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French to English translations [Non-PRO] Social Sciences - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters / Political newspaper article
French term or phrase:instrumentalisations de tous ordres
Newspaper article on immigration.
Depuis 2015, partout en Europe, là où l'accueil des réfugiés est digne et maîtrisé, il se passe bien ; là où prévalent l'indignité et le désordre progressent les instrumentalisations de tous ordres.
Does a semi-literal translation like this work? "all sorts of instrumentalisations are happening" ?
Explanation: I really think it needs something as strong as this, given the context.
It's obviously important to have a very firm grasp here of the actual meaning and implication of 'instrumentalization' — 'using something as an instrument', which in current usage tends to mean 'using something as a pretext for an unfounded argument'.
I do think you'll need to look at the rest of your wider context to see to what extent 'exploitation' may be taking place (or not)?
'Instrumentalization' in EN after all only really means 'exploiting for (usually) ideologial purposes' (in its modern usage as something of a buzzword).
another translation into EN of "instrumentalisation" IS "exploitation", which seems to fit the context pretty well in this instance. I'm not saying nothing else will do - I just haven't yet seen any other likely candidates that quite fit the bill in register, etc. I just don't think "instrumentalisation" fits the context in this instance; it seems out of place. Agree with your other comments! I also think "indignité" is a false friend. Much work is needed to get to grips with the source text
"exploitation at all levels is ripening" Oh dear, we do seem to have a comprehension shortfall here! 'ripening' is usually desirable: 'a nice ripe apple'; 'exploitation' (in the sociological sense) is almost invariably undesirable! Thus the verb is hardly appropriate here — especially as in any case we are not talking here about exploitation, ripe or otherwise.
No, I don't think that is strong enough! 'instrumentalization' is a very ugly aspect of modern society — and please note, this has nothing here to do with 'exploitation'! 'Instrumentalization' (= making something into an instrument) is a dedicated term and shouldn't be changed here!
'are taking place' is much too weak here; and don't be tempted to use anything to do with 'progress' — it's far too ugly a process, at least to civilized people, to be able to describe as 'progressing'; it would be a bit like saying "the AIDS epidemic is progressing nicely"!!
I don't agree that this is non-pro. I wouldn't know the meaning of the word without looking it up, though it may be apparent from the text that follows this, which we don't have.
The term does exist in English. Things or people can be "instrumentalized", used by someone or an institution as a means (instrument) to an end (objective). https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/instrumentalize It results in exploitation, which has a very slightly different meaning https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/exploit However, "instrumentaliser" is used more often in French where in English we'd be more likely to use "to exploit", in spite of the difference. "Manipulate" is different again. https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/manipulate It is about seeking to obtain control or influence. The main meaning of "instrumentaliser" is the use of a situation or of an individual as an "instrument", a tool, a thing.
don't make it sound woolly! And remember, this is about exploitation (or whatever you decide on) in all its forms (de tous ordres), so I don't see any problem with the interpretation potentially being a little wider, as you fear it might be
at a push, but is it as clear and precise and also as emotive as the term in the source text? Does it have the same register...? Exploitation has so much more oomph!
I said "manipulation" meaning something along those lines. I see how exploitation does have a placel here, but I also see it in a wider context than this, for example I think it covers all sorts of corruption (in the context) and not just exploitation of the people.
Note that the source article is effective because the style is extremely clear and simple; this is what you need to replicate in the translation - with accuracy of course being paramount!
...and if you read the Wictionary entry carefully, you'll see that the context is indeed philosophy - as I mentioned, and which doesn't apply here. Just think about the sense of the article you're translating: Whilst more apt that "instrumentalisations", could "manipulations" reasonably work here or even sound meaningful in English? Bearing in mind that journalistic writing needs to be crystal clear, what is it that you're trying to express? Have you checked in an ordinary dictionary (not Wictionary)? Mine says "exploitation", which, whilst it may perhaps not end up being your final choice, at least makes sense in the context and could be a good starting point!
And more to the point, why "instrumentalisations"?
14:04 Sep 18, 2018
this means nothing in English, unless you are talking about music or philosophy perhaps. Have you tried looking it up? In my dictionary this translates as "exploitation", which seems far more likely in the context ...
"to happen" and "to take place" are synonymous, so the latter is no different to the former. "Progresser" is dynamic, there is movement. "Happen, take place" describe something fairly static, even with a progressive form of the verb.
Think of syonyms of "to progress" in English : to mvoe forward, to thrive, to flourish, etc. It will depend on what follow too. But you do need a synonym of "progress". You might even find inspiration looking for synonyms in French of "progresser" - something I often use to help me onto the next step of alternatives in English.
Thanks, no I did not use that anyway. I actually put "...all sorts of instrumentalisations are taking place". Do you think that is strong enough or not quite?
Explanation: I really think it needs something as strong as this, given the context.
It's obviously important to have a very firm grasp here of the actual meaning and implication of 'instrumentalization' — 'using something as an instrument', which in current usage tends to mean 'using something as a pretext for an unfounded argument'.
Tony M France Local time: 07:56 Meets criteria Works in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 348
(progressent) les instrumentalisations de tous ordres
exploitation in all its forms (is becoming rife)
Explanation: "Instrumentalisation" is NOT the ONLY possible translation of the same word in French, and indeed it is used far less in this sense in EN than in FR. "Exploitation" is another valid dictionary translation, which I feel seems more apt in this context of settling refugees than 'using something as a pretext for an unfounded argument'. The context here suggests something much more immediate than this (which is not to deny that there might be repercussions in the future!) I've included "progressent" in the Header term, as I feel this also needs to be looked at, and that the idea of progression should perhaps not be ignored - although this is of minor importance; there are various possibilities for this, including the relatively bland "on the increase"... And of course there are several valid possibilities for translating "de tous ordres". My main concern is that nasty word "Instrumentalisation"!
Carol Gullidge United Kingdom Local time: 06:56 Meets criteria Specializes in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 124
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