Glossary entry (derived from question below)
French term or phrase:
cheville ouvrière
English translation:
key force
Added to glossary by
Julia Gal
Oct 15, 2001 13:56
23 yrs ago
4 viewers *
French term
cheville ouvrière
French to English
Bus/Financial
I think tiredness and strain have started to get the better of my brain cells!
I just can't think of the right way to say this in English! It's on the tip of my tongue, but it's just not coming out right...
"xxx, l'animateur de la première table ronde, qui sera accompagné par yyy, 'cheville ouvrière' de ce colloque".
I know the dictionary gives "Kingpin" and "mainstay", but I'm sure there's a much better, more 'normal' equivalent - I just can't come up with it!!!
I just can't think of the right way to say this in English! It's on the tip of my tongue, but it's just not coming out right...
"xxx, l'animateur de la première table ronde, qui sera accompagné par yyy, 'cheville ouvrière' de ce colloque".
I know the dictionary gives "Kingpin" and "mainstay", but I'm sure there's a much better, more 'normal' equivalent - I just can't come up with it!!!
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 +1 | Key person |
Daphne Theodoraki
|
| 4 +1 | backbone |
Kateabc
|
| 4 +1 | the thriving force behind... |
peterver
|
| 4 +1 | linchpin |
Yolanda Broad
|
| 4 +1 | driving force |
28march
|
| 5 | additional comments |
Helen D. Elliot (X)
|
| 4 | plays a key role |
Mary Worby
|
| 4 | right-hand person, workhorse??? |
CLS Lexi-tech
|
| 3 +1 | anchorPERSON |
Tony M
|
| 4 | Central figure |
Simon Charass
|
| 3 | keynote speaker OR anchorman |
Tony M
|
Proposed translations
+1
5 mins
Daphne Theodoraki
Sweden
Sweden
Sweden
Translations in Marketing & Fashion
Native in: Greek
Works in: Swedish to Greek, English to Greek, Danish to Greek, and 6 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
85
Selected
Key person
??? Maybe someone else has a better idea...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks to everyone who answered!
Peterver's suggestion immediately made me think of 'driving force', which was what had been on the tip of my tongue, but that I couldn't quite think of...
After reading all your other suggestions, however, I have decided to use 'the key force behind...'
This is one of those terrible situations where everyone deserves points, but I have chosen Daphne as her 'key person' was what put me on the right track.
Thanks once again to all of you...
Julia"
+1
8 mins
backbone
I think that this is what I would use.
+1
9 mins
the thriving force behind...
that's my contribution!
have a good night's rest!
have a good night's rest!
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
CLS Lexi-tech
: maybe you meant "driving"?
1 min
|
|
seems I need some sleep too!
|
+1
12 mins
Yolanda Broad
United States
United States
Native in English
United States
Fren & Span to Eng, a ProZ Pro!
Native in: English 
Works in: French to English, Spanish to English
Related KudoZ points
:
1551
linchpin
Termium gives a number of possibilities. I think I like their "linchpin" best:
English:Translation Problems
Language Problems
linchpin s
EX - They are the linchpins of the industry and in some case the most affluent. (Ottawa Citizen, 19.6.72, p. 48) s
1976-06-19
English:Translation Problems
Language Problems
linchpin s
EX - They are the linchpins of the industry and in some case the most affluent. (Ottawa Citizen, 19.6.72, p. 48) s
1976-06-19
Reference:
+1
14 mins
driving force
It's hard to tell without more context but if the person being referred to is responsible for both inspiration and implementation, this might work. ("Thriving force" got me to "driving force.")If the person's role was more limited, perhaps "workhorse" would do.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Helen D. Elliot (X)
: I think this is most commonly (over)used in NA The driving force behind this conference...
23 mins
|
17 mins
Mary Worby
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
United Kingdom
Friendly, reliable and accurate!
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, French to English
Related KudoZ points
:
484
plays a key role
Another suggestion from the Oxford-Hachette ...
yyy, who plays a key role in the conference.
But all of the above suggestions are good!
Regards
Mary
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2001-12-14 12:18:44 (GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------
Testing!
yyy, who plays a key role in the conference.
But all of the above suggestions are good!
Regards
Mary
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2001-12-14 12:18:44 (GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------
Testing!
33 mins
CLS Lexi-tech
Language innovations for the future
Native in: Italian
Works in: English to Italian, French to Italian, Italian, and 3 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
162
right-hand person, workhorse???
Sorry Julia, perhaps it is all wrong
take care
paola l m
take care
paola l m
41 mins
additional comments
I think all of the ideas are fine (well, perhaps we'll overlook the possibilities of "thriving force ;-)).
The key person, the mainspring, the linchpin (I like that!) Just make sure whatever you choose that it doesn't trivialize the role of the person in the end.
The key person, the mainspring, the linchpin (I like that!) Just make sure whatever you choose that it doesn't trivialize the role of the person in the end.
41 mins
keynote speaker OR anchorman
Just another couple of ideas into the melting-pot!
+1
44 mins
anchorPERSON
OOPS ! SORRY!
55 mins
Simon Charass
Canada
Canada
Native in French
&
English
Canada
Over 20 Years Freelance Translation
Native in: English 
, French
Works in: Italian to English, French to English, English to French, and 9 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
234
Central figure
An other suggestion
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