Glossary entry (derived from question below)
French term or phrase:
petit boulot
English translation:
unskilled / low-skilled / low-paid / menial / dead-end job
Added to glossary by
Tony M
Nov 12, 2014 15:37
9 yrs ago
5 viewers *
French term
United Kingdom
Style – accuracy – customer focus
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, French to English, Italian to English, and 1 more.
petit boulot
French to English
Bus/Financial
Human Resources
This is from the subtitles of a documentary I'm translating on youth unemployment in France. The meaning is clear but it's hard to come up with a short English term that exactly equates to it in this context.
Basically, it means the opposite of a 'proper job', i.e. a long-term position that matches the graduates' qualifications. I've been using 'casual work', but that's not quite the same. The English term needs to be very brief because of the space restrictions in the subtitle. I'll stick with 'casual work', faute de mieux... ;-)
Certains sont diplômés,
bac plus 5, et d'autres pas.
Entre *petits boulots,*
stages et formations,
nous avons suivi
leur recherche d'emploi.
"5 ans d'études"#
#pour travailler#
#comme homme de ménage.#
#Guillaume a pris ce *petit boulot*#
#après 16 mois de chômage,#
#faute de trouver dans son secteur.#
#Nous avons rencontré#
#cette jeunesse sans perspectives,#
#comme Guillaume et Juliette,#
#bac plus 5#
#condamnés aux *petits boulots.*#
#Avec le temps qui passe,#
#Juliette a dû se résigner,#
#elle aussi,#
#à prendre un *petit boulot.*#
#De la garde d'enfants#
#pour 1 000 euros par mois.#
etc. etc.
Thanks in advance!
Basically, it means the opposite of a 'proper job', i.e. a long-term position that matches the graduates' qualifications. I've been using 'casual work', but that's not quite the same. The English term needs to be very brief because of the space restrictions in the subtitle. I'll stick with 'casual work', faute de mieux... ;-)
Certains sont diplômés,
bac plus 5, et d'autres pas.
Entre *petits boulots,*
stages et formations,
nous avons suivi
leur recherche d'emploi.
"5 ans d'études"#
#pour travailler#
#comme homme de ménage.#
#Guillaume a pris ce *petit boulot*#
#après 16 mois de chômage,#
#faute de trouver dans son secteur.#
#Nous avons rencontré#
#cette jeunesse sans perspectives,#
#comme Guillaume et Juliette,#
#bac plus 5#
#condamnés aux *petits boulots.*#
#Avec le temps qui passe,#
#Juliette a dû se résigner,#
#elle aussi,#
#à prendre un *petit boulot.*#
#De la garde d'enfants#
#pour 1 000 euros par mois.#
etc. etc.
Thanks in advance!
Proposed translations
(English)
Change log
Nov 14, 2014 04:26: Emanuela Galdelli changed "Term asked" from "petit boulot [here]" to "petit boulot"
Nov 17, 2014 08:54: Tony M changed "Edited KOG entry" from "<a href="/profile/49439">Dr Andrew Read's</a> old entry - "petit boulot"" to ""unskilled / low-paid / menial / dead-end job""
Proposed translations
25 mins
Selected
unskilled / low-paid job
I think CJ's suggestion is fine, but just wanted to throw these two other ideas into the melting pot — not least, to help you ring the changes!
I was also going to suggest 'lowly job', but I think that has a quaintly archaic ring to it these days which would be out of place in your context.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 heures (2014-11-12 19:41:53 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
From the widely diverging opinions we have seen here, it is clear that it is quite difficult to sum up what the notion of 'petit boulot' conveys — and it is clear that it is also highly context dependent.
It is almost easier to say what it isn't!
There is nothing inherent in a 'petit boulot' that qualifies its duration — it may be a short-term / temporary / mission-based job; but equally, it may not be.
It is certainly not going to be an executive post, nor even probably 'managerial' in any meaningful sense of the word.
And it is not likely to involve a high level of skill / qualification (at least according to certain criteria).
We already know that in Asker's specific context, we are looking at low-paid work, relatively 'menial' work, and work that is below the qualification / skill level of the people who find themselves obliged to take it.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 heures (2014-11-12 19:53:44 GMT)
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The context given mentions specifically child-minding and housework; now although child-minding is of course a very reponsible and highly-regulated activity, it hardly demands a very high level of 'skill' — it's the sort of job done by students or unemployed people while looking for soemthing more in line with their qualifications.
