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prendre un ris dans la grand-voile

Glossary entry

French term or phrase:

dans le poste avant

English translation:

in the forecastle/ fo\'c\'sle

Added to glossary by Carol Gullidge
Jun 10, 2012 11:01
11 yrs ago
1 viewer *
French term

dans le poste avant

French to English Art/Literary Ships, Sailing, Maritime parts of a schooner
L’oncle compréhensif envoya Gwendal, le teint vert pâle, se reposer ****dans le poste avant****, pendant que les autres prenaient un ris dans la grand-voile

_______

Googling reveals that this MIGHT be either "forward cabin" or "forepeak cabin", but, as a confirmed landlubber, I need help from proper sailing enthusiasts to confirm this. This is part of a "conte" in which the poor little ship's boy (Gwendal) - on his first ever voyage - has just thrown up over the side. He sleeps in the "post avante", and is also harbouring a stowaway in there. Would either of my tentative suggestions fit here, or is there something more suitable?

Any help would be much appreciated - many thanks!

PS, "dans la grand-voile" is to be a separate question
Proposed translations (English)
3 +4 forecastle

Discussion

Clive Phillips Jun 10, 2012:
Very worst place for... ...someone suffering mal de mer, especially if sailing close to the wind (though square-rigged schooners can't do that). Uncle sounds cruel rather than understanding!
Graham macLachlan Jun 10, 2012:
in the fo'c'sle where the smelly old folks all go ("fo'c'sle" and "folks all" rhyme)
Carol Gullidge (asker) Jun 10, 2012:
re epoque well, it isn't specified. However, it was in the days when 12-year-old boys could be shepherds in sole charge of a flock of sheep and when wolves roamed the Crozon Peninsula - and when the uncle had a schooner with which he carried out his illicit trading all over the European seas. The author publishes one story per year, and they are all "legends" - several of them featuring "Korrigans" - but some of them have been set in more modern times (windsurfing, etc). They have a particular purpose, and are all very imaginative -- and of course, great fun to translate!
Nikki Scott-Despaigne Jun 10, 2012:
What epoque is the setting for your story?
Forecastle is one correct option, but does suggest a traditional sail ship; forecabin would be a standard contemporary term for the same thing.

Proposed translations

+4
3 hrs
Selected

forecastle

Even if some sailing ships have no forecastle as such, the name is still used to indicate the foremost part of the upper deck – also called the foredeck – and for any crews quarters in the bow of the ship, even if below the main deck.

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Note added at 3 hrs (2012-06-10 14:38:05 GMT)
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Well, I think you're right, and obviously it deserves more, and a higher CR. But since this is not a field I am the best expert in, I prefer to have a prudent start, and to enjoy my proposal being upleveled !!!
Reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forecastle

Note from asker:
many thanks Michel! Although it's a bit much to hope for sailors to be available on a Sunday afternoon in June, you were one of those I hoped would be able to spring to my rescue (along with Graham, Miranda, and others). I'm a bit worried about your CR of 3 though...
Peer comment(s):
agree Nikki Scott-Despaigne : Aka "fo'c's'le" (dixit 'Guide des termes de marine' and 'Guide des gréements" by Le Chasse-Marée, also Oxford A-Z of Sailing Terms, the latter indicating the term is dying out as better design makes for better living accommodation on board.//Aye aye cap'n
1 hr
Thanks a lot, and right you are. "fo'c's'le" is also mentioned at the bottom of the Wikipedia I refer to !
agree Graham macLachlan
5 hrs
Merci
agree Clive Phillips
6 hrs
Merci
agree Cyril B.
10 hrs
Merci
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Super, many thanks Michel and all the peers whose comments were also helpful! I particularly like "in the fo'c'sle", as "take a rest in the fo'c'sle whilst the others took a reef in the mainsail" has a nice ring to it"
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