Translations Royale

A travelogue of Fleming’s French in Casino Royale

We at CommanderBond.net offer to you a list of translations of the French words and phrases that pepper the novel Casino Royale. We say pepper because they add flavour to an already wonderful text without overburdening the text (and the reader) with the extra work of having to figure out the translations. Fleming constructed sentences that did not depend on the reader understanding what the word meant in French to get the full meaning. On the contrary, the reader can get the meaning of the word in French from the context of the sentence.

Nevertheless, it is curious to see what the literal and every day meanings of these words and phrases are. You will note that some words do not have any translations. Those words have become part of the English language wholesale, without translation, but with correct meaning attached to them.

salle privée	private room
Le Chiffre	The figure / The number / The cypher
caisse	cashier’s desk
caissier	cashier
chef de partie	chief of the game
soirée	party
concierge	caretaker
merci	thank you
monsieur	mister
vestiaire	cloakroom
Deuxième Bureau	Second office (The French office of military intellegence)
Royale les Eaux	Royal Water
maisons de passe	a house you need a pass for
Inferieure	lower
Loi tendant a la Ferméture des Maisons de Tolerance et au Renforcement de la Lutte contre la Proxénitisme	Law tending to the Closing of the Brothels and ot the Reinforcement of the Fight against Pimping
the Société des Bains de Mers de Royale	the Society of Baths of the Sea of Royale
en brosse	crewcut
trente-et-quarante	thirty-and-forty: A popular French casino card game in which the dealer deals rows of cards, one red, one black. The player bets on which row will be closest to a total of thirty-one after both rows total greater than thirty.
cagnotte	kitty (as in gambling)
L’Ennemi Écoute	The Enemy Listens
Suivi	follow-up
grippe	seize up
Mairie	Town Hall
Vieux-port	Old port
Vitrines	Windows / Displays
couturiers	fashion designers
plage	beach
route nationale	truck road / national route
heure de aperitif	Drink hour / Cocktail hour
Moi, j’adore le “dry”	Me, I like the “dry”
fait avec du Gordon’s bien entendu	With Gordon’s of course
D’accord Daisy, Mais tu sais un zeste de citron…	I agree Daisy. But you know a piece of lemon peel…
fine a l’eau	an aged brandy and water
soie sauvage	wild silk
sabretache	A type of leather case once used by cavalrymen
porte cochère	carriage door
alors	then
bonne chance	good luck
merde	shit
Sacre	damned
Mademoiselle	Miss
Rouge Et Noir	Red And Black
huissier	usher
Oui, monsieur	Yes, sir
pate de foie gras	liver pate
Langouste	Lobster
Mais n’enculons pas des mouches	But let us not nit pick / But we won’t split hairs
Maitre d’hotel	Matron of the hotel
rogon de veau	beef kidney
pommes soufflés	apple souffles
fraises des bois	wild strawberries
tournedos	a small, round steak slice taken from the heart of the tenderloin
sause Bearnaise	Bearnaise sauce
coeur d’artichaut	artichoke heart
sommelier	wine waiter or steward
parfait	perfect
vendeuse	saleswoman
vingt-et-un	twenty-one / blackjack
Messieurs mesdames, les jeuz sont faits. Un banco de cinq mille	Gentleman, ladies, the bets are made. A bank value of five thousand.
Le banco est fait	The bank value is made.
Non	No
Neuf à la banque	Nine for the bank
Et le sept	And seven
Un banco d’un million	A bank value of one million
Un banco de deux millions	A bank value of two million
Banco	Bank (accept the bank value)
Un banco de quatre millions	A bank value of four million
Sept à la banque	Seven for the bank
Et cinq	And five
Un banco de huit millions	A bank value of eight million
Le jeu est fait	The play is made
Un banco de trente-duex millions	A bank value of thirty-two million
Excusez moi, monsieur. La mise?	Excuse me, sir. The bet?
Mes excuses, Monsieur Bond	My apologies, Mr. Bond
Un Deux Trois Quatre Cinq Six Sept	One Two Three Four Five Six Seven
La partie continue	The game continues
Neuf. Le rouge gagne, impair et manqué	Nine. The red gains, odd and misses
Huit à la banque	Eight for the bank
Et le neuf	And the nine
Un banco de dix millions	A bank of ten million
Le neuf	The nine
Et le baccarat	And a count of zero
La Vie en Rose	Life in Pink / Life Through Rose Coloured Glasses A french song performed most notably by Edith Piaf. English versions were recorded by Louis Armstrong and Paula Cole
pour épater la bourgeoisie	To impress the middle-class
banquettes	benches / wall seats
allez	go
coupez	cross
Les Noctambules	The Night Birds (The phrase can also mean The Insomniacs or The Party Animals)
Sonnez SVP	Ring the bell please
art nouveau	new art
vite	quickly
belotte	a popular French card game that is a variant of bridge and played with 2, 3, or 4 players
mise en scène	setting in scene
trou sur mer	hole on sea
L’Auberge du Fruit Défendu, crustaces, fritures	The Inn of the Forbidden Fruit, seafood (shellfish), fried fish
Madame la patronne	The lady owner
Fruit Défendu	Forbidden Fruit
vin triste	an alcohol-induced melancholy
auberge	inn
Pour lui	For him

