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English translation: rewrite

08:49 Mar 25, 2015
French to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Marketing / Market Research / publication on the role of perfume through the ages
French term or phrase: hygiène sèche
or, as said here, toilette sèche (and no, it is NOT an environmentally friendly WC!)

Les parfums sont utilisés pour se laver durant la toilette sèche (linge parfumé frotté sur tout le corps pour se débarrasser de la saleté et des mauvaises odeurs).
ormiston
Local time: 07:19
English translation:rewrite
Explanation:
You could translate "hygiène sèche" (or "toilette sèche") as something like "dry bathing" or "dry cleansing," but it doesn't sound very natural in English IMO. If I went that route, I'd be inclined to leave the phrase in quotes.

I think it would sound more natural to rewrite the sentence along the lines of: Perfumes are used for cleaning oneself [washing oneself/getting clean/etc.] without water.
Selected response from:

Sheri P
United States
Local time: 01:19
Grading comment
given that the text explained how in the past people avoided water and instead doused themselves in perfume I kept the title more general and said 'personal hygiene' (although the practice was hardly hygienic!)
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3dry wipes
Colin Morley (X)
3rewrite
Sheri P


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
dry wipes


Explanation:
Along the same lines as "dry shampoo" to cleanse in situations where no water is available
http://www.completecareshop.co.uk/personal-care/dry-wipes/

Colin Morley (X)
France
Local time: 07:19
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 10
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
rewrite


Explanation:
You could translate "hygiène sèche" (or "toilette sèche") as something like "dry bathing" or "dry cleansing," but it doesn't sound very natural in English IMO. If I went that route, I'd be inclined to leave the phrase in quotes.

I think it would sound more natural to rewrite the sentence along the lines of: Perfumes are used for cleaning oneself [washing oneself/getting clean/etc.] without water.

Sheri P
United States
Local time: 01:19
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 15
Grading comment
given that the text explained how in the past people avoided water and instead doused themselves in perfume I kept the title more general and said 'personal hygiene' (although the practice was hardly hygienic!)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



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