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antécédants familiaux négatifs

Glossary entry

French term or phrase:

ceci d’ici deux semaines

English translation:

within the next two weeks

Added to glossary by Chris Hall
Jun 8, 2010 15:21
13 yrs ago
2 viewers *
French term

ceci d’ici deux semaines

Non-PRO French to English Other General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters Letter
This may well be a Non-PRO question, so please feel free to reclassify if necessary.

The context is as follows:

Nous vous serions très reconnaissants, par votre signature, d’obtenir votre acceptation de ces travaux, ***ceci d’ici deux semaines***, afin de pouvoir démarrer les travaux dans les meilleurs délais. Il va de soi qu’une fois les plans signés, nous enverrons deux semaines à l’avance, une notice au quartier pour avertir des débuts des travaux.

My attempt:

We would be very grateful, for your signature, to obtain your acceptance of this work, ***planned to start in two weeks***, so as to be able to start the work as soon as possible.

I am not convinced though by my attempt.
Proposed translations (English)
5 +10 within the next two weeks
2 +6 within 2 weeks
3 within two week's of today's date
Change log

Jun 8, 2010 15:23: Stéphanie Soudais changed "Field (specific)" from "Other" to "General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters"

Jun 8, 2010 15:45: Rob Grayson changed "Level" from "PRO" to "Non-PRO"

Votes to reclassify question as PRO/non-PRO:

Non-PRO (3): writeaway, Claire Nolan, Rob Grayson

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Discussion

MatthewLaSon Jun 9, 2010:
Yes Of course it means "now until two week from now". But I don't think it's needed as the date on the letter would imply that it's two weeks from then.

Both are fine.
Jean-Louis S. Jun 8, 2010:
@BD I agree with you. "D'ici..." is equivalent to '2 weeks from now'. But it might not matter much as the tone of the letter indicates that it is probably not binding [Nous vous serions très reconnaissants d’obtenir votre acceptation...]. They probably just want the contract signed as soon as possible to 'hook' the client.
MatthewLaSon Jun 8, 2010:
The word "next" I don't think it's needed. It'd be implied that it's two week from the date on the letter.
B D Finch Jun 8, 2010:
@ Paula and writeaway Within two weeks of the date of the letter, or its receipt? "Within the next two weeks" is clear that it is two weeks from the date of the letter. That is how I read the French too.
writeaway Jun 8, 2010:
nice one Paula spot on imo
MatthewLaSon Jun 8, 2010:
@ Chris I know...I was just saying if one were mentioned...
Desdemone (X) Jun 8, 2010:
Or simply, please sign to indicate your acceptance and return within two weeks so that work can begin as soon as possible.
Chris Hall (asker) Jun 8, 2010:
Matthew... No date is mentioned, so it would be best to use "within the next two weeks".
MatthewLaSon Jun 8, 2010:
Comment If an actual date were given, you'd use "by", not "within".
Jean-Louis S. Jun 8, 2010:
Also, 'by' or 'with' your signature not 'for'.

Proposed translations

+10
5 mins
Selected

within the next two weeks

I think it means that they want to receive his reply within 2 weeks, not that the work will start in 2 weeks.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 mins (2010-06-08 15:27:47 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I personally would split the sentence to make it a bit more digestible:
We would be grateful if you would sign [this document] and return it to us within the next two weeks in confirmation of your approval of this project. That way, we can start work as soon as possible.
Example sentence:

We would be grateful if you would sign [this document] and return it to us within the next two weeks

Note from asker:
"within the next two weeks" - yes, this captures the essence perfectly. Many thanks Wendy. Your interpretation is spot on.
I also agree that the sentence should indeed be split up. Another very good suggestion.
Peer comment(s):
agree liz cencetti (X) : I think this is what they mean, yes. They need the signed doc in the next two weeks.
3 mins
agree MatthewLaSon : It can be said without "next", though. Both are acceptable.
7 mins
agree Claire Nolan
12 mins
agree Lucy Hill
1 hr
agree B D Finch : "The next" is needed to translate "d'ici". Otherwise it might be two weeks from some other date, e.g. acceptance of quotation.
2 hrs
agree Tony M
3 hrs
agree Jean-Louis S. : next
8 hrs
agree ACOZ (X)
8 hrs
agree David Goward : with BD Finch's comment
21 hrs
agree Lorna Coing
21 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Many thanks for your great help, Wendy. Kind regards, Chris."
+6
0 min

within 2 weeks

within 2 weeks
Peer comment(s):
agree Mathieu Isidro (X)
3 mins
agree Liliane Hatem
4 mins
agree Evans (X)
4 mins
agree MatthewLaSon
9 mins
agree philgoddard
13 mins
agree Etienne Muylle Wallace
38 mins
Something went wrong...
5 mins

within two week's of today's date

my understanding
Something went wrong...
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