You will note that some words are rather curious, both in their French origins and in the English translations. For example, there is the phrase “mais n’enculons pas des mouches,” which Bond tells us is a vulgar way of saying “But we won’t split hairs.” Its literal translation is “But let us not nit pick.” What is vulgar about that? Has Bond picked one too many nits out of a Bond girl’s hair? Of course, by vulgar Bond may just have meant “not proper French”.

Other phrases are simply curious to watch as they go through the process of translation. Maisons de passé literally means “houses of the past,” but in every day conversation would be “houses of prostitution.” If you think about it, the literal phrase makes sense. Houses of the Past makes for an interesting literal translation since Prostitution is frequently referred to as the world’s oldest profession, so yes, the past is happily and passionately acknowledged in such a place. Also, in these brothels men can recapture their youthful past where they were free to have sex with whatever woman they wanted, whenever they wanted. The only modern intrusion is in these masions, they must pay for the privledge of reclaiming their past.

And then there is this curious quote from M., which comes in chapter two of Casino Royale. M. has just read a small passage of the dossier written by the Head of S., where said head of section S uses a little too much French for M.’s liking:

This is not the Berlitz School of Languages, Head of S. If you want to show off your knowledge of foreign jaw-breakers, be good enough to provide a crib. Better still, write in English. – Casino Royale Chapter Two

Fleming had to know that his audience would probably not have much more than an elementary understanding of French. Moreover, that understanding was probably forgotten as soon as the reader was done with his (and I won’t write her, because I don’t think Fleming was thinking of persons such as myself when he was writing), schooling. So why would Mr. Fleming put us through a refresher course in French?

Simply put, we the readers were being introduced to something that Fleming would reveal later on—Bond’s flawless capacity to speak French. As we learn in Fleming’s novels and in Pearson’s “biography” of Bond, Bond can speak perfect French and German. If Bond can communicate in the native language, why wouldn’t he give himself the ease and advantage of speaking in that language? Indeed speaking in the native tongue would help him to blend in more, to slip into the shadows more easily.

Also, in writing it is always better to show rather than to tell the reader something. After watching Bond speak in colloquial or every day French, we get a greater understanding of who the man is and how he operates.

Bond and Fleming were well-traveled men. Why shouldn’t they use what they know, and then teach it to us? We could only be the better for the lesson.

Royale Mission: S-Branch Debriefing

A reader of Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale is presented the story of one of agent James Bond’s earliest missions. But, at the fiftieth anniversary of the novel’s publication it can be asked, is Fleming’s take to this story the only one? To answer, we present this recently released document which gives an overview of this mission from the files of the Secret Service’s lesser-known S-Branch. The S-Branch—among other tasks—is charged with the debriefing of agents and the chronicling the various missions carried out by the members of the United Kingdom’s Secret Intelligence Service. This document covers agent 007’s mission at Royale-les-Eaux.

