Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Portuguese term or phrase:
obras-de-arte (in this context)
English translation:
special engineering works
Added to glossary by
kashew
Nov 4, 2010 11:21
13 yrs ago
2 viewers *
Portuguese term
United States
Each translation a gem!
Native in: English (Variant: US) 
Works in: Spanish to English, Portuguese to English
obras-de-arte (in this context)
Portuguese to English
Tech/Engineering
Architecture
Public works for drainage control
This is from a list of public engineering works for drainage control. I've come across the term before, but I can't recall how I translated it - and I know it wasn't 'artworks' - that's not the answer I'm looking for. See below.
Drenagem superficial (sarjetas, bocas-de-lobo, descidas d'água)
Bueiros
Redes pluviais tubulares
Canalizações
Obras-de-arte especiais
Drenagem superficial (sarjetas, bocas-de-lobo, descidas d'água)
Bueiros
Redes pluviais tubulares
Canalizações
Obras-de-arte especiais
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 | special engineering works |
kashew
|
| 4 | construction work |
R. Alex Jenkins
|
| 4 | special public works |
Nick Taylor
|
| 4 | civil engineering works |
Airton J Souza
|
| 3 | custom engineering |
T o b i a s
|
Change log
Nov 20, 2010 16:07: kashew Created KOG entry
Proposed translations
24 mins
Selected
special engineering works
Na área da construção fala-se em obra de arte (neste contexto habitualmente grafado obra-de-arte no Brasil[1]) para designar construções realizadas por artífices (obras de artífice=obras de arte); ou de tipo "especial", únicas, por oposição às construções "normais", um edifício ou uma casa por exemplo. - Wiki
Note from asker:
| Thanks for the explanation! I have found another passage that specifically says: "obras de arte especiais e correntes" |
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
R. Alex Jenkins
: You did not read my explanation.
1 min
|
|
I have now!
|
|
| neutral |
Nick Taylor
: I don't think special should be in there
1 min
|
|
So you are saying what's "especiais" in PT is normal in EN?
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "I appreciate your explanation, though I did use 'custom', which works better in my document."
5 mins
R. Alex Jenkins
Brazil
Brazil
Native in English
Brazil
Translator and Editor
Native in: English
Works in: Portuguese to English, Spanish to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
28
construction work
special (civil) construction work.
Along those lines. Best of luck :)
Along those lines. Best of luck :)
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
kashew
: I think special must be in there - like your explanation :-)
That's why I wouldn't agree for your answer "construction work".
14 mins
|
|
Did you read my explanation ??
|
|
| neutral |
Nick Taylor
: I don't think special should be in there.
20 mins
|
|
Great, Nick.
|
30 mins
Nick Taylor
Native in English
Works in field
Portuguese to English, English to Portug
Native in: English 
Works in: Portuguese to English, English to Portuguese
Related KudoZ points
:
172
special public works
special public works - as the original has it - my apologies to kashew et al
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 33 mins (2010-11-04 11:54:29 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xitem=104721&CtNode=415
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 33 mins (2010-11-04 11:54:29 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xitem=104721&CtNode=415
1 hr
Airton J Souza
Brazil
Brazil
Native in Portuguese
Specializes in field
Brazil
Responsible approach and accuracy
Native in: Portuguese
Works in: English to Portuguese, Portuguese to English, Spanish to Portuguese
Related KudoZ points
:
8
civil engineering works
Guidelines for Technical Audit of Civil Engineering Works. 147-148 ..... The budget for Civil Engineering works shall be compiled under the following heads ...
http://www.easterncoal.gov.in/rightstoinfo/manucivileng.pdf
What is Civil Engineering?
Civil Engineering is considered to be the oldest engineering field. Civil Engineering includes the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of the infrastructure that surrounds us and is the underpinning of our society. Our infrastructure includes roads, airports, railroads, buildings, bridges, water and wastewater treatment plants, sewers, drainage, flood control, water supply, landfills, and many other facilities. Most everything civil engineers do affects our daily lives in many ways.
Where do civil engineers work?
Most civil engineers work for consulting firms (which design projects and produce plans and specifications for building them) or government agencies (ranging from cities to the federal government). Some might join the military or work for manufacturers (such as pump, pipe, or steel building manufacturers). Initially in their careers, most civil engineers work on design, but generally as they gain more responsibility, they manage projects and do little engineering design. Other areas in which civil engineers work include sales, teaching, and research.
http://www.unm.edu/~civil/whatcivil.html
http://www.easterncoal.gov.in/rightstoinfo/manucivileng.pdf
What is Civil Engineering?
Civil Engineering is considered to be the oldest engineering field. Civil Engineering includes the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of the infrastructure that surrounds us and is the underpinning of our society. Our infrastructure includes roads, airports, railroads, buildings, bridges, water and wastewater treatment plants, sewers, drainage, flood control, water supply, landfills, and many other facilities. Most everything civil engineers do affects our daily lives in many ways.
Where do civil engineers work?
Most civil engineers work for consulting firms (which design projects and produce plans and specifications for building them) or government agencies (ranging from cities to the federal government). Some might join the military or work for manufacturers (such as pump, pipe, or steel building manufacturers). Initially in their careers, most civil engineers work on design, but generally as they gain more responsibility, they manage projects and do little engineering design. Other areas in which civil engineers work include sales, teaching, and research.
http://www.unm.edu/~civil/whatcivil.html
4 hrs
custom engineering
Having looked at the other references and the context, I think this might suffice. Or "custom engineering work" or "custom engineering solutions".
Example sentence:
the French company Edico offers a custom engineering solution for the construction of dry-build retaining walls up to 66 feet in height that are very environmentally friendly, developers contend.
Our accomplishments are ample evidence of the firm's ability to produce quality custom engineering work of substantial size within reasonable time frames and construction budgets.
Reference:
http://concreteproducts.com/mag/concrete_masonry/
http://www.buildingtradesdir.com/engineer/iowa_engineers/iowa.html
Discussion
Now I'm curious about two points:
@kashew: How would you translate "artífices" in English? That might help me understand better. More to the point: what is the underlying meaning of "arte" here? I don't know if it refers to the art of engineering, custom-designed engineering works, or to the product of the engineer's design. Any thoughts on this?
http://www.proz.com/kudoz/portuguese_to_english/construction...