Glossary entry (derived from question below)
French term or phrase:
un impensé
English translation:
not yet explored
- The asker opted for community grading. The question was closed on 2021-06-28 08:54:17 based on peer agreement (or, if there were too few peer comments, asker preference.)
Jun 24, 2021 10:33
2 yrs ago
57 viewers *
French term
un impensé
French to English
Other
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Energy
"Le développement d'une mobilité plus durable passe-t-il nécessairement par une moindre mobilité? On appelle cela la demobilité. En fait, c'est un peu un **impensé**"
Hello, does anyone have a good translation for this? It comes from an interview about low-emission mobility and how covid-19 has affected the way we travel around.
Many thanks.
Hello, does anyone have a good translation for this? It comes from an interview about low-emission mobility and how covid-19 has affected the way we travel around.
Many thanks.
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
+4
9 mins
Philippa Smith
Native in English
Works in field
29 years turning out perfect English
Native in: English (Variant: British) 
Works in: French to English, Spanish to English
Related KudoZ points
:
49
Selected
not yet explored
As in: "a notion/something that has not yet really been explored."
Or "uncharted": "that is still pretty much uncharted."
Lots of possibilities along these lines.
Or "uncharted": "that is still pretty much uncharted."
Lots of possibilities along these lines.
Note from asker:
| That would work well, many thanks! |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Carol Gullidge
: yes,and also like "uncharted territory"
18 mins
|
|
Thanks Carol! Ohh yes, I like "uncharted territory".
|
|
| agree |
Conor McAuley
36 mins
|
|
Thanks Conor!
|
|
| agree |
Samuël Buysschaert
2 hrs
|
|
Thanks Samuël!
|
|
| neutral |
Mpoma
: I don't think this is strong enough... I think it's a case of "here be dragons" / yes, context is important: unfortunately the author may be somewhat misusing the word
2 hrs
|
|
I see your thinking, but to be honest for me that's too strong, based on the general discourse on mobility (I translate quite a lot of stuff in this area) and on changing habits. But it's a very fine line!
|
|
| agree |
James A. Walsh
: Really like "uncharted territory".
1 day 3 hrs
|
|
Thanks James! Yes it's a good solution. :-)
|
|
| neutral |
Daryo
: in fact "un impensé" is even one step before s.t. being "uncharted" or "yet to be explored" - no one has thought of it AT ALL, no one has yet even noticed there is something to be explored.
1 day 23 hrs
|
|
Not in this context.
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Many thanks all. For me, this suggestion suits the context best."
+1
13 mins
Gregory Marneffe
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Native in French
Specializes in field
Luxembourg
Absolute commitment to quality
Native in: French (Variants: Standard-France, Belgian) 
Works in: English to French, Spanish to French, French to English, and 1 more.
something unthought-of
Hi Katiej,
The term "impensé", which is rather uncommon, refers to a topic or action nobody has ever thought about or seriously considered.
Regards,
Gregory
The term "impensé", which is rather uncommon, refers to a topic or action nobody has ever thought about or seriously considered.
Regards,
Gregory
Note from asker:
| Yes, I saw a few references in French sources to "impensé culturel" or "impensé social" and some relating to philosophy but it didn't seem to be a very widely used term. Thank you! |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Daryo
: "a topic or action nobody has ever thought about" if you check the real life usage (just an idea, that looks like "un impensé" for most ...) that's the closest.
1 day 23 hrs
|
1 hr
Peter Field
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
United Kingdom
21 yrs as a Translator/Editor from FR>EN
Native in: English (Variant: UK)
Works in: French to English
something that has not yet been specified
It could also be something that has not been pointed out or made clear:
'"Impensé, -ée, adj. Qui n'a pas été précisé. Nous sommes dans un monde impensé, impensable auparavant (ÉLUARD, Donner, 1939, p. 118). Emploi subst. Informulées, ces énergies glissent dans l'impensé (J.-R. BLOCH, Dest. du S., 1931, p. 191)".
'"Impensé, -ée, adj. Qui n'a pas été précisé. Nous sommes dans un monde impensé, impensable auparavant (ÉLUARD, Donner, 1939, p. 118). Emploi subst. Informulées, ces énergies glissent dans l'impensé (J.-R. BLOCH, Dest. du S., 1931, p. 191)".
