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Dutch to English translations [PRO] Tech/Engineering - Materials (Plastics, Ceramics, etc.) / As used in exclusive cars
Dutch term or phrase:Edel hout
In a booklet about pre-war luxury cars, reference is made to the use of this type of wood for such things as dashboards. What is the correct English term?
...and 'noble wood' is out of the picture, then I think the connotation that 'noble' has in these other languages should be maintained in the translation.
So does it signify in these other languages, in this context, the context of woods and pre-war luxury cars...
- quality? - preciousness? - quality and preciousness? - or what?
Many of the search results for noble woods appear to be from websites in English which are run by French, Italian or Spanish companies. Cf. French bois nobles, Italian legni nobli and Spanish maderas nobles.
IMO most English people would say 'expensive wood', like 'precious metals', maybe that's the best option. 'Noble' sounds too much like a marketing term. http://www.sears.ca/content/wood even describes cherry as 'valuable and expensive'!
Also known as Spanish guitar, it's the most popular stringed instrument in Spain and most of the world. They are concert and studio guitars. Made with noble woods like ebony, German pine or cedar from Honduras or Canada. The guitars have wonderful balanced sound, a rounded and velvety sound.
The only problem now is: how many of your readers will know what you mean if you use the term "noble wood"? Hmm. In that sense, sth like "fine wood", or "premium-quality wood", or "high-grade wood" might be better. However, these of course lack the specific reference to the fact that these edelhouten are pretty much all fancy hardwoods, with beautiful grains and depth.
How about sth like "a premium-quality hardwood" or "a high-grade hardwood". This is at least instantly recognisable to most readers.
"It has been both instructive and intriguing to investigate the various countryhouse myths which surround mahogany and its use. From an early date mahogany has been associated with a certain nationalistic pride; it has been popularly invested with honorary Britishness, and placed second only to the native oak in the hierarchy of noble woods. Blackie called it 'the chief of furniture woods' and described the tree as 'a most magnificent and splendid object, compared with which the largest oak, the king of our forests, dwindles into insignificance.' Such hyperboles, and the myths they generate, are indicative of the degree to which mahogany has permeated the national psyche."
(The English Mahogany Trade 1700 -1793 A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Adam Bowett, Department of Furniture, Faculty of Design, Buckinghamshire College, Brunei University)
Edelhout is een zorgvuldig geselecteerd hout dat gebruikt kan worden in de keuken. Die zowel hitte, vochtigheid en intensief gebruik kunnen weerstaan zonder te krimpen of uit te zetten. Omdat Edelhout aan al deze elementen moet voldoen heeft het een tijd gedroogt tot een vochtigheidspercentage van maar liefst 11 procent. Het hout zijn ruwgezaagde balken die daarna geschaafd zijn."
"Massief Edelhout is een natuurlijk materiaal. Iedere houtsoort heeft zijn eigen structuur en eigenschappen. "
"Massief Edelhouten keukenbladen dienen behandeld te worden om uitdroging, verkleuring en scheuren te voorkomen. Door olie en schuurpapier op de juiste manier te gebruiken is Massief Edelhout tijdloos en duurzaam. "
"The furniture used for a living room will look and work brilliantly in oak. Regardless whether it's about a traditional coffee table or a modern book shelve, oak will grant that little further decoration is to be required. It can simply add style and elegance without much work, since oak stands as a noble wood by itself [whatever that means]. Thus, it makes for a good value for money both on the short-term, as well as on the long-term." (http://www.fortunewoods.co.uk/why-choose-oak-furniture/ )
"ASH FLOORING – THE NOBLE HARDWOOD
Ash is a broad leaf tree with a wood that is hard, tough and easy to bend. Qualities that make it excellent for parquet floors. With the ash's light colours, the parquet also gives the room that fresh Scandinavian feeling. (http://www.pergo.co.uk/en-GB/wooden-flooring/collections/ash... )"
"Staining chestnut Postby Tim Nott » Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:07 am
We've been asked to quote on some bookshelves - two occupying the entire wall of one room, floor to ceiling, with another wall going up to 80cm high. These should house about 2000 books. The guy wants a 'noble wood of the region' eg oak or chestnut - and stained dark. We intend to try and dissuade him from dark stain as it would make the room oppressive and also be a b*stard to do (about 50 sqm of stain) and expensive. If we can't convince him of the charm of unstained chestnut (oak would seem a waste when 90 percent covered in books) what does the panel reccomend that would be easy to apply on 2.4 x .3m boards and not hamper subsequent finishing. I dunno how rich the guy is but walnut might be a possibility stained with vandyke crystals. We can (and will have to) finish them 'knocked down' as it's three storeys of spiral staircase to the room. "(http://www.woodworkuk.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=7025&v... )
Yup, I think the best option is either "high-grade" or "premium-quality". Fine wood might be OK, although something in me doesn't like the sound of it. Nobel is just plain weird, iyam.
Since it isn't clear to Dutch people exactly what kind of wood edelhout refers to (because, imo, the term doesn't refer to a specific number of different kinds), I think it is best to mirror this in English.
Yes, those are two more possibilities. I do a lot of stuff in this area, and its not an easy word to translate. You usually have to make an educated guess based on the context.
It's sometimes used as a synonym (and euphemism) for "exotisch", ie wood from non-native species such as mahogany, which Nils has suggested. Andrew hasn't given the context, but I'd be willing to bet that the implication is that you don't find wood like this in cars today, because it's not acceptable to cut down rainforests. If you'll forgive a German reference: http://dict.leo.org/ende/index_de.html#/search=Edelholz&sear...
"Working from the Dodge line of pickups, Busse formalized the idea of building the interior of all Chrysler vehicles from the steering wheel out, an idea which, when you think about it, makes a tremendous amount of sense. Busse explains that the steering wheel is "the one piece that you hold all the time, so that's where we spend our money." The instrument panels and gauge clusters are almost as equally important because that is naturally where the eye flows and it is the opportunity to showcase the fact that Chrysler is an American marque. Gone are the materials that earned the 2007 Sebring the moniker "chalice of wretchedness," having been replaced with premium quality wood grain dash kits and leather-wrapped trims."
"Interior: harmony and high quality […] The shaping and the materials used evince a maximum of superior value. "Comfortable", "sporty", "refined" and "expertly crafted" are the words that most aptly express the interior of the CL. Valuable wood is dominant in the center console area and in the flowing trim lines of the door and rear compartments - on the CL 600 premium-quality wood is also used around the roof control unit, the rear air vent and the ashtray and cup holder cover in the rear. " (http://www.carenthusiast.com/ncar0210/merc_cl.htm )