Glossary entry

French term or phrase:

coqs de plâtre

English translation:

stone sentinels /mascots

Added to glossary by PB Trans
Jun 29, 2005 14:54
18 yrs ago
French term

coqs de plâtre

French to English Art/Literary Tourism & Travel
I need help coming up with something that reflects the same meaning and doesn't sound cheesy! Ideas are more than welcome...

Beautés et mystères au fil des îles de Mingan

Vous aimez imaginer des figures connues dans les nuages cotonneux ou repérer des constellations imaginaires dans un ciel étoilé? Vous aimerez l’Archipel-de-Mingan, cette délicate dentelle d’îles et d’îlots peuplés de géants de pierre, ces fameux monolithes dont chaque spécimen est un défi à l’imagination.

Si la plupart de ces figures se prêtent sans broncher aux photographes amateurs, d’autres semblent prendre une pose étudiée pendant des millénaires juste pour le plaisir de plaire aux paparazzis des beautés de la nature. Certains de ces insulaires de pierre sont bien connus des gens du coin tandis que d’autres « vivent » dans l’anonymat, guettant les salutations d’un kayakiste égaré ou appréciant la marque d’affection d’un campeur en excursion sur les rives pittoresques de « son » île d’adoption.

Toutefois, ces orgueilleux « coqs de plâtre » n’ont pas la beauté aussi chatoyante que certaines espèces d’oiseaux rares qui font tourner les têtes et suscitent leur juste part de regards admiratifs! Jusqu’au moment où le passage furtif d’une baleine monopolise l’attention des visiteurs. Reste que les phoques remportent la palme lorsqu’il s’agit d’attirer votre attention…

Discussion

Non-ProZ.com Jun 29, 2005:
Here is some info and a photo of the monoliths: http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/qc/mingan/natcul/natcul1-3_E.asp#0...
Non-ProZ.com Jun 29, 2005:
Sandra Yes, they are made of stone.
Sandra C. Jun 29, 2005:
but, they're not actually made of plaster, right? they're made of stone?
Non-ProZ.com Jun 29, 2005:
I'd like to avoid the word "cock", if you know what I mean Uh oh, do I have to change the question to "may find it offensive"? Ha ha ha!!

Proposed translations

+1
6 hrs
French term (edited): coqs de pl�tre
Selected

stone sentinels

Looking this over and checking the site, my understanding is they are talking about the monoliths - not really to do with birds, although Pertified peacocks is a great expression! Coq can also mean a weathervane - so since it is in quotes you do have some freedom.
This is how I see it....



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 hrs 26 mins (2005-06-29 21:21:31 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

petrified!
Peer comment(s):

agree Tamara Salvio : nice expression - evokes the image well and I agree translation does not have to be too literal here
10 hrs
Thanks Tamara!
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Good suggestions. I wish I could split points."
7 mins
French term (edited): coqs de pl�tre

strutting mascots

opens a line of possibilities...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 10 mins (2005-06-29 15:05:24 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

plaster peacocks
Something went wrong...
21 mins
French term (edited): coqs de pl�tre

fake roosters

The text in French seems strange...We might talk about "coqs en pâte", but I really do not see anything about "plaster" in that case!
Peer comment(s):

neutral emiledgar : "coq de platre" is an expression - you don't need roosters or plaster
3 hrs
Sorry, never heard of it!
Something went wrong...
+1
2 hrs
French term (edited): coqs de pl�tre

petrified peacocks

"proud, petrified peacocks"
The use of "coqs" reinforces the "orgeuilleux" nature of the monoliths, and "a platre" is used to contrast them (somewhat unfavorably in this instance) to the living birds competing for tourists attention. Monxmood has it right (first, may I add) that 'peacock' is the way to go in translating 'coq' since it is the bird that evokes proud imagery for anglophones. Petrified evokes their frozen, stone nature in contrast to that of the living birds...
Peer comment(s):

agree French Foodie
2 hrs
Merci Mara!
Something went wrong...
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search