polystyrène

English translation: styrofoam [AE]

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:polystyrène (expansé)
English translation:styrofoam [AE]
Entered by: Tony M

16:41 Oct 30, 2011
French to English translations [PRO]
Tech/Engineering - Materials (Plastics, Ceramics, etc.) / American English
French term or phrase: polystyrène
Hi, just wondering if any American English speakers can tell me whether in a day to day context it is better to translate this as polystyrene or styrofoam? This is for a translation talking about the materials used to make a film set... Thanks!
Sarita Mardon
Local time: 02:22
styrofoam
Explanation:
Although I myself am GB, my nephew who works in showbusiness in the US certainly always uses this term, which seems to have become generic over there in the same way as 'hoover' and 'perspex' in the UK.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 heures (2011-10-30 21:09:10 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

As Chris has said in the discussion area, both the Brits and the French tend to use the term 'polystyrene' imprecisely, ignoring the fact that it exists in several forms, but generally using it to mean 'expanded polystyrene' — and as several of us thought, and Asker has confirmed, that does seem to be the most likely intended meaning in this specific context.
Naturally, my suggested answer is based on that very assumption.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 19 heures (2011-10-31 11:49:46 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

As the Wiki article kindly found by Chris points out, the word 'styrofoam' is widely, if incorrectly, used in everyday paralnce to refer to other similar products.

I think here it's all a question of register and context, though as Nikki says, the best course of action is of course to check with the customer.
Selected response from:

Tony M
France
Local time: 02:22
Grading comment
Really appreciate all the comments from everyone. After discussion with the client, in this context styrofoam worked out best in the end.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +4polystyrene
MartinPorto
3styrofoam
Tony M


Discussion entries: 10





  

Answers


51 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
polystyrene


Explanation:
I think styrofoam is a brand name, but not sure ot that, the americans use styrofoam more than we do in the UK

MartinPorto
Portugal
Local time: 01:22
Native speaker of: English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Yvonne Becker: This is the accurate translation for the term. Styrofoam is a kind of polystyrene, specifically expanded polystyrene
3 hrs

agree  Emiliano Pantoja
11 hrs

agree  Trinh Do
12 hrs

agree  Nigel Wheatley: absolutely. Styrofoam would be an incorrect traslation in my opinion
1 day 20 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
styrofoam


Explanation:
Although I myself am GB, my nephew who works in showbusiness in the US certainly always uses this term, which seems to have become generic over there in the same way as 'hoover' and 'perspex' in the UK.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 heures (2011-10-30 21:09:10 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

As Chris has said in the discussion area, both the Brits and the French tend to use the term 'polystyrene' imprecisely, ignoring the fact that it exists in several forms, but generally using it to mean 'expanded polystyrene' — and as several of us thought, and Asker has confirmed, that does seem to be the most likely intended meaning in this specific context.
Naturally, my suggested answer is based on that very assumption.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 19 heures (2011-10-31 11:49:46 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

As the Wiki article kindly found by Chris points out, the word 'styrofoam' is widely, if incorrectly, used in everyday paralnce to refer to other similar products.

I think here it's all a question of register and context, though as Nikki says, the best course of action is of course to check with the customer.

Tony M
France
Local time: 02:22
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 151
Grading comment
Really appreciate all the comments from everyone. After discussion with the client, in this context styrofoam worked out best in the end.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Michele Fauble
1 hr
  -> Merci, Michele !

disagree  Yvonne Becker: Sorry to disagree, but styrofoam is a specific kind of polystyrene: expanded polystyrene
2 hrs
  -> Thanks, Yvonne — I think I have already made it abundantly clear, along with others, that this would, of course, only apply if Asker is sure it involves expanded polystyrene — which, after all, everyone agrees is highly likely in the context.
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.

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:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search