Glossary entry

French term or phrase:

fil rouge

English translation:

common thread/guide/main theme

Added to glossary by Scott de Lesseps
Feb 24, 2003 18:20
21 yrs ago
5 viewers *
French term

fil rouge

French to English Art/Literary Music Music
Jean Sebastien Bach, qui aura ete notre fil rouge durant tnos etudes, ces scores sont readaptees pour la basse et plus precisement pour les duos de basse.

Does "fil rouge" mean "common thread"? Thanks.

Proposed translations

+4
15 mins
Selected

common thread

You're right, but I think it sounds better to say:
Bach, who has been our guide and companion for the last three studies,
Peer comment(s):

agree Christopher Crockett : That's what it sounds like to me.
15 mins
agree Ramon Somoza : main thread
33 mins
agree writeaway
1 hr
agree Bourth (X)
5 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: " It's really interesting the diversity of answers that come up in response to questions. But then that's one of the things that makes translating so interesting. Frankly, I was torn between choosing William's or Christopher's answer. You both used the word "guide", which I think fits well. Thanks to everyone - your comments have helped a lot. By the way, Lars, I am related to Ferdinand - distantly - he's a distant cousin."
+2
4 mins

our lead (main, major lead)

lead alone should do
Peer comment(s):

agree Clair Pickworth
3 mins
agree danyce
9 mins
Something went wrong...
12 mins

main theme

..to tune in with the musical context too..

(Any relation to Ferdinand, Scott?)
Something went wrong...
12 mins

common theme

alternative to thread, and sanctioned by R&C
Something went wrong...
+1
29 mins

Ariadne's thread ?

Could it be that Bach is the "guide" through the "maze" of whatever musical selections are being discussed ?

A kind of "touchstone," to which the discussion is always returning ?

I forget what color Ariadne's thread was, but it worked for Theseus, apparently.
Peer comment(s):

agree Bourth (X) : Yes, taht's the origin/reference of the expression, but Ariandne doesn't work here, IMO.
5 hrs
Well, what *was* the color of her thread, then ?
Something went wrong...
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