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Jan 31, 2016 08:05
8 yrs ago
1 viewer *
French term

vérifier

French to English Tech/Engineering Engineering (general) Equipment / materials tes
My current document has several instances of 'vérifier' used in a way with which I am unfamiliar, and before I go with the apparent intended meaning, I'd just like to ask if others are familiar with this usage, or if I'm perhaps missing something?

For reasons of client confidentiality, I am obliged to edit the source text example, but in all instances, it is being used in exactly the same way, like this:

« Pour pouvoir passer dans les locaux destiné à leur installation, les machines entièrement montées doivent vérifier les limites dimensionnelles définis au paragraphe X »

Now I might have understood the more usual meaning of 'be checked against', had the verb not been being used in this transitive way; and also, the intended meaning, gleaned empirically from the surrounding text, across all the instances I have, surely has to be '[must] comply with' etc.

As far as I know, this document is from mainland France — it is in connection with power generation, though I don't believe that specifically affects the usage here. I do, however, note that this particular (large!) organization does seem to have a slightly quirky use of language in other ways as well, though none of the others are open to misinterpetation.

Thanks in advance for any guidance!
Proposed translations (English)
3 +2 satisfy
3 +3 comply with
3 verify
Votes to reclassify question as PRO/non-PRO:

Non-PRO (1): GILLES MEUNIER

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Discussion

dwt2 Feb 1, 2016:
If you wanted to preserve the sense of "checking" and the slightly quirky style, I would suggest "check out against" as a translation of "verifier" in this context.
Tony M (asker) Jan 31, 2016:
@ Bohy Thank you for that! I'm glad you have confirmed what was my instinctive (but non-native-speaker!) feeling — though it is sad to see such mis-use of language being perpetrated by such a large organization that really ought to know better!
Anne Bohy Jan 31, 2016:
Incorrection de langage Si le terme "vérifier" appartient bien au domaine mathématique, il est mal employé ici. En effet, on vérifie une condition (une égalité, une inégalité, une appartenance à un ensemble, etc.). Une limite, elle, n'est qu'une simple valeur. Il serait plus correct de dire "respecter les limites" que d'employer mal à propos un terme mathématique.
Tony M (asker) Jan 31, 2016:
@ Johannes It is big chunks of heavy plant, passive in nature, the dimensions are indeed dimensions and weight, and no, the machines themselves are not capable of 'checking' anything. That's the whole point of this oddly transitive use of the verb with an object that is not something that usually has to be 'checked'; I think Chris and Charles have the right idea here.
Johannes Gleim Jan 31, 2016:
@Tony The key may be included in "les limites dimensionnelles définis au paragraphe X". What is specified in section X (length, width, hight in m)? Another approach: What type of machinery is concerned? What is handled by this machinery? How intelligent? Capable to check anything like dimensions? Or is "dimensions" a replacement term for hiding the client?
Tony M (asker) Jan 31, 2016:
@ Daryo I'm not sure quite how 'multinational' they actually are, but in any case, no, I don't think this is a foreign language issue: the documents are generally well-written in proper technical native FR; it's just the use of certain particular terms that seems to be specificaly 'in-house jargon'.
Daryo Jan 31, 2016:
I do, however, note that this particular (large!) organization does seem to have a slightly quirky use of language in other ways as well, though none of the others are open to misinterpetation.

them being a multinational, there might be some weird interactions going on between different languages they are using?
Chakib Roula Jan 31, 2016:
@Tony,
In the sense "to make sure" s'assurer.
Tony M (asker) Jan 31, 2016:
@ Charles Thanks to both you and Chris! I was unaware of that usage, and I now feel confident about my instinctive, empirical interpretation's being along the right lines.
Charles Davis Jan 31, 2016:
Chris is right about maths; vérifier can mean "Être solution d'une équation ; satisfaire à une condition." I think that must be what they mean, though it does seem odd transferred to this context.

Proposed translations

+2
31 mins
Selected

satisfy

This word crops up frequently in maths and physics where such and such an equations "satisfies" a particular condition or vice versa.

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Note added at 2 hrs (2016-01-31 10:36:08 GMT)
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I do think it is legitimate to "satisfy a limit" - certainly boundary conditions (conditions aux limites) can be "satisfied" by an expression or equation (e.g. http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/1965002... You might prefer "be consistent with" or something similar.
Note from asker:
Thanks a lot Chris, I was unaware of that usage. However, while I can quite understand 'staify an equation / condition', do you think we can really say 'satisfy a limit'? I am inclined to 'stretch' it to 'comply with'...?
Peer comment(s):
agree Charles Davis : I think this must be what they mean.
45 mins
Thanks, Charles
agree Chakib Roula
53 mins
Thanks, Chakib
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks a lot, Chris — not only for the term suggestion, but even more importantly for the explanations! I was comfortable using 'satisfy' in some instances, and in others I re-phrased slightly to get round it."
+3
1 hr

comply with

you usually "comply" with various limitations

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 hrs (2016-01-31 14:47:25 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

another possibility

Pour pouvoir passer dans les locaux destiné à leur installation, les machines entièrement montées doivent vérifier les limites dimensionnelles définis au paragraphe X

the dimensions of the completely assembled machinery must be within the gabarit defined in ...