Likewise housework — while not for a moment denigrating the conscientious hard work performed by people in these jobs, which are very important, it is hardly considered a highly skilled occupation, on the scale of brain-surgeons and aeronautical engineers.
In short, most of these jobs involve what might be referred to as 'main d'œuvre', the level of 'ouvrier' — 'blue-collar' workers in EN.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 jours2 heures (2014-11-14 17:45:40 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Despite the dissenting voices, I think Karen has come up with a good solution with her suggestion of 'low-skilled'.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 jours (2014-11-17 08:54:15 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------
It is clear from all the invaluable input from our native-speaking colleagues that this 'petit' term covers quite a wide range of employment possibilities, which can only really be summed up by native-speaker 'feel'; however, to define such a 'feeling' in an exhaustive manner would require an encylopædic-length article (as we begin to see from all the differing opinions expressed here), while Asker's subtitle context clearly demands extreme brevity.
It seems to me, from the context given, that we are talking about people who are obliged to accept low-paid jobs that do not make full use of the skills in which they are trained — in this particular context, no emphasis appears to be being placed on the temporary (or otherwise) nature of the jobs, nor their status, number of hours, precarity, etc.
So while I totally agree with Writeaway's point that my own and indeed most other suggestions here do not in any way sum up the TOTALITY of what the notion of 'petit boulot' co,njures up to a native speaker of FR, I think it is overly harsh for colleagues to 'disagree' on the basis of criteria that may after all apply in some circumstance, and that are wholly pertinent to the specific context here.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 jours (2014-11-17 08:58:14 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------
It is also clear that the term is being used in a colloquial, informal way here in this narration for a documentary for what would appear to be a g/p audience, and so not with the precision of meaning with which it might be used in, say, a formal document from the Employment Service — as some commenters have sought to interpret it.
I was also going to suggest 'lowly job', but I think that has a quaintly archaic ring to it these days which would be out of place in your context.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 heures (2014-11-12 19:41:53 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
From the widely diverging opinions we have seen here, it is clear that it is quite difficult to sum up what the notion of 'petit boulot' conveys — and it is clear that it is also highly context dependent.
It is almost easier to say what it isn't!
There is nothing inherent in a 'petit boulot' that qualifies its duration — it may be a short-term / temporary / mission-based job; but equally, it may not be.
It is certainly not going to be an executive post, nor even probably 'managerial' in any meaningful sense of the word.
And it is not likely to involve a high level of skill / qualification (at least according to certain criteria).
We already know that in Asker's specific context, we are looking at low-paid work, relatively 'menial' work, and work that is below the qualification / skill level of the people who find themselves obliged to take it.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 heures (2014-11-12 19:53:44 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
The context given mentions specifically child-minding and housework; now although child-minding is of course a very reponsible and highly-regulated activity, it hardly demands a very high level of 'skill' — it's the sort of job done by students or unemployed people while looking for soemthing more in line with their qualifications.
Likewise housework — while not for a moment denigrating the conscientious hard work performed by people in these jobs, which are very important, it is hardly considered a highly skilled occupation, on the scale of brain-surgeons and aeronautical engineers.
In short, most of these jobs involve what might be referred to as 'main d'œuvre', the level of 'ouvrier' — 'blue-collar' workers in EN.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 jours2 heures (2014-11-14 17:45:40 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Despite the dissenting voices, I think Karen has come up with a good solution with her suggestion of 'low-skilled'.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 jours (2014-11-17 08:54:15 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------
It is clear from all the invaluable input from our native-speaking colleagues that this 'petit' term covers quite a wide range of employment possibilities, which can only really be summed up by native-speaker 'feel'; however, to define such a 'feeling' in an exhaustive manner would require an encylopædic-length article (as we begin to see from all the differing opinions expressed here), while Asker's subtitle context clearly demands extreme brevity.
It seems to me, from the context given, that we are talking about people who are obliged to accept low-paid jobs that do not make full use of the skills in which they are trained — in this particular context, no emphasis appears to be being placed on the temporary (or otherwise) nature of the jobs, nor their status, number of hours, precarity, etc.
So while I totally agree with Writeaway's point that my own and indeed most other suggestions here do not in any way sum up the TOTALITY of what the notion of 'petit boulot' co,njures up to a native speaker of FR, I think it is overly harsh for colleagues to 'disagree' on the basis of criteria that may after all apply in some circumstance, and that are wholly pertinent to the specific context here.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 jours (2014-11-17 08:58:14 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------
It is also clear that the term is being used in a colloquial, informal way here in this narration for a documentary for what would appear to be a g/p audience, and so not with the precision of meaning with which it might be used in, say, a formal document from the Employment Service — as some commenters have sought to interpret it.
