Marion Delarue (asker) Jun 26, 2015:

Networks for industrial automation applications The client told me they are networks for industrial automation applications, but I still need some help for the translation :o) I'm thinking maybe "réseaux pour le contrôle-commande" ?

Tony M Jun 24, 2015:

@ Daryo Again, 'automation controls' suggests much more plausibly 'automation commands' than if it were, say, 'automated checks'

Think of all the ways we use 'control' in EN to mean 'command', such as 'remote control', 'self-control', 'automatic control', 'manual control', etc. etc.

It's a real faux-ami between EN and FR, one can only really be certain which meaning is intended when we see 'command and control' together!

Daryo Jun 24, 2015:

if you look at other elements of the list like "Automation Controls" hardware and software, it sounds like these are devices with automatic feedback, not something that I would call a "command device".

to make a parallel with a steam locomotive, levers operated by the machinist are for sure "command devices" while I wouldn't call a "centrifugal 'flyball' governor" a command device.

Would you call the circuitry that automatically switches off and on the ventilator on a PC a "command" device?

Anyway, I doubt it makes a huge difference.

Tony M Jun 24, 2015:

@ Daryo There is a subtle linguistic point here that I think tends to go against your suggestion. Note the use of the plural 'cpontrols', and in the other list items.

Now in EN, when one noun — here, 'control' — is used to qualify another nouns ('network') it is rare for it to be in the plural; when the plural is used, it usually means there is some special reason for it.

Note also that unlike FR, 'control' in EN more frequently means 'command' (cf. 'control panel / lever / desk', etc.) and less frequently control in the sense of a check — almost the opposite, in fact of FR.

So I would think there is a 90% : 10% likelihood this is indeed about the 'command' type of controls, which is supported by the use of 'controls' in the plural: it is a network for having control over things, not for checking them. This is consistent with the use of the plural in the preceding hardware / software items.

Marion Delarue (asker) Jun 24, 2015:

networks of controls I'll ask for more context, but I think it is more about networks of controls.

Daryo Jun 24, 2015:

not so obvious just from the name "Controls Network" you could assume it's a network of controls - of devices used to control (=monitor, i.e. only collect input information) some process
or it could as well be
a network that is controlling some process i.e. producing as output some control parameters

or to make a parallel with human physiology, ti could be the equivalent of "nerfs afférents", as well as "nerfs efférents"...

IOW a network of sensors that is only measuring the temperature, pressure etc of an industrial process could hardly be described as a "command" network ...

More context needed!