same as a train must be within the gabarit of a tunnel ...
Note from asker:
Thanks a lot, Daryo, for your helpful contribution. In the end, I don't think 'comply with' would fit in every instance in my document, although it was certainly usable in a few instances.
Peer comment(s):
agree Chakib Roula
3 mins
اﺮﻜﺷ
agree Lisa Laplante : "comply with" makes sense; however, "vérifier" is such a stretch in this context you might want to at least make a translator's note and point it out to the customer. "respecter" or "être conforme à" make much more sense.
3 hrs
It is a quite unusual use of "vérifier", but I don't see any need to go against what the context suggests // this being a multinational, it is most likely their internal jargon influenced by some other language. Thanks!
agree jean-pierre belliard : Agree with Lisa: sentence compiled in a poor French
4 hrs
Thanks!
Something went wrong...
4 hrs

verify

Acc. MHO it's better to phrase instructions in active voice than in passive voice. You can say, please verify that the available space or the dimensions of provided fondations fit the overall dimensions of the test equipment or that the installation fits into the present space. You may express this instruction using synonyms for circumscription, too.

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Note added at 10 hrs (2016-01-31 18:07:56 GMT)
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Can also be combined with other verbs, included those proposed by other peers, like:

Verify that ... complies to / satisfies ...

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Note added at 10 hrs (2016-01-31 18:11:43 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

that ... respects / conformes to ... , etc.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 13 hrs (2016-01-31 21:56:40 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Please verify that your advertisement artwork fits the dimensions specified above.
http://www.bmamag.com/advertising/

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Note added at 1 day2 hrs (2016-02-01 11:03:36 GMT)
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Sorry for not providing more references for use of "please verify that ...", but yesterday I had only the smartphone available.

Goggling for that term returns a multitude of links. Some are cited below:

Other phrases form different subjects, composed similarly.

Please verify that campgrounds in the LDRs are not subject to dimensional limitations and therefore the number of sites in a campground is not limited by previous use or any other limitation contained in the LDRs
https://www.google.de/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd...

Please, verify that the PDF document dimensions match the dimensions necessary to comply with Lightning Source requirements for the item you are uploading.
https://www.google.de/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd...

Seems like the height and width dimensions are listed backwards. Can you please verify that the height of the fixture is 6.25" (so that's how low it will hang off the ceiling) and it is 16" across? thanks.
http://www.houzz.com/discussions/3278969/dimensions-of-light

BEFORE coming to your printing appointment, please verify that the dimensions of your poster are correct. Also, view your poster at 100% to see how it will look when printed, and correct any issues with pixilation or fuzziness if necessary.
http://geoscience.unlv.edu/posterplotterinstructions.htm

Please verify that your MicroStation Workspace is installed in the proper location before installing Bentley Architecture.
ftp://ftp.bentley.com/pub/help/architecture/08090433en/html/...

Please verify that this free area is available on your lift truck.
https://www.google.de/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd...

Please verify that these dimensions will suit your needs and fit in your vehicle to your satisfaction prior to purchase or trimming.
http://www.weathertech.ca/en/avm-universal-cargo-mat/

Please verify that elevation matches floor plan before ordering.
http://www.coolhouseplans.com/details.html?pid=43645

1. Please verify that a minimum of 48” clearance is provided from the leading edge of the front door in the
open position and the new fence. ANSI A11.71 – 2009 section 404.2.5 Two Doors in Series.
https://www.google.de/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd...

3. Please verify that the concrete slab on grade for the retail area is 4” thick on 4” granular base
https://www.google.de/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd...

Please verify that the equipment templates match the equipment you are installing.
https://www.google.de/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd...

Verify that the installation location:
• Is not adjacent to vibration sources, such as pumps, compressors, or fans. Excessive vibration will affect instrument performance.
• Is not adjacent to electrically noisy devices, such as ovens, stepper motors, refrigeration units, etc.
• Allows the laptop to be within 6 feet (2 meters) of the instrument.
:
Please verify that there are sufficient building clearances between shipping and receiving and your installation site for the passage of the dolly.
https://www.google.de/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd...

Please verify that your own lathe will accept the 5M710 lathe belt before you order.
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/9x20-lathe

Please verify that the connection meets the requirements given below.
:
4) Verify that body is correctly centred between the tie rods.
https://www.google.de/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd...

• Please verify that the product is complete and free from any damage.
(see reference table section 6.5).
https://www.google.de/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd...

... etc.
Note from asker:
Thank you for your very full contribution, Johannes! After all, it is not up to me to re-write the source text or give lessons to my FR native-speaking customer. Although your suggestions in general are sound advice, in this instance the use of 'verify' simply wasn't possible; that was the whole point, that they were using it in a different way from usual.
Something went wrong...
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