French term
France
New language gives new life
Native in: Bengali 
Works in: French to Bengali, Bengali to French, English to French, and 1 more.
Mention Bien
| 4 +2 | with Upper Second Class honours |
cchat
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| 3 +2 | (with Merit) |
Victoria Porter-Burns
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| 4 | with honours grade B |
swanda
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Dec 7, 2008 10:06: Sokratis VAVILIS changed "Language pair" from "English to French" to "French to English"
Dec 7, 2008 12:40: Karen Stokes changed "Level" from "PRO" to "Non-PRO"
Non-PRO (3): Richard Nice, writeaway, Karen Stokes
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Proposed translations
with Upper Second Class honours
When translating grades, it is necessary to situate them in the appropriate context. Within the Erasmus system, the grade system is explained and then can be translated/adapted to the other system. In France
the pass mark is 10,
the "mention assez bien" is 12,
the "mention bien" is 14
and the "mention très bien" is 16 (all out of 20).
The problem is that it is much easier to get a "mention" in some subjects than in others. In science a "mention assez bien" may be a very good mark, and in the humanities it may even be below average.
It is not simply a matter of translation, it is also necessary to situate the context of the diploma.
| agree |
Barbara Cochran, MFA
: D'accord.
36 mins
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Thanks
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| neutral |
Victoria Porter-Burns
: Yes, this would be the correct translation IF it is used here in the context of a university degree/diploma, but not if referring to test results at secondary school, for example.
4 hrs
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Completely right, as I indicated above. However the grading system I gave is accurate whether it is Lycée or university. So for high school it would probably be grade A (for A-levels) in G.B.
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| agree |
ArabellaCE (X)
9 hrs
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Thanks
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United Kingdom
BA(Hons) FITI MCIL CL ISO 17100:2015
Native in: English 
Works in: French to English, Spanish to English, English, and 1 more.
(with Merit)
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Note added at 6 mins (2008-12-07 10:09:23 GMT)
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Sorry - It's meant to read (with) Merit, not (with Merit).
| neutral |
polyglot45
: it was just one example - there are other glossary references....
7 mins
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Of course there are. Thanks
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| agree |
Jessica Agullo (X)
: I concur
5 hrs
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Thanks Jessica
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| agree |
ACOZ (X)
11 hrs
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with honours grade B
grade B: mention bien
grade C: mention
Reference comments
Native in: English , French
Works in: English to French, French to English, German to French, and 4 more.
first try the glossaries......
| agree |
Martin Cassell
: indeed. already covered any number of times
2 hrs
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A difference of opinion on the NA equivalency for Mention Bien
Then keep in mind that other sources suggest a different equivalency for the US and Canada.
Le grand dictionnaire terminologique considers it to be:
Domaine(s) :
- éducation
mention bien n. f.
magna cum laude
Définition :
Indication donnée par le jury de certains examens sur son appréciation des candidats reçus ((au)) baccalauréat, ((à)) la licence.
mention très bien n. f.
summa cum laude
Définition : Indication donnée par le jury de certains examens sur son appréciation des candidats reçus ((au)) baccalauréat, ((à)) la licence.
http://www.granddictionnaire.com/BTML/FRA/r_Motclef/index800...
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Wikipedia gives the same:
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distinction_latine
As does a joint law program Cornell University/ Université Paris I Panthéon Sorbonne:
"Hence, students across French universities should be compared based on their honors and their ranking within their class. A Mention Très Bien (summa cum laude) presents truly exceptional achievement, a seldom occurrence in the University of Paris I (Panthéon Sorbonne). Therefore, the top 2 to 3% of a class typically obtain the*** Mention Bien (magna cum laude)***. In certain years, as much as the top 5% of a class have the Mention Bien. Hence, students who have obtained a Mention Bien (magna cum laude) in an academic year should be considered excellent. The top 10% thus attain the Mention Assez-Bien, a commendable achievement in itself."
http://www.lawschool.cornell.edu/international/study_abroad/...
If this is not for North America, nor for a degree program, other solutions should be envisaged.
Discussion