assentament

07:55 Nov 24, 2005
This question was closed without grading. Reason: No acceptable answer

Catalan to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Social Science, Sociology, Ethics, etc. / Civil conduct
Catalan term or phrase: assentament
"Assentament" is used to describe the places in which immigrants and homeless people group together to sleep/live. I was thinking about something along the lines of "camp", but some of the "assentaments" are derelict houses/guardia civil HQs and I'm not sure if it works in that case.

TIA

Ruth
rek21
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:39


Summary of answers provided
4 +3squat (if illegal) / settlement (if legal or sort of)
Paul Roige (X)
3shanty towns
David Russell


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


7 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
shanty towns


Explanation:
Another possibility, if these are open air settlements.

David Russell
Spain
Local time: 18:39
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Grading comment
Thanks David, they are open-air settlements but more of the kind that Bernie is talking about below.
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The asker has declined this answer
Comment: Thanks David, they are open-air settlements but more of the kind that Bernie is talking about below.

40 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
squat (if illegal) / settlement (if legal or sort of)


Explanation:
Squat ("illegal occupation of a dwelling") may be an option, as they don't normally own or rent the place, derelict as it may be. Otherwise, if not illegal, "settlement" may be a better option, certainly as PC as "assentament". Heard of "colony" too, ouch.
HIH, cheers
Paul

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Note added at 13 hrs 22 mins (2005-11-24 21:17:48 GMT)
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Brainstorming. I sense we need more than just one word here. What about "street-dwelling"? Your sentence: "homeless people dwelling in public areas". Or "Homeless settlement", it has quite a bit of following too. Either way, PC enough :-)

Paul Roige (X)
Spain
Local time: 18:39
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish, Native in CatalanCatalan
Grading comment
Thanks, Paul. I used periphrasis/explanation in the end as I thought it was impossible, as you say, to cover the full meaning of "assentament" without resorting to the use of more than one word. I needed something a bit more temporary but thanks very much for your time and help.

Ruth

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  surfzone
10 mins

agree  Martin Perazzo
1 hr

agree  Sheila Hardie
1 hr

neutral  Berni Armstrong: Good choice, if the place is permanent, but if it is describing the kind of improvised cardboard city that grows up every night in certain areas, then they are not really squats.
6 hrs
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The asker has declined this answer
Comment: Thanks, Paul. I used periphrasis/explanation in the end as I thought it was impossible, as you say, to cover the full meaning of "assentament" without resorting to the use of more than one word. I needed something a bit more temporary but thanks very much for your time and help.

Ruth



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