Reference:
-2
2 hrs
(In fact, it's a bit of) an unthought
The unthought refers to the fact that "developing more sustainable mobility necessarily means less mobility". That is, this situation has not been proven with certain facts.
Peer comment(s):
| disagree |
Carol Gullidge
: Sorry, but I can’t see how this could work in English; “unthought” is an adjective, not a noun.
2 hrs
|
| disagree |
AllegroTrans
: “unthought” is an adjective
1 day 23 hrs
|
| neutral |
Daryo
: "s.t. (yet) unthought of" could work, but with a completely different explanation.
2 days 1 hr
|
2 hrs
something (quite) unthinkable
I think it's a bit stronger than the other suggestions imply.
TLFi gives, for the adjective, "« qui ne peut être saisi par la pensée » (RICHARD); 2. 1931 « incroyable, inimaginable »"
In my mind it overlaps with something like "a taboo area", which I thought of putting, but I think that involves too much interpolation.
TLFi gives, for the adjective, "« qui ne peut être saisi par la pensée » (RICHARD); 2. 1931 « incroyable, inimaginable »"
In my mind it overlaps with something like "a taboo area", which I thought of putting, but I think that involves too much interpolation.
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Carol Gullidge
: Can’t help thinking that this would have been “impensable”; in EN, unthinkable isn’t quite the same as unbelievable, incredible, etc. It can have added connotations of disapproval, ...
1 hr
|
|
faux ami. Important to examine definitions carefully, e.g. the one I quote
|
|
| neutral |
Daryo
: that is fine for "impensable" (adj.) but "l’impensé" hasn't got any moral connotations, it's simple a neutral statement of facts - along the lines of "no one tough of it yet" / a subject "gone completely unnoticed so far".
1 day 21 hrs
|
|
agree... but "unthinkable" has no moral overtones either
|
+1
3 hrs
unheard of
if you want an English sounding expression, what about this?
Unheard of pretty much means no one has ever said it before and by extension, no one has probably thought of it before either
I aslo like this solution as the 'un" negative prefix matches the French "im" one
Unheard of pretty much means no one has ever said it before and by extension, no one has probably thought of it before either
I aslo like this solution as the 'un" negative prefix matches the French "im" one
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Carol Gullidge
: Oops, I’m so sorry, that comment accidentally went into the wrong box! :(
I actually agree with this suggestion!
1 hr
|
|
okay, that's even better then!
|
+1
4 hrs
Adrian MM.
Austria
Austria
Native in English
Austria
Retd.T&I, Barrister & Austro-Advokat
Native in: English (Variants: British, Scottish)
Works in: Spanish to English, English to Spanish, French to English, and 5 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
12
an imponderable
c'est un peu un impensé: it's something of an imponderable.
- and is, 'conceivably', almost a literal translation.
- and is, 'conceivably', almost a literal translation.
Example sentence:
''There are so many imponderables [about making the play-offs] there's no point in looking at it,' he said
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
AllegroTrans
: I think this is the closest suggestion to the Fr as well as fitting into the sentence perfectly// she left the decision to the blind, unguided "community" voting system which tells us nothing about her preference whatever
1 day 22 hrs
|
|
Thanks, Chris. The asker possibly doesn't want to be seen picking my answer...
|
17 hrs
David Hollywood
Native in English
Works in field
worked for int. orgs (IMF, OAS, IDB)
Native in: English
Works in: Spanish to English, German to English
Related KudoZ points
:
28
it's up in the air
keeps the travel aspect and idiomatic
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 17 hrs (2021-06-25 03:58:33 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
up in the air
(of a plan or issue) still to be settled; unresolved
"the fate of the power station is up in the air"
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 17 hrs (2021-06-25 03:59:34 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
hits the nail on the head IMO
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 17 hrs (2021-06-25 04:00:13 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
but so many options to choose from
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 17 hrs (2021-06-25 04:05:00 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
and to be more specific: it's a bit up in the air
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 18 hrs (2021-06-25 04:54:52 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
I also like "uncharted territory" but agree it might be going too far
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 17 hrs (2021-06-25 03:58:33 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
up in the air
(of a plan or issue) still to be settled; unresolved
"the fate of the power station is up in the air"
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 17 hrs (2021-06-25 03:59:34 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
hits the nail on the head IMO
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 17 hrs (2021-06-25 04:00:13 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
but so many options to choose from
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 17 hrs (2021-06-25 04:05:00 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
and to be more specific: it's a bit up in the air
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 18 hrs (2021-06-25 04:54:52 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
I also like "uncharted territory" but agree it might be going too far
1 day 7 hrs
Lisa Rosengard
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
United Kingdom
experienced and well qualified linguist
Native in: English (Variant: UK)
Works in: Spanish to English, English, Spanish, and 3 more.