It must be noted that this document will tell the reader details of the story that he or she may not want to know before reading Fleming’s novel. We recommend that you read the novel Casino Royale before reading this document.

CONFIDENTIAL     2Oth July, l95l. to: M from: Chief of S-Branch cc: Head of Section S., Head of Section F.   Subject: Debriefing of agents and assessment of Royale-les-Eaux mission. Mission introduced by Head of Station S. (Soviet Union). Plot: To discredit a Soviet agent of SMERSH and who had embezzled funds from Communist controlled Trade Union. See Brief of Head of Station S for more details. Mission Success: Moderately Successful. (see comments.) Locations: (see map)   Agents interviewed: 6th July, l95l and 18th July, l95l.

click to access map
from SIS archives

-2- HMSS- Agents involved: OO7 – James Bond Section:   Double-O Description:   Height: 6″O’ – Weight: l65 pounds – Hair: Black, thick – Eyes: Grey – Distinguishing characteristic: 3 inch scar on right cheek Cover:   Jamaican millionaire Medical condition:   Agent OO7 performance on this mission was marginal. Originally chosen because of his skill at cards and gambling, OO7 managed to lose the entire bankroll provided by His Majesty. Only through the intervention of the C.I.A. and a stroke of good fortune did OO7 manage to win back this money. Agent OO7 also failed to notice that the opposition might have penetrated his ranks, further jeopardising the mission. The damage done to this agent’s genitalia is likely to leave him with no sex drive and possibly impotent. The “marking” on his hand may also make OO7 impotent as a field agent and surely as a double-O.

-3-

3O3O – Vesper Lynd DECEASED Section:   Station S (Soviet) – Personal assistant to Head of Station S. Mission:   Assigned to assist OO7 and organise communications. Fluent in French. Description:   Hair: Black – Eyes: Blue Cover:   Radio salesman’s assistant Medical condition:   Deceased – apparent suicide Assessment:   It appears–at least upon first examination–that agent 3O3O had been compromised

l860 – Name Need-to-know Section:   Station F (France) Undercover Agent – Eurasian female. Cover:   Mistress of Le Chiffre. Assessment:   l86O performed flawlessly. She has remained undercover and is currently seeking new opportunities to gather intelligence.

– Unnamed double agent in Strausbourg

-4-

Additional Personnel Used:
Fawcett – Stationed in Jamaica. Used to relay information to OO7. Alias used: Charles Dasilva

Two nurses from Medical Branch dispersed to scene to tend to agent OO7

Staff involved:
M
Bill Tanner – Chief Of Staff
Clements – Head of Double-0 section
Miss Moneypenny – secretary to M
Miss Trueblood – secretary of Double-0 section
Head of Station S
Station S second-in-command
The Archivist

Friendly Agents:

U.S.A. – Combined Intelligence Agency: Felix Leiter – Ex-U.S. Marine – Stationed in Fontainebleau, France Description: Height: approx. 6″3′ – Hair: Dirty blonde – Eyes: Grey

France – Deuxième Bureau: René Mathis Mathis has worked this agent OO7 on past missions (see file ll4-54123-OO7-a). Description already on file. Two other agents under Mathis’ command participated in the operation Doctor dispatched from Paris to tend to OO7

-5-

Opposition Agents:

Target: Le Chiffre   AKA The Number, Herr Nummer, Herr Ziffer etc. Christian name unknown. Deceased Russian agent (Leningrad Section III) and paymaster of communist controlled trade union Description: Height: approx. 5″8′ – Weight: approx. 250 pounds – Hair: Red-Brown cut in crew-cut

Targets subordinates:
Gunman #1: “Basil”
Identity unknown. Deceased.
Description: Height: approx. 6″2′ – Weight: approx. 140 pounds
Only clue to identity is OO7 overhearing Le Chiffre calling this man Basil.

