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  3. Philosophy

pluri-équipement

07:58 Mar 19, 2009
This question was closed without grading. Reason: No acceptable answer

French to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Philosophy / Consumer society
French term or phrase: pluri-équipement
Context: A philosophical piece by Gilles Lipovetsky on “hyper-consumer society”.

This term is explained once (see below), then used twice more later in the text (once as “pluri-équipement” and once as “multi-équipement”) :

« Dès la fin des années 70, la « technologisation » des foyers s’est généralisée dans à peu près tous les groupes sociaux. C’est à partir de ce moment qu’a commencé à se développer le **pluri-équipement** des ménages un nombre croissant de ménage possédant plusieurs biens durables d’un même type (deux voitures, plusieurs télévisions, téléphones, etc…). Cette dimension est importante car jusqu’alors dominait une logique de consommation de type « semi-collective » c’est à dire fondée sur l’équipement du foyer. Cela change avec la société d’hyperconsommation pour autant que la consommation se trouve de plus en plus centrée sur l’équipement des individus qui composent un même ménage. »

My working translation is “multiple-equipping” (using quotation marks in the text, see below), followed later by “the multi-equipping phenomenon” but I don’t like it much.

“From the end of the 70s, the “technologization” of homes began to spread to almost all social groups. This is the moment at which the “multiple-equipping” of homes began to arise, with a growing number of families in possession of several durable goods of the same type (two cars, several televisions, telephones, etc.). This dimension is important as, up to this point, a “semi-collective” consumer rationale had reigned, i.e. one based on the principle of equipping the home itself. This changed with hyperconsumer society, as consumption became increasingly focused on equipping the individuals within the home.”
Cath St Clair (X)
Spain
Local time: 16:53


Summary of answers provided
4 +1multi-equipping
B D Finch
3multi-furnishing
Susan Nicholls
2hyperconsumerism
Mark Nathan


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
multi-furnishing


Explanation:
This is just a different stab at it which might get the ball rolling in a different direction. When we "équipper un ménage" we don't "equip", but rather set up house, provide ourselves with, furnish, etc. In the same way, I don't think we speak of cars, vacuum cleaners and televisions as equipment, at least not without "household" in the same breath. "Pluri" would most likely become "multi" in English, although "super" is tempting, but "super-furnishing" would be a value judgment I guess. Interesting text, I'd like to read it!

Susan Nicholls
Local time: 01:53
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
hyperconsumerism


Explanation:
is definitely used - but perhaps has a more negative connotation than you want?

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Note added at 3 hrs (2009-03-19 11:33:29 GMT)
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Or you could dilute this to "a hyperconsumerist approach"

Mark Nathan
France
Local time: 17:53
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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32 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
multi-equipping


Explanation:
"Through this phenomenon, the Group anticipates "multi-equipping", namely listening on the PC and especially via WiFi, which is a growing trend in the United ..."
www.nrjgroup.fr/activite_en_9.html

"10/30/2007, One-Item Multi-Equipping & Unlimited Cash Glitch. One-Item Multi-Equipping ... Requirement: Must perform the "One-Item Multi-Equipping" glitch ..."
www.gamerankings.com/cheats/939100

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Note added at 5 hrs (2009-03-19 13:55:49 GMT)
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My examples are not so much to claim that this is an accepted word, as to show some other examples of the same neologism. Quite honestly, I think it would be OK even if we had thought it up ourselves.

B D Finch
France
Local time: 17:53
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 10

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  cjohnstone: yes but why not "multiple"? :)
57 mins
  -> Good question. I think multiple might imply consecutive, rather than concurrent. Also, shortening it to "multi" somehow makes it seem more routine. It also retains more of the flavour of the original.
neutral  Jim Tucker (X): This may be a usable solution, but the links you cite are not used in the sense of the asker's text; best to adduce relevant usages.
3 hrs
  -> Correct, but see my note above.
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