1

I'm applying to universities. I was thinking to translate "mention bien/très bien" by "with honors" but on my transcripts I had both (on different diplomas), so I would like to know if I can distinguish them

Improve this question
4

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
-2

les mentions on French diplomas (funnily enough, I happen to have three of them) means honors. (Not to be confused with mention on legal documents, please.)

Translators (which is what I am) argue a lot about this. Personally, I would used: degree in [subject] with high honors and with highest honors. I also have a mention très bien.

with honors, high honors, highest honors.

I will, however, point out that those terms work for university degrees. If this is for the BAC, and you use the term baccalaureate diploma (for le BAC, baccalauréat) you can use them. I advise against using "high school diploma" with those terms. The BAC= A Baccalaureate diploma (equivalent to high school plus two years).

[please note: I was thinking of translating x as y.

honors

Improve this answer
1
  • Downvoters, please. You are doing a disservice to the OP.
    – Lambie
    Commented Nov 3, 2021 at 15:51
0

This should be treated as specific and technical terminology associated with a particular educations and examinations system, and not translated. You should treat the full qualification name as a proper noun. You would not "Translate" Jacques to James. Nor should you translate Baccalauréat mention bien to "Bachelor degree with honours".

In a Resumé or CV you list your qualifications exactly as you received them "A diploma mention bien" And you may indicate by means of a footnote or endnote an equivalence with the local examination system "*equivalent to a diploma with high honours". You do this as a courtesy and convenience to the person receiving your CV.

Hiding the actual qualification behind a translation could cause you to be accused of misrepresenting your qualification and lead to difficult questions at interview.

Improve this answer
7
  • I'm sorry but this is not so. In English, you can say with honors etc. and put the French in brackets. I speak from experience.
    – Lambie
    Commented Oct 30, 2021 at 13:30
  • 1
    I'll take you disagreement, but agree with you that translators argue about such things a lot. I think the difference between our answers is that I say "diplôme mention bien (Diploma with honours)" and you say "Diploma with honours (diplôme mention bien) The problem with this comes when people try to "Translate" a Baccalaureate into "A levels". But the systems are so different that translation fails. I stand by my answer. Don't translate qualification names. Treat them as proper nouns.
    – James K
    Commented Oct 30, 2021 at 19:48
  • Yes, I always say: Baccalaureate degree. Because the word can actually be used in English. And people just have to know it. That said, I do not think one has to mention the French at all, really. I don't always on mine.
    – Lambie
    Commented Oct 30, 2021 at 19:50
  • Not really. I know what a Bachelor's degree is. I don't really know what a "Baccalaureate degree" might be. Is it Secondary school? Higher? Postgraduate level?
    – James K
    Commented Oct 30, 2021 at 19:53
  • Europeans know it and US universities know it when people apply from European countries. The BAC, French secondary school, which for the US, is HS plus two years. I have no idea about the UK and what I would use there....
    – Lambie
    Commented Oct 30, 2021 at 19:55
-1

Just chiming in here, and SEVERAL years too late, but saying that "The BAC= A Baccalaureate diploma (equivalent to high school plus two years)" is absolutely incorrect. The French BAC is a test taken at the end of high school. In the US, for example, we have three years of Junior HS (collège in France) and four years of high school (as opposed to three in France). It all works out in the end to the same number of years in school.

Improve this answer
3
  • As it’s currently written, your answer is unclear. Please edit to add additional details that will help others understand how this addresses the question asked. You can find more information on how to write good answers in the help center.
    – Community Bot
    Commented Oct 29, 2021 at 12:20
  • This does not provide an answer to the question. Once you have sufficient reputation you will be able to comment on any post; instead, provide answers that don't require clarification from the asker. - From Review
    – Chenmunka
    Commented Oct 29, 2021 at 12:30
  • junior college is only two years. And the BAC is more than a HS diploma. It is actually more like a HS diploma plus one or two more years, level-wise.
    – Lambie
    Commented Oct 30, 2021 at 13:28

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .