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Glossary entry

French term or phrase:

temps de la ville

English translation:

private time

Added to glossary by sueaberwoman
May 21, 2010 15:54
13 yrs ago
1 viewer *
French term

temps de la ville

Non-PRO French to English Art/Literary Poetry & Literature scholarly article
I have a feeling this really is an idiom, albeit an uncommon one.

From an article about the trapeze-artist protagonist of a Kafka story: "Qu’est-ce qu’être trapéziste en dehors du temps gymnique ? Que reste-t-il du corps gymnique dans le temps de la ville, dans le temps du repos ?"

So far I have "What remains of the gymnastic body in civilian time, in leisure time?" but I feel like "temps de la ville" is idiomatic and means something different than "civilian time" (or even the literal translation, "city time"). Any help?

Also, can "temps de repos" be translated as "leisure time" (as I have rendered it) and not "rest time"?

Thank you!
Proposed translations (English)
3 private time
4 city life / when living in the city
3 time for city life
3 What is there left for the gymnast's body in terms of entertainment (outings) and relaxation?
References
Some ideas
Change log

May 23, 2010 19:32: sueaberwoman Created KOG entry

Discussion

Stephanie Ezrol May 21, 2010:
In the context of the Kafka story, First Sorrow, I think that rest time really fits the meaning, as the Trapeze artist insists on always being at this work site -- the high wire. You could possibly use "down time," if it fits your context. Since this trapeze artist lacks a "civilian" existence, and is fact made uneasy by even moving in a vehichle from one high wire site to another - I think civilian time works better than city per se.
ameliacf (asker) May 21, 2010:
You are quite right. Thank you, Chris.
Chris Hall May 21, 2010:
Noticeable difference between the two terms... Rest time - where you take time out from strenuous activities i.e. read a book, watch the TV, have a lie down on your bed, chat to friends in person or online.

Leisure time - where you engage in exercise / fitness activities, which are both healthy and enjoyable. This can be sports activities, but not necessarily.
ameliacf (asker) May 21, 2010:
(I forgot to add that I think you're right, Chris—it's "rest time," not "leisure time." But I am wondering if "temps de repos" ever has that broader meaning of free or leisure time as opposed to strictly rest.
ameliacf (asker) May 21, 2010:
Is there overlap, though? I know "repos" is literally "rest" and "loisir" is literally "leisure" (and "free time," for that matter, would be "temps libre") but in English at least the two terms are within one another's semantic field, even if they are not interchangeable.
Chris Hall May 21, 2010:
Leisure time... leisure time = temps de loisir.
rest time = temps de repos.

There is a marked difference between the two.

Proposed translations

18 hrs
Selected

private time

Another suggestion - it avoids any indication of (or lack of) a particular type of activity.

"Balancing professional and private time
by J Fetzer - 2004
Balancing professional and private time. Published online: 30 November 2004 й Springer-Verlag 2004. The time for one's personal life can be very difficult ..."
www.springerlink.com/index/5E1XAJFV2DKLM4PD.pdf - Similar
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
4 hrs

time for city life

There is nothing "idiomatic" in the expression.
Note from asker:
Maybe not idiomatic, but I feel like it's a formula. I looked it up and it was being used in very specific contexts, about bureaucracy, politics, and quality of life.
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4 hrs

city life / when living in the city

Que reste-t-il du corps gymnique dans le temps de la ville, dans le temps du repos ?
=
1. What remains of the gymastic body in city life and when resting?
2. What remains of the gymastic body when living in the city and resting?
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1 day 9 hrs

What is there left for the gymnast's body in terms of entertainment (outings) and relaxation?

Hello,

I just don't think "city" works well here in English. "Ville" here is probably being used to talking about one's outings (going out for entertainment). They use the word "city" to convey this idea because it's there where one usually goes for entertainment.

I hope this helps.

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Note added at 1 day11 hrs (2010-05-23 03:14:00 GMT)
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dans le temps du repos = rest/relaxation

In other words, after all the time spent in the gym every day, what does the trapeze artist's body have left for entertainment and relaxation? His body is so worn out that can't even go out or any time for relaxation.

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Note added at 1 day11 hrs (2010-05-23 03:15:51 GMT)
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His body is so worn out that he can't even go out or find the time to relax.

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Reference comments

1 hr
Reference:

Some ideas

Rhythms of the city, time of urban life - maybe something along these lines...
Example sentence:

Other points of views scrutiny the time-space relationships in the form of “chronotopic studies” (e.g. Etude Chronotopique de Pigalle) valuable to practitioners such as the Bureau des temps in Paris that focuses on improving of the “rhythm” of the

Timing the city : the big time and small time of urban life

Reference:

http://liftlab.com/think/fabien/category/rd/hci/

http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/3005738

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