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  3. Imprimerie et édition

brochure vs leaflet vs pamphlet

français translation: documentation commerciale / dépliant OU plaquette / livret / plaquette OU tract [see question for fuller details]

ENTRÉE DU GLOSSAIRE (VENANT DE LA QUESTION CI-DESSOUS)
Terme ou expression en anglais :brochure / leaflet / booklet / pamphlet
Traduction en français :documentation commerciale / dépliant OU plaquette / livret / plaquette OU tract [see question for fuller details]
Entrée par  : Tony M

17:34 Feb 15, 2006
traduction anglais vers français [PRO]
Imprimerie et édition / Children\'s health
Terme ou expression en anglais : brochure vs leaflet vs pamphlet
These terms appear again and again in my text.
Ex: Brochures and leaflets should be available in front of the entrance...
My dictionaries give the same translations for these words (a mix of the same French words).
Are there clear differences between them, or are they rough synonyms?

Ta
Michel A.
Local time: 17:53
See explanation below...
Explication :
I'm not sure that there is an 'official' definition of the difference between them, but I've seen different translations used in FR.

My own 'feeling' is that a 'brochure' is likely to be fatter, might be stapled, and may well be glossy and printed in colour --- for example, a 'sales brochure' for a car, fitted kitchen, etc., or a holiday brochure. The sales / promotional aspect is probably a key factor --- I don't think you would ever say 'an instruction brochure', for example. I think this is 'prospectus' in FR, isn't it?

To me, a 'leaflet' suggests probably little more than a single folded sheet, like those 3-panel twice folded A4 sheets that are so ubiquitous. 'dépliant' ? 'plaquette' ?

A 'pamphlet' suggests something similar, maybe a few more pages --- the sort of thing often printed in black-&-white and used to provide basic instructions for simple items of domestic equipment. Probably have more text content. cf. 'political pamphlet'. 'tracte'?

HTH!

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 16 mins (2006-02-15 17:50:27 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

OED:

brochure - A booklet or pamphlet, esp. giving information about the amenities of a place etc.

leaflet - A small sheet of paper or a sheet folded into two or more leaves but not stitched, containing printed matter (often advertisements), usu. distributed free of charge.

pamphlet - A group of several printed or (formerly) written pages, fewer than would make a book, fastened together without a hard cover and issued as a single or (formerly) periodical work; esp. one of which the text is of a minor, ephemeral, or controversial nature; a booklet; a leaflet.
Réponse sélectionnée de :

Tony M
France
Local time: 23:53
Grading comment
Thanks for the explanations.
4 points KudoZ ont été attribués à cette réponse



Résumé des réponses proposées
4 +8See explanation below...
Tony M
4 +3brochure describes product; leaflet is more general
Jack Doughty
4 +2leaflet - single page; brochure - several pages
NancyLynn
5leaflet 1- brochure more- pamphlet larger
Patricia Valenzuela
4[below]
Robert Forstag


Entrées pour la discussion : 4





  

Réponses


9 minutes   confiance : Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
[below]


Explication :
A brochure is larger than a pamphlet, which in turn is larger than a leaflet.

A leaflet is usually a single folded page.

A brochure is usually a small booklet with at least a few, and perhaps many, pages.

A pamphlet is more likely to be just a few pages, probably stapled or glued together.

Suerte.

Robert Forstag
États-Unis
Local time: 17:53
Langue maternelle : anglais
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8 minutes   confiance : Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 approbation des pairs (net) : +2
leaflet - single page; brochure - several pages


Explication :
think of "brocher", Michel ;-)
If it's a few pages stapled together, it's a brochure.
If it's a single page folded over, it's a leaflet.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 mins (2006-02-15 17:43:43 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

pamphlet - several pages folded together, as you often get from Pharmaprix in your PubliSac on Fridays ;-)

NancyLynn
Canada
Local time: 17:53
Langue maternelle : anglais

Commentaires des pairs sur cette réponse (et réponses des répondeurs)
Accord  RHELLER
2 heures
Accord  Will Matter: Leaflets are usually single pages with either single or double-sided printing & a Z or tri-fold. Brochures are more than one page, with either single or double-sided printing, held together by saddle (on the spine) or corner stapling. Kinkos/15 yrs. exp
4 heures
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10 minutes   confiance : Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 approbation des pairs (net) : +3
brochure describes product; leaflet is more general


Explication :
A brochure sets out what is available at e.g. a hotel, or what products are available from a certain manufacturer, etc.
A leaflet can be anything, including political. It is just a single sheet for wide distribution, on any subject you like.
The word pamphlet has political connotations, for me at any rate. It may be on several sheets. I don't think you could use it for a brochure as described above.

