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. Automation & Robotics

en défaut

English translation: in fault condition / mode / status

20:07 Oct 12, 2005
French to English translations [PRO]
Tech/Engineering - Automation & Robotics
French term or phrase: en défaut
From an operator's manual. I have the French document which contains screen grabs that have already been translated into English - they translate "en défaut" as "in default" but I'm far from convinced that this is the right term - what do you technically-minded peeps think ? As in:
"esclave en défaut", "station en défaut", "appareil en défaut"
Thanks in advance
Clair Pickworth
France
Local time: 09:21
English translation:in fault condition / mode / status
Explanation:
I agree with you, I think they mean that it is showing 'fault' --- the exact translation will depend on precisely how it is being used.

Or you might find 'failure' more appropriate...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 mins (2005-10-12 20:12:38 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

We probably wouldn't express it like this in English, using 'in'. In terms of error messages, for example, you might like to consider something like:

Slave: failed / faulty / defect
Selected response from:

Tony M
France
Local time: 09:21
Grading comment
Great Dusty, I can always count of you for these technical questions ! Thank you !
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +3in fault condition / mode / status
Tony M
4 +2in could of course be "in default mode"
CMJ_Trans (X)
4defective
Jane Lamb-Ruiz (X)
4fault OR error [status or mode]
Deborah Workman
1 -1in absence of
Diana Donzelli-Gaudet


  

Answers


2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 1/5Answerer confidence 1/5 peer agreement (net): -1
en défaut
in absence of


Explanation:
?

Diana Donzelli-Gaudet
Local time: 09:21
Native speaker of: Native in ItalianItalian, Native in FrenchFrench

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Tony M: In view of Asker's given context, and the specific word order used, I feel this is highly unlikely
3 mins
  -> Thanks, Dusty!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
en défaut
in fault condition / mode / status


Explanation:
I agree with you, I think they mean that it is showing 'fault' --- the exact translation will depend on precisely how it is being used.

Or you might find 'failure' more appropriate...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 mins (2005-10-12 20:12:38 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

We probably wouldn't express it like this in English, using 'in'. In terms of error messages, for example, you might like to consider something like:

Slave: failed / faulty / defect


Tony M
France
Local time: 09:21
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 33
Grading comment
Great Dusty, I can always count of you for these technical questions ! Thank you !

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Richard Hedger: most plausible
44 mins
  -> Thanks, Richard!
agree  Bourth (X): Indeed. Not by any means necessarily a case for one-on-one translation.
1 hr
  -> Thanks, Alex!
agree  Sara Freitas
12 hrs
  -> Thanks, Sara!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

17 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
in could of course be "in default mode"


Explanation:
i.e. the status it adopts when it is not specifically programmed otherwise.
Would need more context to be sure one way or the other

CMJ_Trans (X)
Local time: 09:21
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Sylvia Smith: yes, default mode
10 hrs
agree  Tony M: Yes, indeed, with the little context given, that certainly can't be ruled out!
10 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

52 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
en défaut
defective


Explanation:
that is not working properly as in these examples:

contain defective slave pistons. There is a potential for severe engine damage
... defective slave pistons are not replaced. After inspection of the slave ...


www.jakebrake.com/pdf/sle491r.pdf - Similar pages

AS-Interface | The System | Safety at Work | Maintenance
In case of a defective slave you take an identical substitute slave. The safety
monitor accepts this as a substitute and internally adjusts to the new code ...
www.as-interface.net/System/Safety/Maintenance - 10k - Cached - Similar pages

CLUTCH SERVICE, Larry Carley, ImportCar, October 2002
A clutch that won’t release may have a misadjusted linkage, a broken or stretched
release cable, a leaky or defective slave or master clutch cylinder, ...
www.babcox.com/editorial/ic/ic100237.htm - 15k - Cached - Similar pages



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 54 mins (2005-10-12 21:01:52 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

It can mean two things:
the part or element is Defective
or
The part of element is set to Default mode

so it depends on context...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 54 mins (2005-10-12 21:02:27 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

The part or elements is set to Default mode

Jane Lamb-Ruiz (X)
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in PortuguesePortuguese
PRO pts in category: 4
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
en défaut
fault OR error [status or mode]


Explanation:
I've had the reverse situation, where a screenshot showed "FAULT" or "ERROR" in a column marked "STATUS" and the desired translation was "en défaut". The translation is in notes, though, because the user actually works with the screen that says "FAULT" or "ERROR" in my case or, possibly" "EN DÉFAUT" in yours.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr 25 mins (2005-10-12 21:33:07 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Slave fault, station fault, device fault ....

Grid Connect - Factory communications for devicenet, profibus ...
... Data and power, EMI resistant, 31 slaves with 4 in and 4 out, Master/slave
with cyclic polling, Manchester Code, hamming-2, Slave fault, device fault ...
www.synergetic.com/compare.htm - 53k - Cached - Similar pages

OR Slave error, station error, equipment error ....

MySQL Forums :: Replication :: Re: Grant Replication Slave Error...
Grant Replication Slave Error... 29, denpsia, 09/28/05 02:01AM. Re: Grant
Replication Slave Error... 16, KimSeong Loh, 09/29/05 02:14AM ...
forums.mysql.com/read.php?26,46662,46841 - 10k - Cached - Similar pages

You might also use "FAILURE", but I'd say only if the equipment is actually not in service. A fault or an error may not take the equipment out of service it may just affect the service the equipment delivers.

ata1-slave: FAILURE - ATAPI_IDENTIFY timed out - fixed yet? - news ...
ata1-slave: FAILURE - ATAPI_IDENTIFY timed out - fixed yet? [freebsd.current]. Subject:
ata1-slave: FAILURE - ATAPI_IDENTIFY timed out - fixed yet? ...
news.gw.com/freebsd.current/75349 - 3k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages



Deborah Workman
United States
Local time: 03:21
Native speaker of: English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: In the example you quote, 'failure' means that it has not been successful, and NOT that the equipment is broken! In computer-speak, 'failure' often simply means 'haven't succeeded'
9 hrs
  -> I figured if it needed "fixing" it was "broken". I acknowledge that there's not always a clean distinction, however. I encounter "fault" and "error" more in computer printouts, but all three terms are used, of course, as your examples and mine show.
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