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Nov 19, 2019 11:45
4 yrs ago
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French term

milieu émulatif

French to English Art/Literary Poetry & Literature
The context is a letter of recommendation for a historian's application for a grant. The writer concludes the letter:

"Les conditions optimales fournies par cette bourse et le milieu émulatif du Centre d'Études permettraient - j'en suis persuadé - des aboutissements de grande profondeur et originalité".

My working translation for "milieu émulatif" is "inspiring environment", but I'm not convinced I've captured the sense of "émulatif" (a word which appears to be rather rare).

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Proposed translations (English)
4 +4 stimulating environment
4 competitive environment
3 keen spirit of excellence | iron sharpens iron

Discussion

Yvonne Gallagher Nov 19, 2019:
@ Helen Thanks. Appreciate your input. I might as well post it
Helen Shiner Nov 19, 2019:
@Yvonne I would agree with ‘stimulating’. It is about fostering students to reach their highest potential as part of academic exchange.
Wolf Draeger Nov 19, 2019:
Puny pun! Hulk smash! Yeah, it is a bit of a stretch & on the hoof, but if it's the same writer, you never know :-)
Yvonne Gallagher Nov 19, 2019:
@Wolf LOL You sure pick out the puns! Rather farfetched or forced here though?
Yvonne Gallagher Nov 19, 2019:
@ Asker the word is not used much but can mean competitive in the sense that everyone wants to equal or surpass each other. I think "inspiring" or perhaps "competitively-stimulating environment" is probably the best bet here. (High-achieving students)
Wolf Draeger Nov 19, 2019:
@Asker Is this part of the same text on artistic depictions of horses? Because then the word could be a pun on mule.

Proposed translations

+4
1 hr
Selected

stimulating environment

as per discussion

or competitively-stimulating

Basically inspiring students to be high achievers and reach their full potential
Peer comment(s):
agree Helen Shiner : As per discussion entry.
0 min
Many thanks:-)
agree philgoddard : I think this has to be the meaning, though it's an odd choice of word - perhaps the writer is being pretentious.
1 hr
Thanks:-)
agree Stephanie Benoist : "Pretentious, moi? hahahahaha" (Fawlty Towers!)
1 hr
Thanks:-) (LOL)
agree Cyril Tollari
1 day 6 hrs
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks for your help!"
1 hr

keen spirit of excellence | iron sharpens iron

Émulation/émule means something like outdo but not beat; recognize, be motivated by and seek to improve on the achievements of peers/others without rivalry or antagonism. Perhaps "excellence" captures that?

On the off chance there is an obscure horsey pun, how about a wording with "iron sharpens iron" (the metaphorical iron being robust, original thought with the play being on the iron horseshoes are made of and the informal term for stirrups)?
Example sentence:

I have no doubt that the ideal conditions provided by this grant and the keen spirit of excellence that pervades X will result in outcomes of great merit and originality.

I have no doubt that the ideal conditions provided by this grant and the iron sharpens iron ethos of X will result in outcomes of great merit and originality.

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8 hrs

competitive environment

Competitive in a way that is not fiercely trying to win, but stimulating in order to succeed.
Something went wrong...
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