Gunman #2: “The Corsican”
Identity unknown. Deceased.
Description: Height: approx. 5″7′ – Wears a black moustache – Teeth are in poor condition.
Most probably an expert in ju-jitsu.

The Muntz Family. Mr. Muntz is German. Mrs. Muntz is possibly Czechoslovakian

Three Bulgarian assassins. These men were to be paid 2 million Francs to kill agent 007. Their failure resulted in the death of two of the men. The third man is in custody of the Deuxième Bureau.

-6-

SMERSH:

Agent 007 describes an Agent of SMERSH with a hard, wrinkled face. Carries a silenced pistol and a stiletto. This agent to be believed to be a SMERSH operative named Oborin (based on possible photographic identification by Agent 007).

SMERSH Agent using the name Adolph Gettler Cover as a Swiss watchmaker Description: Age: 35 to 45 – Hair: dark brown hair brushed back – Wears monocle-like black patch over eye. Has large, white teeth.

 
 
 

-7-

TIMELINE
c. 12th May, l95l……

Agent provides Target’s plan to Station F. Station F. relays intel to Station S.

31st May, l95l………

Head of Station S. presents mission to M. Agent OO7 Assigned.

2nd June, l95l………

Head of Station F. recommends agent 3O3O for assignment.

3rd June, l95l………

M approves assignment of agent 3O3O.

11th June, l951……..

Agent OO7 arrives at Royale-les-Eaux.

15th June, 1951……..

Agent OO7 meets with Mathis of Deuxième Bureau. Agent OO7 meets with Agent 3O3O. Bulgarian assassins attempt hit on Agent OO7. Two die in bungled attempt. Agent 007 meets with Leiter of the C.I.A. Third Bulgar arrested at roadblock. Agent OO7 engages Le Chiffre in Baccarat. “The Corsican” attempts to coerce agent OO7 to drop out of Baccarat game. Full Moon in June.

16th June, 1951……..

Agent 3O3O taken by Le Chiffre and his gunmen. Agent OO7 pursues Le Chiffre’s car and falls in to tack carpet trap. Agent OO7 captured by Le Chiffre Agent OO7 tortured by Le Chiffre. SMERSH agent Oborin(?) kills Le Chiffre and his two gunmen. SMERSH agent Oborin(?) marks Agent OO7. Deuxième Bureau finds agent OO7’s wrecked automobile. Deuxième Bureau finds agents OO7 and 3O3O and bodies of Le Chiffre and his men. Agent OO7 placed in nursing home for treatment of his injuries.

-8-

TIMELINE cont.
17th June, 1951……..

Deuxième Bureau Doctor and two service nurses arrive at Royale-les-Eaux to treat agent OO7.

19th June, 1951……..

Agent OO7 wakes from unconsciousness.

7th July, 1951……..

Agent OO7 released from nursing home. Agents OO7 and 3O3O travel to an inn south of Royale to relax and recover.

16th July, 1951……..

Agent 3O3O found dead of apparent suicide with note confessing that she had supplied intelligence to the Soviets.

EQUIPMENT
OO7:
Gun(s):
  .25 Beretta with Skeleton Grip
  .38 Colt Police Positive with sawn barrel
  .45 Colt Army Special
  Personal:
    Grey Supercharged Bentley Convertible Coupé.
    Cigarette case- flat gunmetal.
    Ronson lighter – oxidised.

OPPOSITION EQUIPMENT
Automobile(s):
Le Chiffre: black Citroën with front-wheel drive. Equipped with “tack carpet”
Bulgarians: Citroën
Adolph Gettler: Black Peugeot

Other Equipment:
2 square camera cases packed with explosives – one red, one blue.
Macalla Cane with hidden .45 gun
Carpet-beater made from twisted cane – 3-feet long approx.
Carving knife
Stiletto (Oborin(?))
Silenced Russian pistol (Oborin(?))

