Glossary entry (derived from question below)
French term or phrase:
joue par sa transparence des gammes cristallines
English translation:
its translucence plays crystalline cadences
Added to glossary by
Carol Gullidge
Nov 23, 2010 20:01
13 yrs ago
French term
United Kingdom
poetically precise prose with... panache
Native in: English 
Works in: French to English, Spanish to English, English
joue par sa transparence des gammes cristallines
French to English
Marketing
Cosmetics, Beauty
perfume
« Fidèle reflet de la créativité XXXX, intimement cohérent avec ses valeurs et ses exigences, YYYY est une cascade d’émotionsYYYY interpelle l’âme au service des sens et de l’esprit, ******joue par sa transparence des gammes cristallines****** et provoque des émotions nouvelles.
...where XXXX and YYYY are the names of the brand and the fragrance respectively
I'm stuck mainly on "jouer" or "jouer de" in this context, and would be most grateful for any help - many thanks!
...where XXXX and YYYY are the names of the brand and the fragrance respectively
I'm stuck mainly on "jouer" or "jouer de" in this context, and would be most grateful for any help - many thanks!
Proposed translations
(English)
References
| Music? |
Anna Quail
|
Change log
Nov 23, 2010 20:55: writeaway changed "Field" from "Other" to "Marketing"
Proposed translations
17 hrs
Sandra Mouton
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in French
Specializes in field
United Kingdom
Efficiency and finesse
Native in: French
Works in: English to French, Russian to French, Latin to French, and 3 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Selected
its translucence plays crystal notes
A humble try
Note from asker:
| many thanks Sandra, and all of you! In the end, I used "its transparency playing crystalline cadences", and this was accepted by the client without demur |
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "many thanks Sandra, and all of you! In the end, I used "its transparency playing crystalline cadences", and this was accepted by the client without demur
"
-1
48 mins
philgoddard
United States
United States
Native in English
Works in field
United States
Six languages into flawless English
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, French to English, Spanish to English, and 4 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
28
its crystalline transparency...
...evoking sensations that you never knew existed.
Or something like that. This kind of stuff is almost untranslatable, so you have to write something that makes sense in English and contains at least a few of the key French words (transparence, cristallines, emotions)
Or something like that. This kind of stuff is almost untranslatable, so you have to write something that makes sense in English and contains at least a few of the key French words (transparence, cristallines, emotions)
Note from asker:
| many thanks for the help, Phil! I know what you mean about the difficulties in translation. My problem here is trying to figure out - even roughly - what they mean in the first place ;) |
Peer comment(s):
| disagree |
Lionel_M (X)
: ce sont les gammes qui sont cristallines, pas la transparence//But can't change the fundamentals :)
1 hr
|
|
I know, but I think you're missing the point - you have to take liberties with copy like this.
|
13 hrs
it glimmers with prismatic flashes of light
Just thought I'd chuck another one into the mix. It may be over the top, but that is the name of the game with this kind of text.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Note from asker:
| many thanks Gilla - it certainly is! |
+1
16 mins
Rachel Fell
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
Works in field
United Kingdom
Thorough, knowledgeable and resourceful
Native in: English (Variant: UK)
Works in: French to English, Spanish to English, Italian to English, and 4 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
35
invisibly orchestrates a rainbow of crystals
invisibly orchestrates a rainbow of crystals
sets off a transparent rainbow of crystals
not really sure;-)
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Note added at 18 hrs (2010-11-24 14:02:50 GMT)
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sparkling/glittering cadences
sparkling crystal cadences
sets off a transparent rainbow of crystals
not really sure;-)
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Note added at 18 hrs (2010-11-24 14:02:50 GMT)
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sparkling/glittering cadences
sparkling crystal cadences
Note from asker:
| thanks for the help Rachel - this may be closer than you think, and it all helps! |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Lionel_M (X)
: Beautifull !
2 hrs
|
|
Thank you Lionel ;-)
|
2 hrs
XXX opts for crystal clear / transparent (fragrances)
I gree with Phil that the French is OTT and the English should remain a little more prim if it is to remain plausible. I've maybe pared it down a bit too much
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Note added at 15 hrs (2010-11-24 11:07:09 GMT)
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Maybe you could 'crystalise' the idea into "uses transparency to compelling effect, (the fragrances) arousing....'
A bit of interpretation is necessary here !
