Synonyms galore even in French science articles SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 BY MATTHEW KUSHINKA While reading an article in the most recent issue of the French magazine Science & Vie, I was struck by the number of synonyms that the writer used for grands arbres (“large trees”). I can’t recall ever reading a similar article in English with as many alternate ways of describing the article’s subject. The article, “Vers la fin des grands arbres,” describes how the giant species of the world’s forests—sequoia, eucalyptus, pokok gergasi, baobab—are disappearing at an alarming rate. All plants, but large trees especially, are essential for Earth’s many ecosystems. They provide habitats for innumerable animal and insect species and take enormous amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere. The French reporter who wrote the article, Lise Barnéoud, employed a tactic that I’ve seen many French writers use, even in articles about concrete subjects such as trees. Instead of repeatedly using “large trees” (or the Latin name for each tree), the writer used a myriad of synonyms and metaphors. The technique of using (some might say overusing) synonyms is seen less in English than in French—one of the many differences between the writing styles of the two languages. This technique is used in a much more limited way in English, one of the many differences between French and English writing styles. Some of Barnéoud’s choices—such as rois des forêts—are conventional. Other synonyms are poetic (or overwrought, depending upon your point of view), such as cathédrales végétales (“plant cathedrals”). Below are the synonyms and metaphors for grands arbres that appear in the article. French English gloss • doyens de la nature • “nature’s elders” • maîtres de l’espace et du temps • “masters of space and time” • rois des forêts • “kings of the forests” • colosses végétales • “plant colossi” • [les] plus grands habitants [des forêts] • “[the] largest inhabitants [of the forests]” • créatures immobiles • “motionless living things” • monstre[s] sacré[s] • “holy freak[s] of nature” • titans ligneux • “woody titans” • cathédrales végétales • “plant cathedrals” • géants • “giants” • vétérans des forêts • “veterans of the forests” • grands monuments végétaux • “large plant monuments” • êtres taiseux • “taciturn beings” • cathédrales géantes • “giant cathedrals” • individus majestueux • “majestic individuals” • vieux compagnons • “old companions” • véritables tours de Babel • “veritable towers of Babel” What about in your language? Can writers use synonyms and metaphors to this degree? Or does it come across as forced or overdone? Let us know. You can also like our Facebook page to receive more articles like this one. Source: “Vers la fin des grands arbres.” Science et Vie. Août 2013. Matthew Kushinka is the founder and principal of RedLine Language Services LLC. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the company helps commercial clients create, revise, and translate their written content. Send your questions or comments to matthew@redlinels or connect with Matthew on Google+, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter.
Posted on: Sat, 07 Sep 2013 15:34:10 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015