Peer comment(s):
| disagree |
writeaway
: not necessarily. /as "the" translation I must object. It's not what the French term is about. It may or may not be part of it on occasion but again, as "the" translation, no. I don't agree at all.
2 hrs
|
|
Certainly no-one is talking here about "the" translation — but even you don't disagree that this could be "a" translation; it is impossible to sum up in a brief subtitle all that the cultural notion of this term encompases, Asker has chosen a compromise.
|
|
| disagree |
mchd
: "unskilled" ne convient pas du tout : des ingénieurs prennent des "petits boulots". "Low-paid" n'est pas non plus un critère dans les "petits boulots"/relisez bien le texte, il n'est nulle part question de "unskilled end of the market", bien au contraire.
2 hrs
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I think we are trying to find a concise expression that sums up the general idea; Asker's own context already emphasizes the low-paid, and the context makes it clear here we are talking about the unskilled end of the market.
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|
| agree |
Karen Vincent-Jones (X)
: I think 'low-skilled' works well.
2 days 1 hr
|
|
Thanks, Karen! Yes, indeed, especially as in this particular context, they seem to be disucssing the fact that the people are over-skilled for the jobs they are doing.
|
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| agree |
Karen Stokes
2 days 2 hrs
|
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Thanks, Karen!
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Because of the specific context and the examples given in the documentary, both Tony's suggestions and B D Finch's were just what I needed here.
Tony gets the points as he answered more quickly!
Both Tony and B D gave very good explanations in response to disagreements, of why their suggested translation were appropriate in this context.
Thanks to everyone here for helping me do a good job on this translation!"
11 mins
French term (edited):
petit boulot [here]
odd jobs
This is pretty colloquial, and short
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Tony M
: The trouble is, though, that (at least in the UK), 'odd jobs' tends to mean bits of 'bricolage' etc., which may not be quite what is meant here. / I don't see child-minding or house-cleaning as 'odd jobs'.
8 mins
|
+1
10 mins
French term (edited):
petit boulot [here]
odd jobs
Not sure that this fits all kinds of 'petit boulot' hence the low confidence level
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 12 mins (2014-11-12 15:50:19 GMT)
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But it is brief, as requested!
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 12 mins (2014-11-12 15:50:19 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
But it is brief, as requested!
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Tony M
: The trouble is, though, that (at least in the UK), 'odd jobs' tends to mean bits of 'bricolage' etc., which may not be quite what is meant here.
9 mins
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Yes, that's why I said it doesn't fit all kinds of petit boulot!
|
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| agree |
Irene Chalmers Preire
17 hrs
|
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Thank you!
|
+1
5 mins
cjohnstone
France
France
Native in French
&
English
Works in field
France
Experience and feel
Native in: French 
, English (Variant: British)
Works in: English to French, French to English
Related KudoZ points
:
4
French term (edited):
petit boulot [here]
occasional jobs
no better suggestion, but sems to fit
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 36 mins (2014-11-12 16:14:41 GMT)
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I am puzzled by the "subtitling" comment...
Was an idea.. where is the subtitling? or else give me a sound definition of "subtitling" must be missing in my language panel.
As to the sounding right, it is such a subjective thing that ... all of us together can turn "subjective" ino "vaguely objective"If not, bad luck
But please explain subtitling!!!! New to me apart from films and TV
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 36 mins (2014-11-12 16:14:41 GMT)
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I am puzzled by the "subtitling" comment...
Was an idea.. where is the subtitling? or else give me a sound definition of "subtitling" must be missing in my language panel.
As to the sounding right, it is such a subjective thing that ... all of us together can turn "subjective" ino "vaguely objective"If not, bad luck
But please explain subtitling!!!! New to me apart from films and TV
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Tony M
: I think this is the best solution — sounds absolutely fine to me, and by no means too long for a subtitle, if the rest is well thought out.
13 mins
|
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thks
|
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| disagree |
merlrennes
: It does not sound right. This is subtitling
21 mins
|
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sorry, if wrong but I do not grasp the "subtitling " bit
|
|
| agree |
writeaway
2 hrs
|
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thks
|
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| agree |
Anne Bohy
3 hrs
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thks
|
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| disagree |
MatthewLaSon
: Hello. In a casual conversation subtitle, you wouldn't say "He got an occasional job." No one talks like that in everyday conversation. The word you're using is something you'd see in a more "job description" context. Have a nice day.