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Note added at 18 hrs (2010-11-24 14:05:32 GMT)
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I've been toying with 'notes' too, Sandra - imagining clinking chandelier chiming sounds in fragrance form !! but it's tricky
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 15 hrs (2010-11-24 11:07:09 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Maybe you could 'crystalise' the idea into "uses transparency to compelling effect, (the fragrances) arousing....'
A bit of interpretation is necessary here !
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 18 hrs (2010-11-24 14:05:32 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
I've been toying with 'notes' too, Sandra - imagining clinking chandelier chiming sounds in fragrance form !! but it's tricky
Note from asker:
| thanks for the help ormiston! Must admit, I'm finding it hard to render into readable and acceptable English! |
1 day 7 hrs
plays on the transparency of crystal (creates an effect with)
Hello,
I think that it "jouer" here "play on" to create an effect with", quite simply,
This word can be really hard to translate in some contexts, so I do sympathize.
joue par = "plays on" in the sense of "creates an effect (faire des effets as in "faire des effets de lumière, etc)
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This masculine fragrance plays on contrasting fres… moreh and woody notes, leaving a magnetic, sensual trail. Created with an alcohol-free formula, ...
www.cybermonday.com/pd____.htm?cat=505&fields=fct...
The concept of this fragrance plays on the dual nature of man human and animal.The scent fe... £38.99. More Information » ...
www.compareperfumeprices.co.uk/.../Guerlain-Pour-Homme-Eau-... -
I hope this helps.
I hope this helps.
I think that it "jouer" here "play on" to create an effect with", quite simply,
This word can be really hard to translate in some contexts, so I do sympathize.
joue par = "plays on" in the sense of "creates an effect (faire des effets as in "faire des effets de lumière, etc)
Product Details - Shop Online at CyberMonday for Deals & Coupons
This masculine fragrance plays on contrasting fres… moreh and woody notes, leaving a magnetic, sensual trail. Created with an alcohol-free formula, ...
www.cybermonday.com/pd____.htm?cat=505&fields=fct...
The concept of this fragrance plays on the dual nature of man human and animal.The scent fe... £38.99. More Information » ...
www.compareperfumeprices.co.uk/.../Guerlain-Pour-Homme-Eau-... -
I hope this helps.
I hope this helps.
Note from asker:
| Thanks for the help Matthew - especially the explanation! |
Reference comments
13 hrs
Anna Quail
France
France
Native in English
France
Once a translator...
Native in: English (Variants: British, Irish, UK)
Works in: French to English, English
Reference:
Music?
Am I the only one who immediately thinks of music when I read that sentence? Strange!
To me, ‘jouer des gammes’ evokes music (or at least practising the piano – not necessarily very musical!). If you turn the phrase round, it would read ‘joue des gammes cristallines par sa transparence’ or ‘par sa transparence, joue des gammes cristallines’. In this case, the word ‘cristallines’ would be referring to the sound (un son cristallin). The image I have is of a skilled pianist’s nimble fingers playing about with the high notes on a piano. I can hear it in my head, but that’s not much use to you! :-)
Maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree here, as there’s obviously a play on words with transparence/cristallines, but I thought it was worth mentioning.
To me, ‘jouer des gammes’ evokes music (or at least practising the piano – not necessarily very musical!). If you turn the phrase round, it would read ‘joue des gammes cristallines par sa transparence’ or ‘par sa transparence, joue des gammes cristallines’. In this case, the word ‘cristallines’ would be referring to the sound (un son cristallin). The image I have is of a skilled pianist’s nimble fingers playing about with the high notes on a piano. I can hear it in my head, but that’s not much use to you! :-)
Maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree here, as there’s obviously a play on words with transparence/cristallines, but I thought it was worth mentioning.
Note from asker:
| excellent - thanks Flo! I think you are indeed the first to have spotted this. ...Tinkling as opposed to tinkering on the piano :O) |
| PS, I think Rachel was heading in that direction with "orchestrate", but still the penny didn't drop chez moi! |
Discussion
I enjoy the entries in the KudoZ discussion panels, generally. They're fun and, as you said, often as useful as the actual answers.
Good luck with the envolées lyriques commerciales you are working on ;-)
I hadn't seen Flo's comment.
@ormiston
I humbly suggested an answer but I am no English native speaker, so...
That's marketing talk for you.
Thank goodness I have something lined up that I can really get my teeth into, and regain some equanimity!