gueule retroussée

English translation: muzzle drawn back

17:06 May 21, 2014

French to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature

French term or phrase: gueule retroussée

"Dans cette obscurité, ils aperçurent en premier la gueule retroussée de l’ourse et ses dents tranchantes à l’air."

This is a children's story in which a black Pyrenees bear emerges from the woods at nightfall. First it is just a black mass, and then, as it approaches, you can see its snout and teeth. I don't get how "retroussée" fits in.

Thanks in advance!

Jessica Noyes KudoZ activity Questions: 65 (none open) (6 closed without grading) Answers: 407 United States
Local time: 09:24

English translation:muzzle drawn back

Explanation:
muzzle drawn back in a snarl. The word "muzzle" for is perhaps more appropriate a bear, (and certain other mammals) rather than "lips". Here are a few examples expressing the idea, although it's highly likely that the beasts in question aren't all bears!

Reunion (Closed - Invite only.) - Forums - League of Legends
forums.na.leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?t=3713935
29 Jul 2013 - 9 posts - ‎2 authors
Crimson eyes locked upon the elk, muzzle drawn back into a savage snarl, hackles on end and muscles tensed. The throat... Rip the throat.
Armageddon's Children: The Genesis Of Shannara: Book One
books.google.co.uk/books?isbn=074812554X
Terry Brooks - 2010 - ‎Fiction
Cheney was on his feet at once, thick fur bristling, muzzle drawn back in a snarl. Owl glanced up, tracking the scrabbling as it moved across the ceiling from the …

The Gates of Omin - Page 44 - Google Books Result
books.google.co.uk/books?isbn=1411613694
Luke Hodgson - 2004 - ‎Fiction
Hushed snarls uttered behind them cause Hedge to cringe. Lucas saw what ... Scarred Paw's eyes were slits, his muzzle drawn back into a raging snarl. “We of …

Chapter Seven - Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan ...
www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=197&cid=802
Its sharp claws scrabbled in the cloth of his trousers and then it was pulling itself up onto his chair, snarling muzzle drawn back over white teeth. Frodo could not …

The Midnight Hunt - Page 271 - Google Books Result
books.google.co.uk/books?isbn=1602821402
L. L. Raand - 2010 - ‎Fiction
She took Sylvan into her arms, Sylvan's hot blood painting her breasts and abdomen. Niki crowded close to Sylvan, her muzzle drawn back in a snarl …

Daughter of Smoke and Bone: Daughter of Smoke and Bone ...
books.google.co.uk/books?isbn=1444722646
Laini Taylor - 2011 - ‎Fiction
Its fangs curved over his brow, its muzzle drawn back in a snarl. His snow-white hair was brushed and arranged over his shoulders, his vest ivory satin — so …

The Darkest Edge of Dawn - Page 12 - Google Books Result
books.google.co.uk/books?isbn=143915547X
Kelly Gay - 2010 - ‎Fiction
Bald, gray head hung low between muscled shoulders, muzzle drawn back in a snarl. This was its territory. Now the carnage made sense. It 12 KeLLY GAY.
Kelly Gay | The Darkest Edge of Dawn Excerpt
www.kellygay.com/143
Bald, gray head hung low between muscled shoulders, muzzle drawn back in a snarl. This was its territory. Now the carnage made sense. It had been feeding …

Orchestrated Death - Google Books Result
books.google.co.uk/books?isbn=0748133186
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles - 2011 - ‎Fiction
... and glared, its muzzle drawn back to show its yellow teeth in a continuous rattling snarl. Mrs Ringwood followed them in. 'Boys, boys,' she admonished them , …

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Note added at 5 hrs (2014-05-21 22:20:02 GMT)
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Also meant to include as an alternative "muzzle RETRACTED"

https://musetracks.wordpress.com/category/authors/saranna-de...
27 Dec 2013 - His muzzle retracted in a snarl, revealing supernaturally straight white teeth that looked more at home on a barracuda than a wolf.

