May 2, 2010 08:55
14 yrs ago
1 viewer *
French term
Course à la rentabilité ou respect des objectifs ?
French to English
Other
Transport / Transportation / Shipping
Road Safety
In a warning notice about new speed and safety cameras on French roads. Previous sentence translated as:"..government asked the road safety authorities to improve the accuracy of roadside radar devices" I thought something like: "Whether to go for the benefits or respect the request" - but I can't really make it sound right. The next para goes on to say that X already has the contract for all roadside devices in France - so that really doesn't help me much. Any and all suggestions gratefully received.
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
+3
27 mins
polyglot45
Native in French
&
English
Native in: English 
, French
Works in: English to French, French to English, German to French, and 4 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
204
Selected
Filling its coffers or meeting its targets ? (for life or money?)
The government has asked the authorities to ensure that speed cameras are more accurate - everybody in France knows that there is a percentage error margin plus problems with the angle at which a photo is taken. All of which add up to so many legal loopholes that the legal profession has been gleefully exploiting to get motorists off the hook, save them fines and enable them to keep their points (in France, you start with points and lose them, unlike the UK where it is the reverse).
So the author is asking whether the government is trying to tighten up to make more money from the cameras or to reach its targets in terms of cutting down deaths/accidents on the roads.
So the author is asking whether the government is trying to tighten up to make more money from the cameras or to reach its targets in terms of cutting down deaths/accidents on the roads.
Note from asker:
| Thanks polyglot et al. I pondered much very good advice and went with my own "Company profits or real road safety?" in the context of the whole piece. Points awarded as probably most inspirational response. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Tony M
: Excellent! Makes me think of highwaymen and "Your money or your life!" — come to think of it, we're not that far off, are we? Feeling stung right now, as I got a hefty €90 PV yesterday for failing to stop at a junction :-(
15 mins
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yeah - the thugs can hit the little old ladies over the heads and steal their life savings and nobody lifts a finger but the poor old motorist is always fair game ! The easy target
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| agree |
Emma Paulay
: You could even try "to fill coffers or fulfill objectives"
8 hrs
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| agree |
ACOZ (X)
19 hrs
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks"
15 mins
Chasing profits, or adhering to objectives?
It depends on the context, since 'profit' is only applicable if this criticism is being levelled at the company supplying the speed cameras; if on the other hand it is in fact referring to the authorities who are having them installed, then perhaps 'profit' is not really the right word — indeed, we really need to know just what they are referring to? Do they mean, for example, getting these things to pay for themselves — 'earn their keep' so to speak? or is it just about making money to fill the public coffers.
All these wider considerations are likely to affect the tone and register required here.
All these wider considerations are likely to affect the tone and register required here.
Note from asker:
| Thanks Tony - I had a lot of good advice but in the end put my own twist on it with "Company profits or real road safety?" A difficult points judgement because everybody was helpful |
1 hr
chris collister
France
France
Native in English
France
precision engineer, precision translator
Native in: English 
Works in: French to English
Related KudoZ points
:
51
Moneyspinner or useful tool?
Yes, it's a bit free, but I think it gets the idea across?
Note from asker:
| Thanks for your suggestion Chris. I mulled over all the advice and eventually went with: "company profits or real road safety?" |
3 hrs
Sandra & Kenneth Grossman
Israel
Israel
Native in English
Works in field
Israel
Quality, Reliability, Experience.
Native in: English , Romanian
Works in: French to English, Hebrew to English, Romanian to English, and 3 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
30
Is this a race for cost-effectiveness or for compliance with objectives?
This is a government tender. The question is whether the tender winner will be the one with the most cost-effective solution or the most compliant one.
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Note added at 3 hrs (2010-05-02 12:34:31 GMT)
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"Dans sa démarche, le gouvernement a demandé à la Sécurité Routière d’élargir le domaine de compétence de ses cabines".
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Note added at 3 hrs (2010-05-02 12:36:54 GMT)
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For example:
Cette course à la rentabilité est tout simplement une question de survie pour les constructeurs qui se livrent une bataille à mort.
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Note added at 3 hrs (2010-05-02 12:37:27 GMT)
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http://tinyurl.com/24cvnss
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Note added at 3 hrs (2010-05-02 12:34:31 GMT)
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"Dans sa démarche, le gouvernement a demandé à la Sécurité Routière d’élargir le domaine de compétence de ses cabines".
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs (2010-05-02 12:36:54 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
For example:
Cette course à la rentabilité est tout simplement une question de survie pour les constructeurs qui se livrent une bataille à mort.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs (2010-05-02 12:37:27 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
http://tinyurl.com/24cvnss
Note from asker:
| Thanks Sangro - your advice among others was helpful. In the end made my own "company profits or real road safety" |
4 hrs
Rephrase
It's hard to say whether the goal was to improve safety or make money, but in any event S Corp designed....
Note from asker:
| Thanks John - I took your advice (partially) and that of others. A very difficult points judgement but in the end I went for "Company profits or real road safety?" |
7 hrs
Lucrative bidding war or making roads safer?
Hello,
Why be overly literal here?
Was the camera deal all about a race to bid for the job so some company can make a buck or two, or was really about meeting road safety objectives?
I hope this helps.
Why be overly literal here?
Was the camera deal all about a race to bid for the job so some company can make a buck or two, or was really about meeting road safety objectives?
I hope this helps.
Note from asker:
| Many thanks to all for your suggestions. It was a difficult one and in the end I went with my own "Company profits or real road safety?" |
Discussion