Contrefiche

English translation: Strut

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:Contrefiche
English translation:Strut
Entered by: B D Finch

16:45 Sep 13, 2020
French to English translations [PRO]
Architecture
French term or phrase: Contrefiche
This is from a description of the hayloft in an old farmstead (part of a tourist guide).

There is a glossary that defines "Contrefiche" as a "pièce de charpente servant d’appui à la panne faîtière. Visible de l’extérieur, elle est souvent décorée de motifs religieux ou d’inscriptions."

The passage from the text itself reads:

"La charpente du fenil est remarquable et présente des contrefiches* sculptées où l’on peut lire : « Maison faite par François Million, le 26 juin 1832 » ; « Dieu bénisse cette maison en toute saison » ; ou encore « Maison faite par Genidet de Megève », du nom du charpentier qui offrit sa contrefiche. À l’origine, la toiture était couverte d’ancelles*."

I was originally going to use "brace", but I'm wondering if there is a more specific way of translating this particular feature? Thanks in advance!
Sarah Day
Local time: 12:16
Strut
Explanation:
This sort of term is very specific in English, so it is important to use the correct one. If the timber your text is describing is the one shown as a "contrefiche" in the first reference drawing below, then the correct translation is "strut" (not "brace" or the other alternatives suggested in the Discussion).

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Voca_et_...
https://bmroofers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/King-post...
https://www.diydata.com/general_building/roof_construction/c...
Selected response from:

B D Finch
France
Local time: 13:16
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +3Strut
B D Finch
3ridge brace
Bourth
3 -3counterfeit (copy)
Lisa Rosengard


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


22 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
Strut


Explanation:
This sort of term is very specific in English, so it is important to use the correct one. If the timber your text is describing is the one shown as a "contrefiche" in the first reference drawing below, then the correct translation is "strut" (not "brace" or the other alternatives suggested in the Discussion).

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Voca_et_...
https://bmroofers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/King-post...
https://www.diydata.com/general_building/roof_construction/c...

B D Finch
France
Local time: 13:16
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 163
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks! I had actually written strut first off and then doubted myself!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tony M
13 mins
  -> Thanks Tony

agree  Suzie Withers
3 hrs
  -> Thanks Suzie

agree  Yvonne Gallagher
7 hrs
  -> Thanks Yvonne
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10 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): -3
counterfeit (copy)


Explanation:
A place or a room in a supported frame which is often decorated with religious inscriptions is described.
"The hay-loft frame is remarkable and presents sculptured counterfeits, which can be read. .. The roof was covered with rattles or eyelets (small holes). "

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Note added at 2 days 6 hrs (2020-09-15 23:12:07 GMT) Post-grading
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'conrtefiche' is 'counterfeit' or 'copy' (forged, forgery, forge)
'contrefaçon' is 'counterfeiting'
www.Deepltranslator.com

Lisa Rosengard
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:16
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 2

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Tony M: Complete nonsense in relation to the context given.
2 hrs

disagree  SafeTex: You're confusing "contrefiche" with "contrafaçon".
5 hrs

disagree  Yvonne Gallagher: How does this fit context?
19 hrs
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999 days   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
ridge brace


Explanation:
As described - "pièce de charpente servant d’appui à la panne faîtière (and presumably attached at the other end to the poinçon (kingpost)) - this 'contrefiche' n'en est pas une, I think. Rather, it seems to me, it is a misnamed lien de faitage. Only a photo will really tell, so medium confidence only.

A contrefiche is in the plane of a truss. It can run between the poinçon and an arbalétrier, in which case it is a 'strut', or between the entrait and an arbalétrier, in which case it is a 'truss web' (see images).

A lien de faitage, on the other hand, is in a plane at right angles to the truss, i.e. in the same direction as the ridge beam and purlins. And it is known as a 'wind brace' (confusing, since wind braces can be found in many locations) or, more precisely in my opinion, a 'ridge brace'.

In your case, this ridge brace is associated with the hay loft. Not only that, it is visible from the outside of the building. I therefore assume the eaves of the roof project a sufficient distance beyond the gable wall to both afford good protection from the elements AND to require bracing.


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Note added at 999 days (2023-06-10 14:31:47 GMT) Post-grading
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Bourth
France
Local time: 13:16
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 23
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