Glossary entry (derived from question below)
French term or phrase:
sciences de l\'univers
English translation:
astrophysical sciences / cosmology / space science
Added to glossary by
Jocelyne S
Sep 28, 2010 07:11
13 yrs ago
7 viewers *
French term
France
sciences de l'univers
French to English
Science
Astronomy & Space
I am not convinced that "sciences de l'univers" (the discipline) can be acceptably translated into "science of the universe" in English, but my client - a French professor - is convinced that it can be.
I would be interested in the (substantiated) opinions of colleagues with experience in astronomy, astrophysics and/or cosmology.
Many thanks in advance.
Best,
Jocelyne
I would be interested in the (substantiated) opinions of colleagues with experience in astronomy, astrophysics and/or cosmology.
Many thanks in advance.
Best,
Jocelyne
Proposed translations
(English)
| 3 | astrophysical sciences |
Melissa McMahon
|
| 5 +1 | Space science |
Mathieu Isidro (X)
|
| 5 | Sciences of the Universe |
Sylvie Chartier
|
| 3 +1 | study of the universe |
Richard Hedger
|
| 3 | astrophysics |
David Richardson
|
Proposed translations
19 mins
Selected
astrophysical sciences
Not my field, but philosophers feel like disciplinary distinctions are their specialty!
I gather from the descriptions on the web that the "science of the universe" is basically physics, but with a cosmological focus - ie astrophysics - and I think "astrophysical sciences" gives the appropriate multi-disciplinary meaning and is commonly used in English, see eg. the dept of astrophysical sciences at http://www.princeton.edu/astro/
I would suggest to your client that "sciences of the universe", although used as a transliteration of departments/institutes of this name, in English sounds about as learned as "to infinity and beyond!"
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Note added at 25 mins (2010-09-28 07:37:08 GMT)
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Ie as per asker's description, the "sciences de l'univers" = astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology (http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sciences_de_l'Univers), which I would refer to by the umbrella term "astrophysical sciences".
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Note added at 17 hrs (2010-09-29 00:51:11 GMT)
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... Or astronomical sciences? There appears to be controversy over names: cf. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomy#Use_of_terms_.22astro...
I gather from the descriptions on the web that the "science of the universe" is basically physics, but with a cosmological focus - ie astrophysics - and I think "astrophysical sciences" gives the appropriate multi-disciplinary meaning and is commonly used in English, see eg. the dept of astrophysical sciences at http://www.princeton.edu/astro/
I would suggest to your client that "sciences of the universe", although used as a transliteration of departments/institutes of this name, in English sounds about as learned as "to infinity and beyond!"
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 25 mins (2010-09-28 07:37:08 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Ie as per asker's description, the "sciences de l'univers" = astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology (http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sciences_de_l'Univers), which I would refer to by the umbrella term "astrophysical sciences".
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Note added at 17 hrs (2010-09-29 00:51:11 GMT)
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... Or astronomical sciences? There appears to be controversy over names: cf. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomy#Use_of_terms_.22astro...
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
fionn
: This philosopher agrees with you. Also that 'science(s) of the universe' is a description, not the name of a discipline.
3 hrs
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Thanks, Fionn!
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| disagree |
Kiwiland Bear
: Definition for the "sciences de l'univers" includes astrophysics but that's not all there is to it. It also includes cosmology and others. So astrophysics is way too narrow here.//But physical sciences are still about/within physics. Not so with astro...
12 hrs
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I agree, which is why I did not suggest "astrophysics". Cf. Physical sciences vs physics - not the same thing!
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "It is really difficult to award points here since I don't believe there is a single "correct" answer in this case. My context was quite historical (Newton + the construction of scientific knowledge) and I felt that "space science" was too modern a term. I used Melissa's suggestion, but in the end my client and I have agreed to go with cosmology instead. Many thanks to all for your help."
