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This question was closed without grading. Reason: Answer found elsewhere
Jun 11, 2008 15:17
15 yrs ago
4 viewers *
French term

ligne de flottaison

French to English Art/Literary Art, Arts & Crafts, Painting
Hi

Again, from a list of dos and donts when staging temporary exhibitions:

"Les vitrines doivent être à hauteur d'oeil. La "ligne de flottaison" des oeuvres est fixée en accord avec la conservation."

I'm familiar with a ship's float line. From researching, I now also know that a web page has a "ligne de flottaison" which is the part of the page visible on the screen before scrolling down ("fold" in English, if anyone's interested!).
I imagine this is that part of the exhibit that is visible without having to look up or down but what would this be called? Would "float line" work in English? For info, the French is in inverted commas in the text.

Many thanks for keeping me afloat :-)
Proposed translations (English)
3 see text
3 eye level
3 -1 "Waterline"
1 waterline

Discussion

Sandra Petch (asker) Jun 12, 2008:
Thanks everyone. I can only think this is the person's own jargon. I went with: "Showcases must be at eye level. The exhibits' position in the cases is defined in consultation with the curator."
Sandra Petch (asker) Jun 12, 2008:
The fact this is in inverted commas suggests it's the museum's or the person's own jargon. I have done a lot of (time-consuming) research and cannot find this expression used elsewhere in French this way and nothing in English. I will probably use something like "position of the works" and keep "eye level" for "hauteur d'oeil" at the start of the sentence.
Sandra Petch (asker) Jun 11, 2008:
Of course, as Andrès and Desertfox have pointed out, I meant "waterline" and not "float line"!

Proposed translations

16 mins

waterline

"The display frames must be (arranged) at eye level. The "waterline" of the art works is fixed (arranged) according to their conservation requirements."

Waterline - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia- [ Traducir esta página ]Waterline refers to an imaginary line marking the level at which ship or boat floats in the water. To an observer on the ship the water appears to rise or ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterline - 39k - En caché - Páginas similares
Note from asker:
Thank you Andres. "Waterline" is what I meant by float line in my question. I must be tired! Do you have any references of this being used in this context? I haven't found anything myself.
Peer comment(s):
neutral Christopher Crockett : A literal translation. Except that I've never, ever, seen the term used in this context --it makes no sense here.
6 mins
Something went wrong...
-1
17 mins

"Waterline"

Maybe waterline with inverted commas?
Note from asker:
Sorry, "waterline" is what I meant by float line in my question. Thanks!
Peer comment(s):
neutral Christopher Crockett : A literal translation. Except that I've never, ever, seen the term used in this context --it makes no sense here.
5 mins
disagree Mohamed Mehenoun : I've never seen it used...
2 hrs
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7 mins

see text

I don't think there is a term in English --the "hanging level" seems to be what is meant, but that's akward as hell, obviously.

I'd circumlocute this one with something like "the placement of the works on the wall is determined by conservation considerations" --which I take to mean that you wouldn't hand a painting in a spot which would get direct sunlight through a window.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 mins (2008-06-11 15:25:47 GMT)
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"hang a painting," obviously.

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Note added at 21 mins (2008-06-11 15:38:54 GMT)
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Ahh, the "vitrines" are at eye level and, within them, the placement of the objects is determined by conservation considerations...?

Conservation considerations like *what*? I wonder.

It seems like, within the case, the only consideration would be something like Ease [and exhaustivness] of Visibility --three dimensioal objects which were articulated all over their surfaces should be mounted or suspended so that everything could be seen, mirrors placed beneath them, etc.

But those factors have nothing to do with "conservation," as best I can see.
Note from asker:
Thank you Christopher. The "problem" is that these seem to be works in a display case, not hung.
Peer comment(s):
neutral Tony M : It's not 'conservation', Chris: 'le conservateur' is the curator, and so 'en accord avec la conservation' will mean 'by agreement with the museum management'
45 mins
Thanks, Tony, that makes more sense and you must be right. I've just never seen the term used that way. Doesn't essentially change this "waterline" business, however, does it?
Something went wrong...
1 hr

eye level

You just toss out the phrase and say "this" or whatever.

"The ideal eye level of displays will be selected in consultation with the curatorial staff.

or whatever
Something went wrong...
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