1 day 1 hr
|
-1
1 hr
French term (edited):
petit boulot [here]
makeshift job
Sounds OKto me. And only one more character than petit boulot.
Peer comment(s):
| disagree |
Tony M
: That sounds like the result of some bad 'bricolage', but not to me a valid description of a type of employment.
57 mins
|
1 hr
French term (edited):
petit boulot [here]
temp(orary) job
Usually low -paid and without benefits, these days performed by high skilled employees...
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2014-11-12 17:52:58 GMT)
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Pardon-highly
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2014-11-12 17:52:58 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Pardon-highly
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Tony M
: Although it could well be the case, this amounts to over-interpretation, and really changes the whole tone of the text.
33 mins
|
| neutral |
B D Finch
: True for many, but far from all temp jobs. Some are skilled and well paid to compensate for the lack of benefits, e.g. some high-level PA temps..
3 hrs
|
|
Yes, you are right, this isn't the right term... As you said-they can be well paid...
|
+1
3 hrs
Rachel Fell
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
United Kingdom
Thorough, knowledgeable and resourceful
Native in: English (Variant: UK) 
Works in: French to English, Spanish to English, Italian to English, and 4 more.
French term (edited):
petit boulot [here]
short-term work
Youth unemployment: the crisis we cannot afford - University ...
www.bristol.ac.uk/cmpo/publications/other/youthunemployment...
But the true scale of the costs of youth unemployment is not well known ...... choose to enter employment with training at age 16, and includes: short-term work.
The Challenges of Youth Unemployment in Portugal Against ...
www.social-europe.eu › Blogs
23 Nov 2012 - The most heavily hit by job losses were the youths with lower education. Temporary employment (temporary and short term work) has been ...
Closer working to tackle youth unemployment - TUC
www.tuc.org.uk/...issues/.../closer-working-tackle-youth-un...
9 Jul 2012 - One in five young people are not in work or education and long-term ... or in our early 20s, short-term work experience can be a good 'taster'.
[PDF]Read our Youth unemployment report - Affinity Sutton
www.affinitysutton.com/.../youth-unemployment-in-their-own-...
to a number of young Affinity Sutton residents who have ... Is there a typical face of youth unemployment? .... “give them a chance” in short term work trials, as...
www.bristol.ac.uk/cmpo/publications/other/youthunemployment...
But the true scale of the costs of youth unemployment is not well known ...... choose to enter employment with training at age 16, and includes: short-term work.
The Challenges of Youth Unemployment in Portugal Against ...
www.social-europe.eu › Blogs
23 Nov 2012 - The most heavily hit by job losses were the youths with lower education. Temporary employment (temporary and short term work) has been ...
Closer working to tackle youth unemployment - TUC
www.tuc.org.uk/...issues/.../closer-working-tackle-youth-un...
9 Jul 2012 - One in five young people are not in work or education and long-term ... or in our early 20s, short-term work experience can be a good 'taster'.
[PDF]Read our Youth unemployment report - Affinity Sutton
www.affinitysutton.com/.../youth-unemployment-in-their-own-...
to a number of young Affinity Sutton residents who have ... Is there a typical face of youth unemployment? .... “give them a chance” in short term work trials, as...
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Tony M
: Like so many other answers: it MIGHT be this — but not necessarily! It could equally well be a CDI, albeit in a crappy job; so anything this specific risks over-interpretation.
20 mins
|
|
yep, maybe - it suggests jobs with little future or permanence rather than a dead-end one - thanks Tony
|
|
| agree |
writeaway
: well at least it isn't over-interpreted with judgmental terms. it's something about the frequency/length of the job imo. not on whether it's to be poo-pooed or looked down on.
2 hrs
|
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\thank you writeaway :-)
|
+1
4 hrs
Francis Marche
France
France
Native in French
&
English
France
36 years experience on 4 continents
Native in: French , English
Works in: English to French, French to English
Related KudoZ points
:
5
French term (edited):
petit boulot [here]
contingent work / casual work
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contingent_work
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 hrs (2014-11-12 19:54:46 GMT)
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This may include "piges" (in the public relation/communication industry), hence not necessarily "menial" or even "low-paid".
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 hrs (2014-11-12 19:54:46 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
This may include "piges" (in the public relation/communication industry), hence not necessarily "menial" or even "low-paid".
