Translation - French-English - Panorama Mouvant

@redshadow

Hi, Redshadow!
IMHO "effusive" is not the best choice when translating "démonstrative"; at least, not in this case ("demonstrative" would be better. And even better: "pointing". So I would use "pointer" as the single term for "baguette démonstrative".)

Well, here, Lev, in the context of an "educational" demonstration, and in case the "teacher" would like to let those he's teaching to think in one precise way (interpreting the events in one direction and not in another) Red's translation is fair as well. We're lacking context here, but yet it is situated in the second year of the American civil war (secession war) and at these times there were (at least) two different ways to interprete history, that were at the opposite from each other. I'm personally willing to believe the history lessons were obviously "oriented". Moreover I think what the requester wanted was to know the meaning "between the lines", as she said she understood well the text, literally speaking (see the requester's remarks?)

OK, Francky!
Maybe, I'm being too scrupulous with the words in themselves and over-attentive to details (and, somehow, "effusive wand" sounded to me slightly odd. But this could be just right according to your interpretation).
No harm intended ; it’s just my usual way when being at work…

I confirm! : No harm at all, Lev, it's just fine with me. Please note, my post above was just to say : You maybe right, Lev, but you also may be wrong.
Moreover I think I was more on the "first degree" (plus "terre à terre"under the French version, that leads me to say that without more context, a text can be interpreted in different ways, as for this kind of text to which a remark was added (that is not that often the case with submitted texts) Red's translation is closer to what the requester requires. What would be nice to have is a much larger extract from this Belgian periodical, as with more context chances are that the translation would certainly match the meaning of the original text.

Oh, yes!
And that's the object of every reasoning and disagreement; the only way to approach the truth (if truth can be approached at all, of course
Furthermore, I've been trained hardly -and I've kept on doing the same with my pupils- to discuss every minor issue with everybody. In fact, I earn my salary from this, strange as it may sound here

Hey Lev

Yes I choose "effusive" because of the 'motion' it evokes; like, the dude is showing something lively, gesturing a lot.

The "wand" could be a real 'stick' used for presentations or maybe it is a metaphor.
I considered that case, and "a brush" came to mind.

However, well, I am lacking too much context.
So I did a 'basic' translation for this.

I am still unsure for who this text is meant to.
Are this 'instructions' for the Belgian 'editorial' service?
Or is it some kinda metaphoric text? Like an essay to be posted in the periodical?

I am at loss here

I like "pointer" though as I believe the dude "points" at something . But it removes the 'magical' side of it; that is, if it were a metaphor

Cya

Hey RedShadow!

I was on the watch for your opinion.
And I agree with your view of a metaphorical stick or wand or rod or baton or pointer (even a brush, yes!)

In the end, you are right as well when regretting the lack of context… If I remember rightly, this was my first concern about this thread. So, I have to acknowledge that I’m as lost here as you are.
My Best regards,

Lev

Thank you all so much and my humble apologies for my lack of response. This translation has been difficult but so rewarding as I've "discovered" trails that have lead to more insight.

Let me provide a bit more context - the author, I believe, is referring to "un panorama cylindrique" which he may have seen himself. Here is a link: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panorama_Mesdag

How the "impressario" (which I interpreted as "artistic director" and am not confident with at all) explains the panorama to his audience, is stumping me. I translated "baguette démonstrative" as "demonstrative baton" and again, am not comfortable. Is there a more precise term for a conductor's baton (chef d'orchestre) perhaps?

My apologies as well for the missing context. I am doing this for a novelist/friend who is very nervous about too much information being posted. When one google searches, however, using precisely the same words ...

Hi DazedAndConfused!
Nice to meet you here.
About your question, I do not know a more adequate term for a conductor's baton than, precisely, "baton".

Hey

I like "baton" as it means a wand used by a conductor

Translation edited!