Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Mar 12, 2007 15:43
17 yrs ago
2 viewers *
French term
calibrer
French to English
Tech/Engineering
Metrology
in fact, the question has to do with the distinction between "calibrer" and "étalonner" and how this distinction might best be expressed in English.
Thank you Merci
In a French pharma audit report:
...un testeur de marque Kraëmer ... qui est calibré trimestriellement et étalonné une fois l'an."
Thank you Merci
In a French pharma audit report:
...un testeur de marque Kraëmer ... qui est calibré trimestriellement et étalonné une fois l'an."
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 +5 | calibrate |
Tony M
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| 4 +1 | to calibrate |
Jock
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| 4 | calibration (calibrer) and validation (étalonné) |
Marina FS
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| 3 -1 | to gauge / to standardize / to calibrate |
kironne
|
Proposed translations
+5
12 mins
Selected
calibrate
Erm... it's 'calibrate' and 'calibrate', I'm afraid! It does depend a tiny bit upon EXACTLY how they are using the terms, but there are indeed 2 different kinds of 'calibration' that are done.
'étalonner' means 'to calibrate (against an objective standard)' — in the case of the test house where I used to work, this usually entailed sending the equipment away for calibration against national standards by a specialized calibration service authorized to certify the accuracy of the equipment.
The more frequent intervals for 'calibrer' suggest that this would be a local calibration, probably against in-house standards.
The problem is knowing exactly how each firm operates, as some might do both operations in house, or outsource both of them. And of course, what that calibration activity actually entails will eb depndednt on exactly what specific piece of equipment is involved.
You might find that 'calibrer' is best rendered by 'to check the calibration', and 'étalonner' by 'to perform full calibration on...' or 'to recalibrate', but as I say, the exact descriptions are goingto be company-procedure-specific
'étalonner' means 'to calibrate (against an objective standard)' — in the case of the test house where I used to work, this usually entailed sending the equipment away for calibration against national standards by a specialized calibration service authorized to certify the accuracy of the equipment.
The more frequent intervals for 'calibrer' suggest that this would be a local calibration, probably against in-house standards.
The problem is knowing exactly how each firm operates, as some might do both operations in house, or outsource both of them. And of course, what that calibration activity actually entails will eb depndednt on exactly what specific piece of equipment is involved.
You might find that 'calibrer' is best rendered by 'to check the calibration', and 'étalonner' by 'to perform full calibration on...' or 'to recalibrate', but as I say, the exact descriptions are goingto be company-procedure-specific
Note from asker:
| Thanks for a quick and detailed answer that, I'm afraid, confirms my hunch |
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks again. I'm talking to the client and will probably go for someting like what you suggest in your last sentence"
+1
10 mins
to calibrate
et pour étalonner ("to calibrate" aussi en général), "to set the standards for" conviendra peut-être (source : R&C).
Note from asker:
| thanks |
15 mins
calibration (calibrer) and validation (étalonné)
suggestion
Note from asker:
| Thanks. But in pharma, "validation" means something very specific, and quite different |
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Tony M
: Possible, but I've not personally come across the use of 'validation' in this specific field [UK usage] // For me, as Asker says, it's something else, and very specific
25 mins
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Thanks. I know validation is common in lab methods. Perhaps its a similar methodology.
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-1
30 mins
to gauge / to standardize / to calibrate
Calibrer
Définition :
Rendre du calibre voulu.
Sous-entrée(s) : .
quasi-synonyme(s)
mesurer l'écartement de la voie v.
étalonner v.
jauger v.
mettre à une cote exacte v.
http://www.granddictionnaire.com/btml/fra/r_motclef/index800...
I'd say it is practically the same
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Note added at 1 hr (2007-03-12 17:09:47 GMT)
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Right, this was not a very clear answer.
My logic was, since gauge, calibrate, and standardize are similar, I'd keep gauge and calibrate for "calibrate, and "standardize" for étalonner. Which is actually good, either.
Sorry for that.
Moral: Never stop in the middle of writing a complicated/tricky answer to do something else. You'll never quite get back to your original rationale.
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Note added at 1 hr (2007-03-12 17:16:47 GMT)
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According to
standardize
Main Entry:
stan·dard·ize
Pronunciation:
\ˈstan-dər-ˌdīz\
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -ized; -iz·ing
Date: 1873
1 : to compare with a standard
2 : to bring into conformity with a standard
Main Entry:
standard
[...]
4: something set up and established by authority as a rule for the measure of quantity, weight, extent, value, or quality
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What I was trying to convey was that the Kraemer was calibrated 4 times a year, and then standardized (compared with the "official" standards --which I assume, are external to the Company) yearly.
THAT was my rationale.
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Note added at 1 hr (2007-03-12 17:21:44 GMT)
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Reference: http://www.m-w.com
Peer comment(s):
| disagree |
Tony M
: Practically, yes — but in this very specialized industry, I'm afraid 'near enough' is not 'good enough' // I understand, but sadly 'standardized' is not used with this meaning (AFAIK?) / modern usage in metrology requires 'calibrate against/to a standard'
11 mins
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You're right, Tony. I didn't express myself as precisely as I wanted. I was actually suggesting to use "calibrate or gauge" for calibrer, and "standardize" for étalonner.My bad //Yes, standardize is to bring into conformity with a standard (see note)
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