Jack Doughty
Royaume-Uni
Local time: 22:53
Langue maternelle : anglais

Commentaires des pairs sur cette réponse (et réponses des répondeurs)
Accord  Dave Calderhead
1 heure
  -> Thank you.
Accord  humbird: As for your comment on pamphlet, in general that's my understanding too. I agree with your other descriptions just as well.
2 heures
  -> Thank you.
Accord  Tania Marques-Cardoso
18 heures
  -> Thank you.
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13 minutes   confiance : Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 approbation des pairs (net) : +8
brochure vs leaflet vs pamphlet vs booklet
See explanation below...


Explication :
I'm not sure that there is an 'official' definition of the difference between them, but I've seen different translations used in FR.

My own 'feeling' is that a 'brochure' is likely to be fatter, might be stapled, and may well be glossy and printed in colour --- for example, a 'sales brochure' for a car, fitted kitchen, etc., or a holiday brochure. The sales / promotional aspect is probably a key factor --- I don't think you would ever say 'an instruction brochure', for example. I think this is 'prospectus' in FR, isn't it?

To me, a 'leaflet' suggests probably little more than a single folded sheet, like those 3-panel twice folded A4 sheets that are so ubiquitous. 'dépliant' ? 'plaquette' ?

A 'pamphlet' suggests something similar, maybe a few more pages --- the sort of thing often printed in black-&-white and used to provide basic instructions for simple items of domestic equipment. Probably have more text content. cf. 'political pamphlet'. 'tracte'?

HTH!

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 16 mins (2006-02-15 17:50:27 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

OED:

brochure - A booklet or pamphlet, esp. giving information about the amenities of a place etc.

leaflet - A small sheet of paper or a sheet folded into two or more leaves but not stitched, containing printed matter (often advertisements), usu. distributed free of charge.

pamphlet - A group of several printed or (formerly) written pages, fewer than would make a book, fastened together without a hard cover and issued as a single or (formerly) periodical work; esp. one of which the text is of a minor, ephemeral, or controversial nature; a booklet; a leaflet.

Tony M
France
Local time: 23:53
Langue maternelle : anglais
Points PRO dans la catégorie : 47
Grading comment
Thanks for the explanations.

Commentaires des pairs sur cette réponse (et réponses des répondeurs)
Accord  Dave Calderhead
1 heure
  -> Thanks, Dave!
Accord  Yvette Neisser Moreno: This is a very good explanation of the three terms. I think the important point to be aware of, as Dusty mentioned, is that a brochure is distinct in both its promotional and glossy/colorful qualities.
1 heure
  -> Thanks a lot, Yvette!
Accord  Veronika McLaren
3 heures
  -> Thanks, VMc!
Accord  Balasubramaniam L.: These words have often puzzled me too. Thanks for the explanations.
8 heures
  -> Thanks, Bala! :-)
Accord  Isodynamia
14 heures
  -> Thanks, Constantina!
Accord  Tania Marques-Cardoso
18 heures
  -> Thanks, Tânia!
Accord  Joshua Wolfe: Remember also, that pamphlet FR is faux-ami for pamphlet EN. in FR it is a pejorative term for a satirical publication on politics
1 jour 2 heures
  -> Thanks, Joshua! Good point, indeed!
Accord  Alfa Trans (X)
1 jour 11 heures
  -> Thanks, Marju!
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1 jour 6 heures   confiance : Answerer confidence 5/5
leaflet 1- brochure more- pamphlet larger


Explication :
.........

Patricia Valenzuela
Langue maternelle : espagnol
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