an inconceivable idea
An inconceivable idea is unthinkable, or without consideration. It's a question which asks whether longer lasting mobility would entail less mobility, or not. Lacking or decreasing mobility is the unthinkable issue.
Example sentence:
FR: Une idée inconcevable est un impensé, sans considération. C'est une question qui demande si la mobilité plus durable impliquerait de la mobilité moindre, ou non pas. La moindre mobilité est l'impensé.
2 days 22 hrs
something that’s not (really) been thought (much) about so far
I think because it is 'un' impensé, we could usefully move the negative element to the verb part of the expression instead to make it sound more naturl in EN.
Of course, as it stands, this is still clunky and awkward, as it needs properly fitting slickly into the rest of the sentence and context; I just thought it was possibly useful to consider a different approach here...
Of course, as it stands, this is still clunky and awkward, as it needs properly fitting slickly into the rest of the sentence and context; I just thought it was possibly useful to consider a different approach here...
Reference comments
1 day 23 hrs
Reference:
L’impensé
Nom commun
Singulier Pluriel
impensé impensés
ɛ̃.pɑ̃.se
impensé ɛ̃.pɑ̃.se masculin
État de ce qui est non formulé, non pensé.
Informulées, ces énergies glissent dans l'impensé. — (J.-R. Bloch, Dest. du S., 1931)
https://fr.wiktionary.org/wiki/impensé
De tels instants sont comme des aperçus de l'infra-cinéma, l'invisible composant du visible, ce que nous ne voyons pas dans ce que nous voyons ou l'impensé dans ce que nous pensons voir.ll
=
Such instants are like glimpses of this infra-cinema we call Dark Matter Cinema, the invisible component of the visible, what we don't see in what we see or the unthought of what we think we see.
https://context.reverso.net/translation/french-english/impen...
le concept du 'terrorisme' est un impensé des sciences sociales
https://dict.leo.org/forum/viewUnsolvedquery.php?idThread=45...
L’IMPENSE SOCIAL DES RUMEURS POLITIQUES
Sur l’approche dominocentrique du phénomène et son dépassement
Article paru dans la revue Mots – Les langaes du politique, n°92, 2010
RESUME
Les rumeurs politiques sont habituellement traitées à l’écart des formes générales et familières du phénomène social de la rumeur. Cette clause d’exception théorique repose sur la conception d’un rapport au politique clivé, opposant de façon polarisée les milieux populaires (gens d’en bas) aux milieux élitaires (gens d’en haut). Les rumeurs politiques colportées dans les premiers seraient affaire de croyance, et étudiées comme telles. Alors que les élites sociales et les professionnels de la politique joueraient et se joueraient des rumeurs en stratèges. L’auteur met au jour les ressorts dominocentriques de la thèse établissant ce partage artificiel du phénomène et défend, en prenant appui sur la littérature spécialisée et des exemples de la chronique politique récente, une approche qui articule usages populaires et usages politiques des rumeurs.
L’impensé social des rumeurs politiques
Sur l’approche dominocentrique du phénomène et son dépassement
Philippe ALDRIN
La trame de la vie politique est aussi faite de rumeurs. Avec leur charroi de révélations, elles courent un temps les cafés, les dîners en ville et les rédactions, défrayent la chronique et s’accrochent parfois à la réputation des « hommes » publics comme des insignes déshonorants malgré le silence ou les démentis. Pierre Mendès France agent des « deux cents familles », les époux Pompidou intimes du sulfureux Markovic, François Mitterrand atteint dès son élection d’un mal incurable, Jacques Chirac père d’un enfant japonais caché… Ces bribes de rumeurs appartiennent autant à la mémoire de la scène politique et médiatique qu’à l’histoire sociale de l’opinion.
https://www.academia.edu/5686095/Limpensé_social_des_rumeurs...
