meant by "the conjoints" is "os cônjuges", in Portuguese, as it makes sense in the sentence.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 16 mins (2019-02-14 19:13:01 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

"Cônjuges" means spouses. I hope this helps.

Paula Marques
Canada
Local time: 07:23
Does not meet criteria
Native speaker of: Portuguese
Notes to answerer
Asker: Many thanks, Paula. And what does it mean in English? :)


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  writeaway: With your translation from Portuguese to English. You were first as the saying goes
13 hrs
  -> Thank you :)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

18 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
conjoints
husband and wife/married couple


Explanation:
conjoints (not conjoint) legalese for married couple


    Reference: http://https://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/conjoi...
Alžbeta Takácsová
Slovakia
Local time: 13:23
Does not meet criteria
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in SlovakSlovak

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: These days, it may be husband and husband or wife and wife, so these gender-specific terms are usually deliberately (and best!) avoided.
1 hr
agree  Tina Vonhof (X): The couple or the parties. If they are seeking a divorce, it's superfluous to say that that they are married.
1 hr
agree  Yvonne Gallagher: with Tina
6 hrs
agree  GILLES MEUNIER
8 hrs
disagree  Daryo: the whole point of using "spouse" (the term that should have been used) is not to refer to the couple, but to have one term that is applicable to any of the individuals that are part of a married couple [i.e. to avoid specifying husband of wife],
12 hrs
agree  Björn Vrooman: I didn't want to get involved here, but not only do I agree with Tina and Yvonne, but the above disagreement is based on a specious argument.
13 hrs
disagree  writeaway: Conjoint is not legalese for spouse in English. It's everyday French however
13 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
spouse


Explanation:
Is clearly the term needed here — and is about the only one that is gender-neutral!

I think it is safe to say that, until the divorce is pronounced, up till that point they can still be referred to as 'spouses'.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2019-02-14 20:35:35 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

And yes, that EN source text is just appalling :-(

Tony M
France
Local time: 13:23
Meets criteria
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 309
Grading comment
Thank you, Tony!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  AllegroTrans
3 hrs
  -> Thanks, C!
agree  Manuel Cedeño Berrueta: I believe it should be plural, “the spouses”
5 hrs
  -> ¡Gracias Manuel! As per KudoZ rules, both the asked term and the answer are in glossary form, i.e. singular, uninflected. This term can equally well be used in either sg or pl.
agree  Daryo: exactly that
10 hrs
  -> Thanks, Daryo!
agree  British Diana
13 hrs
  -> Thanks, Diana!
agree  B D Finch
15 hrs
  -> Thanks, B!
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