Selected response from:

Carol Gullidge
United Kingdom
Local time: 14:24

Grading comment

Hi, Carol. I did read your last note, but I believe that your translation most accurately conveys the meanings of the original term I posted. Technically, the teeth come later. I ended up using "the bear's muzzle pulled back to reveal her sharp white teeth."
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

3 +4

bared teeth

Claire Nolan

3 +4

snarling mouth/jaw

Nikki Scott-Despaigne

wide-open jaws

John Holland

3 +1

muzzle drawn back

Carol Gullidge

short snout

liz askew

Discussion entries: 4

Answers

9 mins confidence:

short snout

Explanation:
..

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Note added at 12 mins (2014-05-21 17:18:59 GMT)
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possibly...

snub - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com
www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/snub
Your former friend probably noticed the snub, and she'll probably snub you from now on. Snub also means "very short," like the nose on a bulldog.

liz askew
United Kingdom
Local time: 14:24
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 16

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thank you very much for your help on this one.

Asker: I appreciate your help with this one!

46 mins confidence:

wide-open jaws

Explanation:
The first thing they see are the wide-open jaws and sharp, gleaming teeth of the bear. It is scary.

For example:
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VrQNQDYpOfY/T4huPeT4qdI/AAAAAAAAE...

Also, from http://www.sylvanrocks.com/devils_tower_climbing/legends_his... :
"The boys started running, looking for a place to hide, they found none. The grizzly was much, much faster than they. They stumbled, and the bear was almost upon them. They could see his red, wide-open jaws full of enormous teeth."

John Holland
France
Local time: 15:24
Works in field
Native speaker of: English

Notes to answerer

Asker: Great reference -- thanks!

1 hr confidence:

peer agreement (net): +4

bared teeth

Explanation:
the bear's bared teeth

"Note the bared teeth of the bear, sweeping, large eyebrows..."

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Vintage-7-25-Cedar-Northwest-Coast-Tl...

The charm in this piece lies in the bared teeth of the dog and the bear,

http://folkartcooperstown.blogspot.ca/2011_07_01_archive.htm...

Claire Nolan
Local time: 09:24
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 23

Notes to answerer

Asker: Another helpful reference..

5 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

muzzle drawn back

Carol Gullidge
United Kingdom
Local time: 14:24
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 80

Grading comment

Notes to answerer

Asker: Wow! Thanks!

1 hr confidence:

peer agreement (net): +4

snarling mouth/jaw

Explanation:
I think the term "snarl" goes some way to conveying the image.
Meaning of "retroussé". When you think of a snarling bear's mouth, think of what a sleeve looks like pushed up. When bear gets aggressive, yes, the jaw is wide open, but as with a snarling dog, the lips are curled back. I'm sure that is the image being conveyed : http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/survival-guide/sur...

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Note added at 1 hr (2014-05-21 18:16:53 GMT)
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My own criticism of "snarl" is that it is generally used to suggest a sound, but I reckon the visual aspect is sufficient to work effectively for "retroussé". Lastly, it'll be sufficiently evocative and impressive for a child reader, scary enough, but not over the top either.

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Note added at 1 hr (2014-05-21 18:17:54 GMT)
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Here's a good "snarl" for you : http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/may/01/how-did-...

PS. I know it's not a bear.

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Note added at 1 hr (2014-05-21 18:19:47 GMT)
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http://www.superstock.com/stock-photos-images/1829-7240

http://www.worldofstock.com/stock-photos/captive-grizzly-bea...

http://photos8.org/animals_g29-snarling_bear_p10297.html

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Note added at 15 hrs (2014-05-22 08:38:55 GMT)
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Carole's "muzzle" is nice for a bear's mouth and the idea of "bared teeth" also conveys the right image to my mind. I guess a lot will depend on what is happening in the text just beofer and just after this part of the scene and where tha accent is to be put.

Nikki Scott-Despaigne
Local time: 15:24
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 16

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thanks, Nikki for these!

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gueule retroussée

English translation: muzzle drawn back

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