spectacle de curiosité

English translation: light entertainment

12:38 Feb 2, 2011
French to English translations [PRO]
Marketing - Advertising / Public Relations
French term or phrase: spectacle de curiosité
A type of event organised by a marketing company that produces adverts and marketing literature based on its understanding of the story behind a brand. According to the company's Kbis, it organises "tous spectacles de curiosités ou de variétés". I'd be very grateful if anyone is able to help me with this.
Sarah Russell
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:05
English translation:light entertainment
Explanation:
From the many references I can see to "spectacles de curiosité", many of them legal texts relating to permission to put on different types of show, these seem to be opposed to "spectacles nobles", or more high-brow entertainment such as ballets, straight theatre, etc.

I don't think we have this legal difference in English speaking countries, but 'light entertainment' might cover it, depending on your full context.
Selected response from:

Evans (X)
Local time: 11:05
Grading comment
Thank you, much appreciated!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +5light entertainment
Evans (X)
4 +1novelty entertainment
MatthewLaSon
3Curiosity or variety shows
Gaurav Sharma
2variety acts
Jack Dunwell
2happenings / flash mobs / marketing stunts
Conor McAuley
Summary of reference entries provided
here's a definition...
Natasha Dupuy

Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


15 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +5
light entertainment


Explanation:
From the many references I can see to "spectacles de curiosité", many of them legal texts relating to permission to put on different types of show, these seem to be opposed to "spectacles nobles", or more high-brow entertainment such as ballets, straight theatre, etc.

I don't think we have this legal difference in English speaking countries, but 'light entertainment' might cover it, depending on your full context.

Evans (X)
Local time: 11:05
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 19
Grading comment
Thank you, much appreciated!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Natasha Dupuy: I think this is a pretty good solution!
17 mins
  -> thank you very much, Natasha!

agree  B D Finch
1 hr
  -> thank you, Barbara

agree  Philippa Smith
2 hrs
  -> thanks, Philippa

agree  Marian Vieyra
2 hrs
  -> thanks, Marian

agree  philgoddard: You could leave out "light" - it's obviously not going to be operas and ballets.
3 hrs
  -> but phil, surely you're not suggesting that operas and ballets aren't entertaining ;-). Thanks!
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16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
variety acts


Explanation:
A starter for 1!

I think (only think) this might cover circuses.

Jack Dunwell
France
Local time: 12:05
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
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20 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Curiosity or variety shows


Explanation:
Suggestion

Gaurav Sharma
India
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
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50 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
happenings / flash mobs / marketing stunts


Explanation:
This is what I think may be meant.

http://www.vaninadelobelle.com/Et-si-on-parlait-de-Happening...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_mob

"...commercial advertisement,..."

advertainment

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/159484-2

Just a few ideas.

Conor McAuley
France
Local time: 12:05
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 14
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4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
novelty entertainment


Explanation:
Hello,

To me, "spectacle" is more like "entertainment" here.

de curiosité (s) = novelty (which seems to make sense if you think about it)

de variété (s) = variety

So, then, you have "novelty and variety entertainment".

and novelty entertainment, including burlesque, carnival, circus,
street magic, ... But I'm getting awfully tired of all the mushy, ...
voices.washingtonpost.com/travellog/2007/01/21-week/


... Les spectacles de curiosité (forains, cirques, marionnettes, music-hall…). En la matière, c'est le maire qui délivre une autorisation ou la ...
www.needocs.com/.../Academique-Cours-Droit-Fiscalite-Les-li...


I hope this helps.

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Note added at 4 hrs (2011-02-02 17:13:49 GMT)
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Boston's BEST in novelty and variety entertainment! We provide on-site novelty products and live entertainment for college, corporate and private events in ...
www.linkedin.com/companies/fun-enterprises

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Note added at 4 hrs (2011-02-02 17:15:01 GMT)
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and novelty entertainment, including burlesque, carnival, circus,
street magic, ... But I'm getting awfully tired of all the mushy
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/travellog/2007/01/21-week/

MatthewLaSon
Local time: 07:05
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 24

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Catherine Gilsenan
17 hrs
  -> Thank you, Catherine! I thought I was alone in the dark on this one. If you do a little research, you'll see this is "novelty entertainment". Have a great evening.
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Reference comments


17 mins
Reference: here's a definition...

Reference information:
perhaps someone will find a suitable solution based on this

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Note added at 19 mins (2011-02-02 12:58:02 GMT)
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Actually it's more of a rant than a definition. I'm still reading!

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Note added at 32 mins (2011-02-02 13:10:46 GMT)
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This passage seems the most relevant (page 40):

"(...) comme les spectacles de curiosité, vise plus à susciter l'étonnement du spectateur qu'il ne cherche à faire naître une émotion esthétique ou à délivrer un message"


    Reference: http://books.google.com/books?id=rKumSNv3e-kC&pg=PA33&lpg=PA...
Natasha Dupuy
France
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 10
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