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échauffement cutané
transformateurs réducteurs de tension du poste 225 kV

Glossary entry

French term or phrase:

artisan (de cette révolution)

English translation:

driving force

Added to glossary by translator_15 (X)
Jan 20, 2009 14:04
15 yrs ago
2 viewers *
French term

artisan (de cette révolution)

French to English Tech/Engineering Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Le circuit intégré, *artisan de cette révolution*, est passé ainsi en un demi-siècle de quelques transistors par puce à un milliard de transistors sur la même puce.

I'm having trouble understanding the meaning of artisan in this context. Does it mean something like "originator", or am I barking up the wrong tree?

TIA!
Proposed translations (English)
3 +4 driving force
3 +2 which prompted/which sparked
5 catalyst/catalytic agent
5 prime mover/originator (of this revolution)
4 initiator
3 +1 engine/prime mover
4 the science or technology behind this revolution
4 spark that ignited this revolution
3 engineer
2 pioneer
Change log

Jan 20, 2009 20:04: Stéphanie Soudais changed "Field (specific)" from "Electronics / Elect Eng" to "Idioms / Maxims / Sayings"

Discussion

MatthewLaSon Jan 23, 2009:
the science behind I think that the "driving force" is best translated by "science behind the revolution". The "science" is what led to it.
Michael GREEN Jan 20, 2009:
If we're going to start rewriting the source text ... we'll never be finished ...!
Didier Martiny Jan 20, 2009:
artisan? Un objet (inanimé) ne peut pas être l'artisan de quelque chose. J'aurais préféré la "pierre angulaire".

Proposed translations

+4
14 mins
Selected

driving force

I don't think "artisan" is a very happy choice here, since the phrase seems to mean, "the generator/catalyst/force behind it".
I like Michael Lotz' suggestion (posted while I was typing this)

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Note added at 16 mins (2009-01-20 14:20:56 GMT)
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Actually I think I prefer "catalyst" to "driving force"

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Note added at 18 hrs (2009-01-21 08:06:47 GMT)
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Just a comment on style.
I would put the subject in the plural if I were translating this:
"Integrated circuits, which have been the driving force / have driven this revolution ..."
Peer comment(s):
agree Tony M : I think your 'driving force' is better than 'catalyst' (which means merely something that causes something else to happen, but without actually taking part itself.)
3 mins
Thanks Tony. Good point about "catalyst". It's just a word I'm rather fond of ... like "nonobstant" .../ now I'm going to watch the investiture ...
agree chris collister : If we're talking about motive force, I suggest "engine of this revolution"..../ OK, thanks
1 hr
Thanks Chris - something similar had crossed my mind, but it seemed too mechanical. Perhaps you could post it as an answer?
agree PRen (X) : Very nice
4 hrs
Thank you!
agree Euqinimod (X)
5 hrs
Thank you
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks everyone for your help. I decided to go with driving force, as it fit in nicely with the translation I already had. I agree it is stylistically often a good idea to replace French nouns with English verbs, but as I had another verb coming up in the second half of the sentence, using a noun in this situation seemed to fit well. Thanks to all :-)"
14 mins

initiator

/
Something went wrong...
15 mins

engineer

I thought of "seed" too...
Or you could just say "at the origin of"
Reference:

http://classicalliberalism.blogspot.com/2006/02/engineer-of-american-revolution.html

Something went wrong...
+2
19 mins

which prompted/which sparked

I wouldn't use a noun at all
Peer comment(s):
agree Michael GREEN : Yes - I think you're right. Wish I'd thought of that... // or (in response to Tony's point) "which drove/has driven this revolution..."
58 mins
agree Helen Shiner : Probably the best way forward, that or Michael's suggestion.
5 hrs
neutral Tony M : Yes, but the trouble is, ICs weren't just what started it; they've been part of it all the way along...
7 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 mins

pioneer

pioneer

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Note added at 4 mins (2009-01-20 14:09:53 GMT)
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leader

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Note added at 17 mins (2009-01-20 14:22:39 GMT)
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suggestion 2
the earliest model

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Note added at 24 mins (2009-01-20 14:29:02 GMT)
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suggestion 3
trigger

"percuteur"
Peer comment(s):
neutral Tony M : But ICs have really been more than just 'the first to go there', they have been the 'spinal column' of this revolution... / Michael has already offered an excellent suggestion, which I support.
14 mins
Thx but give a suggestion if ANY
Something went wrong...
+1
4 hrs

engine/prime mover

OK an artisan is usually a person, but I think the idea here is one of driving a revolution, eg "engine of change", or a "prime mover" driving a major event.
Peer comment(s):
agree Tony M : I like the idea of 'prime mover', it was the first thing that sprang to my mind too; but I still worry a bit about this being attributed to the actual ICs themselves...
4 hrs
Hmmm, I see your point. What about "workhorse"?
Something went wrong...
4 hrs

the science or technology behind this revolution

Hello,

I just think that "artisan" is simply the science behind this revolution/invention.

artisan = science or technology behind

I hope this helps.
Something went wrong...
4 hrs

catalyst/catalytic agent

catalyst/catalytic agent
Peer comment(s):
neutral Tony M : Trouble is, a 'catalyst' means merely something that causes something else to happen, but without actually taking part itself. / No, not in a context of catalysis
4 hrs
but "agent" doesn't mean anything fo you!
Something went wrong...
7 hrs

spark that ignited this revolution

With all dur apologies to Polyglot, but I think it's sufficiently different to warrant a separate answer.
Peer comment(s):
neutral Tony M : Yes, but the trouble is, ICs weren't just what 'ignited' it; they've been part of it all the way along...
1 hr
Yes, they're still there, everywhere in fact, but I don't think that prevents them being called the 'spark' - without the IC we wouldn't have much of what we depend on nowadays
Something went wrong...
15 hrs

prime mover/originator (of this revolution)

This IC, termed the 'artisan (de cette revolution), is the originator or the prime mover of this revolution which has made it possible to include increased number of transistors in the same space, as has been mentioned per inch, because of its new and innovative design.
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