6 hrs
Jennifer Levey
Chile
Chile
Native in English
Chile
Human-scale Globalization
Native in: English (Variant: British)
Works in: Spanish to English, French to English, English to Spanish, and 2 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
44
'pocket money' jobs
Give "pocket money jobs" or "pocket money jobs for students" a spin on G and see what comes up.
1 hr
French term (edited):
petit boulot [here]
menial, dead-end job
gotoanswer.stanford.edu/all_your_questions_answered-8653049/
It said I should forget school and get a menial, deadend job. I guess it's time to go pick up a McDonald's application.
www.peckhamplex.com/.../gangsters-paradise---jerusalema-fil...
However, working a menial, dead end job, was never an option for this ambitious, talented and impatient young man
forums.theregister.co.uk/forum/1/2013/.../graduate_jobs_dissatisfaction/
8 Apr 2013 - 47 posts - 32 authors
... out of the IT field and accepted a menial dead end job for a little above minimum wage to stay alive, and pay off those insane student loans.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2014-11-12 17:39:03 GMT)
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But look on the bright side:
www.matthardwick.com › Matt Hardwick Forum › Main Forum
... to make you feel better about pissing your life away and still ending up in a menial dead end job. Forklift drivers make more than teachers.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 17 hrs (2014-11-13 08:56:41 GMT)
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For anyone who had difficulty looking up the word "menial" in a dictionary: it means low-status, low-skill work, "befitting servants" to quote Collins Dictionary.
It said I should forget school and get a menial, deadend job. I guess it's time to go pick up a McDonald's application.
www.peckhamplex.com/.../gangsters-paradise---jerusalema-fil...
However, working a menial, dead end job, was never an option for this ambitious, talented and impatient young man
forums.theregister.co.uk/forum/1/2013/.../graduate_jobs_dissatisfaction/
8 Apr 2013 - 47 posts - 32 authors
... out of the IT field and accepted a menial dead end job for a little above minimum wage to stay alive, and pay off those insane student loans.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2014-11-12 17:39:03 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
But look on the bright side:
www.matthardwick.com › Matt Hardwick Forum › Main Forum
... to make you feel better about pissing your life away and still ending up in a menial dead end job. Forklift drivers make more than teachers.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 17 hrs (2014-11-13 08:56:41 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
For anyone who had difficulty looking up the word "menial" in a dictionary: it means low-status, low-skill work, "befitting servants" to quote Collins Dictionary.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Tony M
27 mins
|
|
Thanks Tony
|
|
| neutral |
writeaway
: maybe ok for menial (too judgmental imo) but dead-end definitely not. smacks of over-translation
52 mins
|
|
These are jobs that will not lead to a career in a field or at a level that matches their quals, so I think that justifies "dead-end".
|
|
| disagree |
Francis Marche
: "Menial" is irrelevant. A forklifter can have a stable, permanent position with "statut" (social security, retirement benefits, protected by "conventions collectives", etc.).// Precisely and that's why it's irrelevant!
13 hrs
|
|
Before disagreeing, you should have looked up the definition of "menial"! It has nothing to do with temporary or lack of social security etc.
|
+1
2 hrs
French term (edited):
petit boulot [here]
got an "any old" job
Hello,
It's not about it being short-term or long-term, necessarily. It does imply that you won't be making that much money. It's not career, or skilled-trade work.
Best of luck!
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 days3 hrs (2014-11-14 19:34:32 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
This sort of proves that this is the idea:
http://fr.wiktionary.org/wiki/petit_boulot
It's not about it being short-term or long-term, necessarily. It does imply that you won't be making that much money. It's not career, or skilled-trade work.
Best of luck!
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 days3 hrs (2014-11-14 19:34:32 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
This sort of proves that this is the idea:
http://fr.wiktionary.org/wiki/petit_boulot
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Tony M
: Agree with your explanation, though I think this could be quite hard to work into Asker's subtitle context.
1 hr
|
|
Thank you, Tony! I'd just say something like "just took any old job."
|
|
| agree |
nweatherdon
: I think that's more like what people would say orally in the same situation. Q: What kind of work? A: Whatever; any old job; anything
2 hrs
|
|
Thank you, njweatherdon! I appreciate it.
|
|
| disagree |
writeaway
: so someone would say they take on 'any old job'? Like raking the leaves or shoveling snow? I don't think that is what meant by petit boulot in French.
2 days 17 mins
|
Discussion
.
A 'petit boulot' could certainly mean a full-time job with a proper contract (even a CDI), but just lowly work, low-paid, few prospects for advancement, unskilled...