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.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. French to English
  3. Music

exigence

English translation: placing the same strict demands on himself, he...

10:06 Nov 25, 2004
French to English translations [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary - Music
French term or phrase: exigence
Dans un même souci d'exigence, il a préféré se concentrer sur onze morceaux plutôt que de s'éparpiller:

Talking about someone who takes great care over their lyric writing... I know what they mean, but can't find the right turn of phrase in English for exigence in this context... thanks
celandine
Local time: 21:08
English translation:placing the same strict demands on himself, he...
Explanation:
A suggestion
Selected response from:

Philip Taylor
Local time: 14:08
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +2He is equally demanding when it comes to quantity, preferring to discipline himself to 11...
CMJ_Trans (X)
3 +1perfection or perfectionism
Amanda Bracken
3placing the same strict demands on himself, he...
Philip Taylor
3Giving careful attention to the demands of the task, ...
Robert Schlarb
3high standards
Monica Sandor


  

Answers


11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
placing the same strict demands on himself, he...


Explanation:
A suggestion

Philip Taylor
Local time: 14:08
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

13 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
He is equally demanding when it comes to quantity, preferring to discipline himself to 11...


Explanation:
"pieces" rather than sprading himself too thin

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2004-11-25 10:20:32 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

sprEading - sorry
These are just ideas to play with

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2004-11-25 10:50:13 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

he sets the same high standards of himself

CMJ_Trans (X)
Local time: 15:08
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  French Foodie: I like the idea of "sense of discipline"
19 mins
agree  David Vaughn: "Equally demanding" is perfect; but I'd prefer that he just "concentrates on" or "focusing his attention".
6 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
perfection or perfectionism


Explanation:
Exigence means strictness, demands or requirements. Here the sense seems to be someone who concentrates on the demands of the subject - thus someone who is striving for perfection or is a perfectionist, which is why they concentrate on a small number of works rather than cover the whole field.

Amanda Bracken
France
Local time: 15:08
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  RHELLER
4 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

35 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Giving careful attention to the demands of the task, ...


Explanation:
he prefers to focus on 11 ...

Robert Schlarb
Local time: 15:08
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in GermanGerman
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

43 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
high standards


Explanation:
Perhaps perfection being too strong (though I could see that working depending on what else is said before - "même souci" implies some reference has been made earlier in the text to his high standards/quest for perfection) one could say "Given these/his high standards, he preferred to concentrate on eleven pieces rather than spread himself too thin."
"Demanding" I find less apt, since it could have as much to do with demanding a lot of work from yourself, or long hours, or whatever, it doesn't necessarily refer to the high quality of the works themselves, in my view.

Monica Sandor
Belgium
Local time: 15:08
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search