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French to English translations [PRO] Tech/Engineering - Mathematics & Statistics / calculateur de contrôle
French term or phrase:technologies de preuve
Hello, "C’est ainsi que, alors que le besoin est de plus en plus important et que les équipes de recherche travaillent sur ce sujet depuis au moins 30 ans, ces technologies de preuve sont restées dans les laboratoires ou sont utilisées dans des secteurs extrêmement exigeants sur la sécurité de fonctionnement "
Explanation: Perhaps more likely to be expressed in the singular in English here.
New technologies may be introduced without bringing about the application of new techniques. I believe it is important to avoid using the term "technique" here; after all, the original does not refer to "techniques" but to "technologies".
A Google search with "proof technology" (giving more results that "technology of proof") plus "statistics" etc gives a fair number of hits among which with more context may be of use.
I'm in a bit of a rush, but with more context, the Asker may be able to confirm that the choice of the word "technologies" in the original is not being used as a synonym for "techniques". The last uni I attended was the Faculté de Sciences et Techniques. It meant what it said, the accent being on the application of techniques in science, most which arise out of technology.
For the very same reason that the original has made the choice to use the word "technolgies", the English should bear that in mind too.
The Ghits which are out there in relation to statistics calculators and "technology" are fewer in number (in FR and in EN) but, assuming a strict use of the term in the original, that needs to be respected in the English. If the terms have been used as interchangeable, then it has no importance. A question to the client may be the only way of being certain.
The problem here then seems to be trying to figure out whether the original means what it says. If it does, then there is a strong case for "proof technologies". If the original does not mean what it actually says, then "techniques" should be used.
I may not be quite awake yet, but I am still not certain whether this (essential) point has been cleared up.
the term to translate is then what I first understood - what is called validation/verification i.e. a practical solution (a technology) used to make sure that no errors will be occurring. The additional info you've given in the discussion is from some other part of this document, dealing with theoretical / mathematical models on which this verification techniques will be based, and that part does involve obtaining "mathematical proofs" by software, but that's not "technologies de preuve", that's the preceding step..
I seems that what we are NOT dealing with here is any sort of mathamatical proof (démonstration), but rather an exhaustive series of "proofing" tests to "prove" the validity and reliability of the software (as didn't occur on Ariane 5's first launch).
with a method for securing a program, this program needing to be modified in order to guarantee that when it operates, it meets the specifications or operating constraints, for example in automatic control equipment on a rocket, the programme needs to do exactly what has been provided for it, there is no room for errors
what you just added doesn't fit with what you have given as context with your question. Is that in the same part of the ST?
"technologies de preuve ... utilisées dans des secteurs extrêmement exigeants sur la sécurité de fonctionnement" has a very indirect connection with "proofs" as in "mathematical proofs".
"mathematical proofs" obtained by either a pencil and a piece of paper or some smart software are used to prove general concepts and are not "technologies", and as all maths have only an indirect connection with any practical application.
You are never going to achieve "la sécurité de fonctionnement" by proving again every day a mathematical hypothesis, although a proven mathematical model can be a theoretical basis for a reliable technological solution. But the "mathematical proof" is not a technology.
if you want a reliable translation, you have to more specific about these "technologies de preuve"
Given that these particular "proofs" are de facto dependent on machines, I suggest "techniques for machine proofs". Although "machine proof techniques" is more compact, it is also dangerously ambiguous! Perhaps just "machine proofs" is sufficient. I think it important to emphasise the role of the machine, rather than simply "technique".
sorry, yes computational proofs, this might help "Les techniques actuellement utilisées se basent principalement sur des règles mathématiques provenant de la logique du premier ordre, ou des logiques d’ordre supérieur comme Coq. Elles se traduisent par des langages de programmation particuliers accompagnés d’outils logiciels qui vont essayer de prouver, au sens mathématique du terme. Ces logiciels sont appelés dans la littérature des « prouveurs »."
definitely dealing with mathematical proof here? What technologies are involved? Is the subject cryptography, or what? Generally speaking "démonstration" is used for pencil and paper mathematical proofs (eg Fermat), but computational "proofs" are becoming more common (though mathematicians tend to be wary of them). Can we have more information, please? A heading, even?
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
1 hr confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
technologie de preuve
proof technique
Explanation: Maybe?
"Mathematical techniques have, in the last twenty years, been rapidly developing to improve the understanding of programs. Amongst these mathematical methods, proof techniques are considered very important, though difficult to apply in a practical manner." http://www.ercim.eu/publication/Ercim_News/enw23/mery.html
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 2 hrs (2012-12-18 05:14:43 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
@ Louisa: Glad you liked the list, but I didn't include it as a serious reference. :-))
cc in nyc Local time: 09:28 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 16
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks for the list :))
15 hrs confidence:
verification techniques
Explanation: the clue is in: "C’est ainsi que, alors que le besoin est de plus en plus important et que les équipes de recherche travaillent sur ce sujet depuis au moins 30 ans, ces technologies de preuve sont restées dans les laboratoires ou sont utilisées dans des secteurs extrêmement exigeants sur la sécurité de fonctionnement"
The "proofs" in question are not proofs of some abstract mathematical constructs, but "proofs" that the IT equipment (hardware and software) is properly functioning - exactly as intended.
When it come to assuring a reliable functioning of an IT system (=> context:" calculateur de contrôle") the problem is linked to validation/verification techniques. Most IT equipment is built on the assumption that hardware errors never occur, or that the probability of a wrongly executed command is so low that it can be safely ignored. Good enough for an average home PC, but not for "critical" applications, where all sort of verification techniques can be used to be sure that no error is ever going to slip through the net.
Explanation: Perhaps more likely to be expressed in the singular in English here.
New technologies may be introduced without bringing about the application of new techniques. I believe it is important to avoid using the term "technique" here; after all, the original does not refer to "techniques" but to "technologies".
A Google search with "proof technology" (giving more results that "technology of proof") plus "statistics" etc gives a fair number of hits among which with more context may be of use.
I'm in a bit of a rush, but with more context, the Asker may be able to confirm that the choice of the word "technologies" in the original is not being used as a synonym for "techniques". The last uni I attended was the Faculté de Sciences et Techniques. It meant what it said, the accent being on the application of techniques in science, most which arise out of technology.
For the very same reason that the original has made the choice to use the word "technolgies", the English should bear that in mind too.
The Ghits which are out there in relation to statistics calculators and "technology" are fewer in number (in FR and in EN) but, assuming a strict use of the term in the original, that needs to be respected in the English. If the terms have been used as interchangeable, then it has no importance. A question to the client may be the only way of being certain.
Nikki Scott-Despaigne Local time: 15:28 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Thank you all for your help and advice, yes I'll stick with "technologies"
Notes to answerer
Asker: I agree with you in that "technologies" must remain just that, I didn't find anything of relevance on google. it's the only instance in which "technologies" occurs in this patent, I better not replace it by any other word, I just thought there may be a known term as "proof technologies" sounded a bit odd (to me) Thank you for your help :)
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peer agreement (net): +1