+1
10 mins
study of the universe
"science of the universe" = 2'690'000 hits
"study of the universe" = 14'200'000 hits
Its not wrong but can be said in other ways too :)
"study of the universe" = 14'200'000 hits
Its not wrong but can be said in other ways too :)
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Melissa McMahon
: but neither the science nor the study of the universe is the discipline(s) referred to by "les sciences de l'univers"
11 mins
|
| agree |
Kiwiland Bear
13 hrs
|
26 mins
Sylvie Chartier
Canada
Canada
Native in French
Canada
30+ years experience, Trados user
Native in: French (Variants: Standard-France, Canadian) 
Works in: English to French, French
Sciences of the Universe
The French professor is right...
Note from asker:
| Do you have any English evidence to back this up? The link you've provided is the translation of a French CNRS research unit. I haven't found anything convincing to back this up in (native) English documents, other than specific book titles or the like, but not in reference to the discipline as a whole. |
+1
2 hrs
Space science
Hi, indeed, Sciences of the Universe is not a phrase you'll find very often. Just check occurrences on google, and the source.
CNES, the French space agency, often uses "Universe sciences", but it is merely a translation of the French. I wouldn't say it's wrong, but it's not used in English circles in my experience.
NASA uses "Space science", of which you'll find a lot more sources on google.
The debate I had with colleagues at CNES was whether science should be plural or not, to better show the different science involved in this field. Astrophysics is just one field, Space science also includes fundamental physics, planetology, exobiology, heliophysics, among others.
In my opinion, stick with what NASA, ESA, or Americans, do and say when it comes to space vocabulary in English.
CNES, the French space agency, often uses "Universe sciences", but it is merely a translation of the French. I wouldn't say it's wrong, but it's not used in English circles in my experience.
NASA uses "Space science", of which you'll find a lot more sources on google.
The debate I had with colleagues at CNES was whether science should be plural or not, to better show the different science involved in this field. Astrophysics is just one field, Space science also includes fundamental physics, planetology, exobiology, heliophysics, among others.
In my opinion, stick with what NASA, ESA, or Americans, do and say when it comes to space vocabulary in English.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Anna Quail
: Sounds convincing to me, although I'm no expert. Definition given in one of your refs: http://www.esa.int/export/esaSC/SEMG0KR1VED_index_0.html Will post another reference in Discussion section.
1 hr
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Thanks Flo
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| neutral |
Melissa McMahon
: My concern though would be whether this is too NASA-activity based: ie too much about the science and technology of space exploration and observation rather than the physical sciences per se.
3 hrs
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Thanks, I think you may be right, see discussion thread
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2 hrs
David Richardson
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
United Kingdom
Reliable, committed, many happy clients
Native in: English (Variant: UK)
Works in: French to English
astrophysics
"les sciences" is quite generic, I would believe the best term to simply be "astrophysics"
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Carrie Comer
: Over 37 million google hits, many university level classes, etc. My brother was an astrophysics minor. In my opinion this is the most recognizable way to refer to this field.
4 hrs
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| disagree |
Kiwiland Bear
: Definition for the "sciences de l'univers" includes astrophysics but that's not all there is to it. It also includes cosmology and others. So astrophysics is way too narrow here.
10 hrs
|
Discussion
http://space.about.com/library/weekly/blusschools.htm
hence, as an academic field of study, it would indeed seem wiser to go for something along those lines
For that reason my vote goes to Richard's "study of the universe" although I might put it in plural myself.
"Dynamique méso-échelle de l'atmosphère martienne : développement d'un modèle météorologique et analyse des observations OMEGA / Mars Express
Spiga A.
Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris VI (07/10/2008), François Forget (Dir.) [tel-00347021 − version 3]"
The ENS website translates it as 'Sciences of the Universe', incidentally, so don't be too hard on your professor- he's in good company!
I looked for 'France' in the link he posted and found this: http://www.esa.int/esa-cgi/esasearch.pl?r=space_science&q=Fr... which led me to http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMS3PMZCIE_0.html
It mentions François Forget from University of Paris 6. If you google his name you find: "François FORGET, chargé de recherche, laboratoire de Météorologie dynamique, Ecole Polytechnique (Paris) - Sciences de l’univers" http://www.dr5.cnrs.fr/spip.php?article356