3.
Impensé, -ée, adj.Qui n'a pas été précisé. Nous sommes dans un monde impensé, impensable auparavant (Éluard, Donner,1939, p. 118).Emploi subst. Informulées, ces énergies glissent dans l'impensé (J.-R. Bloch, Dest. du S.,1931, p. 191).
https://www.cnrtl.fr/definition/impensé
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 days 8 mins (2021-06-26 10:42:11 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
I almost forgot ....
Checking first the real-life usage of an unusual term in the source language?
Looks like "un impensé" for a number "pro linguists" ...
Singulier Pluriel
impensé impensés
ɛ̃.pɑ̃.se
impensé ɛ̃.pɑ̃.se masculin
État de ce qui est non formulé, non pensé.
Informulées, ces énergies glissent dans l'impensé. — (J.-R. Bloch, Dest. du S., 1931)
https://fr.wiktionary.org/wiki/impensé
De tels instants sont comme des aperçus de l'infra-cinéma, l'invisible composant du visible, ce que nous ne voyons pas dans ce que nous voyons ou l'impensé dans ce que nous pensons voir.ll
=
Such instants are like glimpses of this infra-cinema we call Dark Matter Cinema, the invisible component of the visible, what we don't see in what we see or the unthought of what we think we see.
https://context.reverso.net/translation/french-english/impen...
le concept du 'terrorisme' est un impensé des sciences sociales
https://dict.leo.org/forum/viewUnsolvedquery.php?idThread=45...
L’IMPENSE SOCIAL DES RUMEURS POLITIQUES
Sur l’approche dominocentrique du phénomène et son dépassement
Article paru dans la revue Mots – Les langaes du politique, n°92, 2010
RESUME
Les rumeurs politiques sont habituellement traitées à l’écart des formes générales et familières du phénomène social de la rumeur. Cette clause d’exception théorique repose sur la conception d’un rapport au politique clivé, opposant de façon polarisée les milieux populaires (gens d’en bas) aux milieux élitaires (gens d’en haut). Les rumeurs politiques colportées dans les premiers seraient affaire de croyance, et étudiées comme telles. Alors que les élites sociales et les professionnels de la politique joueraient et se joueraient des rumeurs en stratèges. L’auteur met au jour les ressorts dominocentriques de la thèse établissant ce partage artificiel du phénomène et défend, en prenant appui sur la littérature spécialisée et des exemples de la chronique politique récente, une approche qui articule usages populaires et usages politiques des rumeurs.
L’impensé social des rumeurs politiques
Sur l’approche dominocentrique du phénomène et son dépassement
Philippe ALDRIN
La trame de la vie politique est aussi faite de rumeurs. Avec leur charroi de révélations, elles courent un temps les cafés, les dîners en ville et les rédactions, défrayent la chronique et s’accrochent parfois à la réputation des « hommes » publics comme des insignes déshonorants malgré le silence ou les démentis. Pierre Mendès France agent des « deux cents familles », les époux Pompidou intimes du sulfureux Markovic, François Mitterrand atteint dès son élection d’un mal incurable, Jacques Chirac père d’un enfant japonais caché… Ces bribes de rumeurs appartiennent autant à la mémoire de la scène politique et médiatique qu’à l’histoire sociale de l’opinion.
https://www.academia.edu/5686095/Limpensé_social_des_rumeurs...
3.
Impensé, -ée, adj.Qui n'a pas été précisé. Nous sommes dans un monde impensé, impensable auparavant (Éluard, Donner,1939, p. 118).Emploi subst. Informulées, ces énergies glissent dans l'impensé (J.-R. Bloch, Dest. du S.,1931, p. 191).
https://www.cnrtl.fr/definition/impensé
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 days 8 mins (2021-06-26 10:42:11 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
I almost forgot ....
Checking first the real-life usage of an unusual term in the source language?
Looks like "un impensé" for a number "pro linguists" ...
Peer comments on this reference comment:
| neutral |
Philippa Smith
: None of your refs are relevant to the context here. And criticising fellow linguists, really?
2 days 22 mins
|
| neutral |
AllegroTrans
: I fail to see how these refs. help
2 days 1 hr
|
Discussion
So it works very neatly indeed!!!