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logique de milieu
capital constitué

Glossary entry

French term or phrase:

à géométrie variable

English translation:

variable geometry

Added to glossary by Anthony Lines (X)
Dec 9, 2008 18:15
15 yrs ago
6 viewers *
French term

à géométrie variable

French to English Other Military / Defense officer training
les échanges doivent effectivement être « à géométrie variable »

Talking about how exchanges between officer cadets from one country and another operate / could operate.

I get the idea here that it might mean that particular programmes might have to be provided for certain categories of cadets (when they can't speak the language for example).
Could it just mean "retain flexibility"?

Thanks for any suggestions.
Proposed translations (English)
4 +1 variable geometry
4 flexible
3 versatile
Change log

Dec 11, 2008 12:24: Anthony Lines (X) Created KOG entry

Discussion

Bourth (X) Dec 9, 2008:
Without context I'm tempted to think it might mean that while you might have a group of 6 on 6 at one point, you might have groups of 4 on 4 and 2 on 7 at some other point, etc., depending on reciprocal skills and numbers, etc.
Alain Pommet (asker) Dec 9, 2008:
Various meanings: If you look at how this phrase is used, it seems to have various meanings depending on the context - for example highlightling political double standards or talking about a large imbalance in the geopolitical make-up of Europe, as well as swing-wing aircraft.
http://www.agoravox.fr/article.php3?id_article=45608
http://www.diploweb.com/Une-Europe-a-geometrie-variable.html

So my question was really, what does it really mean here, and how can it be translated?

Proposed translations

+1
1 hr
Selected

variable geometry

Although this term is used to describe wings whose "sweep" can be varied, depending on the speed of the aircraft, it is common for officers in the armed forces and officer cadets to use such jargon to apply to everyday actions. Like most "jargon", it is designed to be understood only by those "in the know".

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Note added at 2 hrs (2008-12-09 20:41:07 GMT)
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As I have said in my neutral comment on jmleger's suggestion, it refers to extreme flexibility of response or reaction and would be understood in this context by servicemen.

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Note added at 2 hrs (2008-12-09 20:57:27 GMT)
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Alain, if you think that the text is for circulation outside the military, you may need to either explain its meaning or use a non-technical term such as "flexible", as suggested by jmleger. The choice is yours.
Note from asker:
Thanks for replying - Although you say it would be understood in military circles, do you think this would also be true of policy-makers and such like? I'm pretty sure that the text is not just intended for the armed forces.
Your comments are much appreciated - thanks!
Peer comment(s):
agree Bourth (X) : I think if the intended French readership is expected to understand the French, the intended English-language readership will be capable of understanding "variable geometry", no? Esp. within quote marks.
1 hr
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks to everyone - I went for this, though not fully convinced everyone would understand the meaning of 'imbalance' or 'flexibility'."
3 mins

flexible

I think that is what they mean... borrowing a term from military aviation.
Peer comment(s):
neutral Anthony Lines (X) : I agree that this is the meaning but think officer cadets would probably use the technical "variable geometry". I speak as an ex-RAF officer.
1 hr
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6 hrs

versatile

Hello,

I could be wrong, but I think that "à géométrie variable" means that exchanges must versatile. In other words, the exchanges that take place must be versatile to the situation at hand.

I thought of "multi-faceted", but then changed my mind to "versatile."

"With variable geometry" means that it can put into many different shapes.

I hope this helps.

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Note added at 6 hrs (2008-12-10 01:11:29 GMT)
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One has to be able to adapt one's verbal exchanges according to the given situation????

I'd need more context to know what it really being meant by "échanges."

Something went wrong...
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