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Mar 19, 2009 07:58
15 yrs ago
French term

pluri-équipement

French to English Social Sciences Philosophy Consumer society
Context: A philosophical piece by Gilles Lipovetsky on “hyper-consumer society”.

This term is explained once (see below), then used twice more later in the text (once as “pluri-équipement” and once as “multi-équipement”) :

« Dès la fin des années 70, la « technologisation » des foyers s’est généralisée dans à peu près tous les groupes sociaux. C’est à partir de ce moment qu’a commencé à se développer le **pluri-équipement** des ménages un nombre croissant de ménage possédant plusieurs biens durables d’un même type (deux voitures, plusieurs télévisions, téléphones, etc…). Cette dimension est importante car jusqu’alors dominait une logique de consommation de type « semi-collective » c’est à dire fondée sur l’équipement du foyer. Cela change avec la société d’hyperconsommation pour autant que la consommation se trouve de plus en plus centrée sur l’équipement des individus qui composent un même ménage. »

My working translation is “multiple-equipping” (using quotation marks in the text, see below), followed later by “the multi-equipping phenomenon” but I don’t like it much.

“From the end of the 70s, the “technologization” of homes began to spread to almost all social groups. This is the moment at which the “multiple-equipping” of homes began to arise, with a growing number of families in possession of several durable goods of the same type (two cars, several televisions, telephones, etc.). This dimension is important as, up to this point, a “semi-collective” consumer rationale had reigned, i.e. one based on the principle of equipping the home itself. This changed with hyperconsumer society, as consumption became increasingly focused on equipping the individuals within the home.”

Discussion

Cath St Clair (X) (asker) Mar 23, 2009:
Thanks for the suggestions, but I wasn't sufficiently convinced by any to stray from my working translation. I'm still not 100% satisfied, but the client seems to be...

Proposed translations

3 hrs

multi-furnishing

This is just a different stab at it which might get the ball rolling in a different direction. When we "équipper un ménage" we don't "equip", but rather set up house, provide ourselves with, furnish, etc. In the same way, I don't think we speak of cars, vacuum cleaners and televisions as equipment, at least not without "household" in the same breath. "Pluri" would most likely become "multi" in English, although "super" is tempting, but "super-furnishing" would be a value judgment I guess. Interesting text, I'd like to read it!
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2 hrs

hyperconsumerism

is definitely used - but perhaps has a more negative connotation than you want?

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Note added at 3 hrs (2009-03-19 11:33:29 GMT)
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Or you could dilute this to "a hyperconsumerist approach"
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+1
32 mins

multi-equipping

"Through this phenomenon, the Group anticipates "multi-equipping", namely listening on the PC and especially via WiFi, which is a growing trend in the United ..."
www.nrjgroup.fr/activite_en_9.html

"10/30/2007, One-Item Multi-Equipping & Unlimited Cash Glitch. One-Item Multi-Equipping ... Requirement: Must perform the "One-Item Multi-Equipping" glitch ..."
www.gamerankings.com/cheats/939100

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Note added at 5 hrs (2009-03-19 13:55:49 GMT)
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My examples are not so much to claim that this is an accepted word, as to show some other examples of the same neologism. Quite honestly, I think it would be OK even if we had thought it up ourselves.
Peer comment(s):

agree cjohnstone : yes but why not "multiple"? :)
57 mins
Good question. I think multiple might imply consecutive, rather than concurrent. Also, shortening it to "multi" somehow makes it seem more routine. It also retains more of the flavour of the original.
neutral Jim Tucker (X) : This may be a usable solution, but the links you cite are not used in the sense of the asker's text; best to adduce relevant usages.
3 hrs
Correct, but see my note above.
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