Glossary entry (derived from question below)
French term or phrase:
balayer large
English translation:
spread (our) net as wide as possible
Added to glossary by
Bianca Jacobsohn
Jun 1, 2007 16:57
16 yrs ago
1 viewer *
French term
France
Finance & Energy // French & English
Native in: English 
Works in: French to English, English to French
balayer large
French to English
Social Sciences
Government / Politics
DU PARTI AU CABINET DU MAIRE
From a quote of an ex-activist of "la deuxième gauche" giving his opinion on "la vieille gauche":
"Mitterrandienne, opportuniste rad-soc… Melting pot crétin des idées… Je vais vite, hein… **Qui permet de balayer large** et d’avoir un positionnement centriste gauche au moment de chaque congrès, [...] il y a pas de cohérence intellectuelle"
I understand that he is levelling criticism at how centrist or general (sweeping?) the old left is, particular when it's in their interest to be so. Would appreciate any creative suggestions for "balayer large"!
"Mitterrandienne, opportuniste rad-soc… Melting pot crétin des idées… Je vais vite, hein… **Qui permet de balayer large** et d’avoir un positionnement centriste gauche au moment de chaque congrès, [...] il y a pas de cohérence intellectuelle"
I understand that he is levelling criticism at how centrist or general (sweeping?) the old left is, particular when it's in their interest to be so. Would appreciate any creative suggestions for "balayer large"!
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
+7
1 hr
Selected
spread (our) net as wide as possible
bring in the masses
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Note added at 14 hrs (2007-06-02 07:04:48 GMT)
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WIDELY as possible - "wide" will pass muster but this is better
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Note added at 14 hrs (2007-06-02 07:04:48 GMT)
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WIDELY as possible - "wide" will pass muster but this is better
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks, CMJ - this is a great equivalent. I've adapted it to my text as "casting their nets wide"."
+1
53 mins
to have as wide an appeal as possible
Don't disagree with Robert's idea, but my feeling is that it's criticising someone's (Sègolène's??) apparent way of trying to have something to please everyone.
I'd also suggest "to be all things to all people"
I'd also suggest "to be all things to all people"
+2
1 hr
broaden their position
or broaden their appeal
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Robert Frankling
: or "broaden their appeal"
20 mins
|
| agree |
jean-jacques alexandre
11 hrs
|
+1
32 mins
Robert Frankling
Native in English
BA in Translation/Dipl
Native in: English
Works in: French to English, English to French
take in a wide sweep (of issues)
what happens when economic policies are incoherent and inconsistent. ... the papers published herewith cover a wide sweep of issues relating to trade ...
www.hrnicholls.com.au/nicholls/nichvol2/vol2intr.htm
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Note added at 35 mins (2007-06-01 17:33:24 GMT)
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The "sweep of issues" the candidate supports is meant to appeal to both left and centre, but many of the things he supports are somewhat contradictory...is that it?
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Note added at 1 hr (2007-06-01 18:32:27 GMT)
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"Wide sweep" can be positive: (Photography) Since zooming out includes a wide sweep of the scene, all of the objects in the scene ...
www.shortcourses.com/using/lenses/chapter5.htm
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Note added at 2 hrs (2007-06-01 18:58:50 GMT)
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But in the context given, it is the writer who is openly critical of the politician with harsh words like "opportuniste" and "pas de cohérence intellectuelle".
www.hrnicholls.com.au/nicholls/nichvol2/vol2intr.htm
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Note added at 35 mins (2007-06-01 17:33:24 GMT)
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The "sweep of issues" the candidate supports is meant to appeal to both left and centre, but many of the things he supports are somewhat contradictory...is that it?
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2007-06-01 18:32:27 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
"Wide sweep" can be positive: (Photography) Since zooming out includes a wide sweep of the scene, all of the objects in the scene ...
www.shortcourses.com/using/lenses/chapter5.htm
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Note added at 2 hrs (2007-06-01 18:58:50 GMT)
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But in the context given, it is the writer who is openly critical of the politician with harsh words like "opportuniste" and "pas de cohérence intellectuelle".
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Mary Moritz
3 hrs
|
| neutral |
B D Finch
: I think it is about attracting as many people as possible and not bothering too much about the issues.
16 hrs
|
|
It's so hard to translate a metaphor.
|
3 hrs
to be somewhat ambiguous
to speak somewhat ambiguously (which can be slanted to work well in front of potentially disagreeing factions)
12 hrs
to attract a diverse following
Hello,
balayer large = to sweep up a vast array....
In other words, he attracts a diverse following of people from different political parties, beliefs, walks of life, etc.
I hope this helps.
balayer large = to sweep up a vast array....
In other words, he attracts a diverse following of people from different political parties, beliefs, walks of life, etc.
I hope this helps.
17 hrs
to sweep in everyone we can
Keeping the original imagery.
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