This site uses cookies.
Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site,
while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used.
For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
I wouldn't say it is essential, but as "fairy" based terms do contain the elements of "enchantment, magic, magnificence" etc, I don't think there is any harm at all in using it, which accounts for my suggestion of "fairyesque". I reckon this comes down to a matter of personal choice and interpretation.
There is no doubt an interesting research project to be done concerning the origin of the word and how it acquired its various meanings. This is the case with most words, of course. But the issue here is whether the 'fairy' aspect is important for the text quoted. I don't think it is in this instance.
Although most dictionaries give these two different meanings to the word 'féerique', if you look into them there is actually a connection, as though somewhere in history the meaning of one was applied towards the other idea.
Can't help feeling that some of this is starting to go away with the fairies! Let's get back to basics by quoting the French definition of the word 'féerique' from Le Petit Robert. It has two meanings, which no doubt accounts for the differences of opinion regarding its use here: 1. Qui appartient au monde des fées 2. D'une béauté irréelle. The latter sense is clairified by referring the reader to the entries for 'enchanteur' and 'magnifique'. Various options are available to render these adjectives, including the obvious ones of 'enchanting' and 'magnificent'. I put 'magical' because I have seen it used many times when talking about the effect of lighting. It conveys the idea of the sense of wonder created by the lights.
I agree with AllegraTrans. If they were used (or even hinted at) in the original text, why shouldn't they be given the same treatment in the target term?
The use of "fairy" based words does not necessarily imply a little fairy with wings and a magic wand. "Fairytale's" do not have to contain sweet little fairies in order to be a fairytale, just as in French, féerique can present a sort of enchanting splendour without actually referring to these sweet little things.
@ Bourth – No other mention or féerique, but there is another mention of par beau temps,: "Une balade nocturne peut se faire par beau temps, le centre étant joliment illuminé" next to a picture of two carriages on a cobblestone street... at night.
There is nothing limiting "fairyesque" to CC's interpretation. I see "fairyesque" as having a magnificent and wonderful appearance, which is exactly how I see the term "fairyesque" - in UK English anyway.
