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

politiquement neutre

English translation: nonpartisan

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:politiquement neutre
English translation:nonpartisan
Entered by: Jocelyne S

06:39 Jun 16, 2011
French to English translations [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary - Government / Politics
French term or phrase: politiquement neutre
Hello, I'm translating a movie script from french to american english
The description of the main character in the french film pitch goes as follows:
"Nasri, Libanais, politiquement neutre, se retrouve tourmenté entre deux partis opposants"
My translation:
"Nasri, Lebanese, politically neutral, finds himself caught between two rival factions."
Im not happy with "politically neutral" sounds a bit heavy, i also thought of "non-poitical"
What the director means is that in Lebanon, almost everyone has a political opinion or engagement, this man however, doesn't.
Thanks for any suggestion
gulliver-
Local time: 05:23
nonpartisan
Explanation:
Nonpartisan might be one way around the issue.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 45 mins (2011-06-16 07:24:17 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

@Asker: By definition, the term means "unaffiliated with a political party", so I think you can leave it as a stand-alone term.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2011-06-16 08:31:28 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I would probably say "a nonpartisan Lebanese man".

Also, is there a reason why you have used "factions" instead of "(political) parties" as the translation for "partis"?

If you prefer to choose between the two options you have given, I would go with the latter but I would say "rival political" rather than "political rival".

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2011-06-16 08:51:49 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

If they are indeed militias, then "factions" is likely fine. I would use "political factions", however, as otherwise it could be ambiguous.

Both "Lebanese" and "Lebanese man" are acceptable; go with whichever you prefer.
Selected response from:

Jocelyne S
France
Local time: 04:23
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +5nonpartisan
Jocelyne S
5 +1Nasri, a politically neutral Lebanese
piazza d


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Nasri, a politically neutral Lebanese


Explanation:
Normally, you have to reorganise a little...

piazza d
France
Local time: 04:23
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: French
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  cc in nyc: right term, but I would reorganize differently: "Nasri, Lebanese and politically neutral, ..." ;-)
6 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +5
nonpartisan


Explanation:
Nonpartisan might be one way around the issue.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 45 mins (2011-06-16 07:24:17 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

@Asker: By definition, the term means "unaffiliated with a political party", so I think you can leave it as a stand-alone term.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2011-06-16 08:31:28 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I would probably say "a nonpartisan Lebanese man".

Also, is there a reason why you have used "factions" instead of "(political) parties" as the translation for "partis"?

If you prefer to choose between the two options you have given, I would go with the latter but I would say "rival political" rather than "political rival".

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2011-06-16 08:51:49 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

If they are indeed militias, then "factions" is likely fine. I would use "political factions", however, as otherwise it could be ambiguous.

Both "Lebanese" and "Lebanese man" are acceptable; go with whichever you prefer.

Jocelyne S
France
Local time: 04:23
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 43
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks for your suggestion. Do you think I should specify that the character is politically nonpartisan or is the term poltically specific?

Asker: Using this term may change the sentence structure, it gets a bit confusing, would definitely appreciate it if you let me know which of the two sentences looks best to you: 1-Nasri, Lebanese, nonpartisan, finds himself caught between two rival factions. 2-Nasri, Lebanese, nonpartisan, finds himself caught between two political rival factions. Thanks a lot for your time

Asker: The reason I chose "factions" is that the two parties are also militias fighting a civil war, so it sounded more appropriate, would you agree? Also "Nasri, a nonpartisan lebanese" sounds smoother than "Nasri, a nonpartisan lebanese man" or do you think it's better to mention that he's a man?

Asker: I have my sentence, thanks for your help.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Leslie Marcus: I think your suggestion is quite good.
8 mins
  -> Thanks Leslie.
agree  Philippa Smith
1 hr
  -> Thanks Philippa.
agree  Sandra Petch: Very good
1 hr
  -> Thanks Sandra.
agree  Evans (X)
1 hr
  -> Thanks Gilla.
agree  Roberta Beyer
3 hrs
  -> Thanks Roberta.
neutral  cc in nyc: Suggest "Lebanese and nonpartisan"– unless it matters that he's male! But I like "nonpartisan" a lot more for organizations ;-)
7 hrs
  -> Yes, that works too. Thanks for your thoughts.
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