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  3. Environment & Ecology

apports ponctuels

English translation: if only isolated data is available (not ongoing)

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:apports ponctuels
English translation:if only isolated data is available (not ongoing)
Entered by: Rosalind Howarth

19:03 Jan 4, 2009
French to English translations [PRO]
Science - Environment & Ecology / Water
French term or phrase: apports ponctuels
This term is taken from a text by the Ministry of Ecology, and is describing the various measures in place to reduce harmful chemical substances in water:

"Ces objectifs de réduction sont quantifiés identifiés en pourcentage si les connaissances sur les sources de données sont complètes et fiables, en flux si l'on ne connaît que des apports ponctuels".
Rosalind Howarth
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:07
if only isolated data is available (not ongoing)
Explanation:
Hello,

I can tell you for one that you aren't going to say "punctuel" here.

apports = another word for "data" (feedback, input)
ponctuels = isolated (not on a regular basis, here and there)

si l'on ne connaît que des apports ponctuels = if only isolated data is available
I hope this helps.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 hrs (2009-01-05 02:35:19 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I mean "punctual". LOL.


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 10 hrs (2009-01-05 05:09:53 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I really don't think "contribution" is that appropriate. "Apports" is just what data is given to them, or made available. I would really need more context to be sure, though.
Selected response from:

MatthewLaSon
Local time: 06:07
Grading comment
Thanks, this was exactly what I was looking for!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +4occasional contributions
polyglot45
5sporadic sata
Rosa Paredes
3one-off / sporadic input
ormiston
4 -1punctual contributions
Lionel_M (X)
3if only isolated data is available (not ongoing)
MatthewLaSon


  

Answers


6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
occasional contributions


Explanation:
ponctuel means "intermittent", "occasional" "spot", "non-continuous"

try the glossaries - it is bound to have cropped up before

polyglot45
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 20

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Gabrielle Leyden: add "sporadic" to the list
3 mins
agree  cmwilliams (X): yes, not 'punctual'
3 hrs
agree  Emma Paulay
13 hrs
agree  writeaway: sporadic is good too (as youcan see from the answers it inspired below). punctual is the finest of faux amis. agree with cmwilliams. definitely not punctual
15 hrs
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19 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
sporadic sata


Explanation:
Happy 2009!

Rosa Paredes
Canada
Local time: 06:07
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Lionel_M (X): Sorry Rosa, but what is SATA ?
3 hrs
  -> Hi Lionel, sorry, I meant 'DATA"
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
one-off / sporadic input


Explanation:
might work here

ormiston
Local time: 12:07
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): -1
punctual contributions


Explanation:
ponctuel = punctual
http://www.wordreference.com/fren/ponctuel

Why should we change the meaning ?

Lionel_M (X)
Local time: 12:07
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 7

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Emma Paulay: Because it's not the meaning here!
9 hrs
  -> Yes Emmma, you're right ! I realized too late. Sorry and thks for your precision.
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7 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
if only isolated data is available (not ongoing)


Explanation:
Hello,

I can tell you for one that you aren't going to say "punctuel" here.

apports = another word for "data" (feedback, input)
ponctuels = isolated (not on a regular basis, here and there)

si l'on ne connaît que des apports ponctuels = if only isolated data is available
I hope this helps.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 hrs (2009-01-05 02:35:19 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I mean "punctual". LOL.


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 10 hrs (2009-01-05 05:09:53 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I really don't think "contribution" is that appropriate. "Apports" is just what data is given to them, or made available. I would really need more context to be sure, though.

MatthewLaSon
Local time: 06:07
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 27
Grading comment
Thanks, this was exactly what I was looking for!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  polyglot45: well, you can talk about "input"' but the true problem was "ponctuel", after all
5 hrs
  -> Et pourquoi le commentaire alors? LOL. Ponctuel" can be very difficult to translate into English. It can mean a variety of things: one-off, one-time, exceptional, isolated, sporadic, etc. (depending on context). By the way, Happy New Year!
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