-9-

BUDGET
(see the Treasurer’s report for detailed budget information.)
Ten million francs issued to agent OO7 in London.
An additional ten million was forwarded to agent OO7 through Jamaican contact.
Agent OO7 reports increasing these stake to twenty-four million francs before the baccarat game with Le Chiffre.
The agent lost all of this stake in the game with Le Chiffre.
The C.I.A. then provided agent OO7 with thirty-two million francs.
Agent OO7 won the game after this and ended with a total of seventy-two million francs.
The agent returned thirty-two million francs to the C.I.A. (note: The C.I.A.
would have had every right to demand all seventy-two million francs that agent OO7 possessed as he had won that money
using the C.I.A.’s moneys. It is only through grace of the U.S. agent that His Majesty is not out all of the money
provided to agent OO7.)

The invoice for work on agent OO7 has yet to be submitted, but it is known that the agent insisted on very high-priced garage services.

It is notable that agent OO7 took every advantage of his cover as a Jamaican millionaire taking the
opportunity to use the moneys provided to dine on cavier and lobster. The agent even seemed to make
a habit of leaving double gratuities to waiters and hotel staff.

-10-

COMMENTS
While this mission can be categorised as a success, its success cannot definitively be laid at the feet of this service. The primary goal of the mission–to stop Le Chiffre from being able to win back the union funds that he had embezzled at the gambling tables of Royale-les-Eaux–was acheived only because of the intervention of U.S. Intelligence. In fact, had agent OO7’s estimations been correct, Le Chiffre could have very nearly achieved his goal of fifty million francs before agent Lieter of the C.I.A. stepped in with additional funds.

After completion of the primary goal, agent OO7 failed to keep up his guard, allowing agent 3O3O to be taken by Le Chiffre. Agent OO7 fell into what by his own description was clearly a trap. The point of whether agent 3O3O was turned or not is moot. Agent OO7 should not have pursued her. His recklessness very nearly toar defeat from the arms of victory.

By agent OO7’s account, he did not crack under the most brutal torture. This however cannot be corroborated as all present at the interigation except agent 007 are now dead.

The rescue of agents OO7 and 3O3O can only be creditted to the mysterious agent of SMERSH, who shot and killed Le Chiffre and his two gunmen. Had this agent decided to he could have most easily shot our agents as well.

-11-

COMMENTS cont.
In addition, I must make a personal protest about the plan to allow Commander Fleming to “fictionalise” the exploits of this mission. Surely, it cannot seam a sane idea to air the service’s dirty linens–as this mission can only be classified–to the general citizenry. This servant of His Majesty, does not feel that any of the service’s dealing should be presented in this format. However, should we wish to procede with this farce, it should be suggested that the adventures of an agent other than number OO7 be used. Agent OOll seems to be a better choice. His recent mission which took him to Siberia and the Artic Sea would be better suited for this treatment than would the Royale-les-Eaux mission.

I implore those making this decision to re-examine the current plan.

 
 
St. John Stillman
Chief of S-Branch
 
 

The 007 Days Of Casino Royale

Some sources say the eleventh of November 1920, some late November of 1924; the day James Bond was born is shrouded in the ever-changing cloud of 007’s world. But the day the character—not the man—was born to this world is solid – 13 April, 1953. It was exactly fifty years ago this Sunday that Ian Fleming’s creation was introduced to us in the novel Casino Royale.

Starting today, CommanderBond.net will spend the week looking at Mr. Fleming’s first masterpiece of fiction. We will examine the book from many angles and hopefully give the fans of Number 007 new ways to appreciate the story that started it all.

And you can join in the discussion; the Blades Library Book Club is currently reading and discussing Casino Royale. A discussion you can join if you sign up. Even if you don’t, we hope you will enjoy CommanderBond.net’s week celebrating 50 years of the first adventure of world’s greatest spy.

Book Club Members: Let's Start Reading

Blade Library Book Club members—if you haven’t already done so—it’s time to start reading Casino Royale. And as you read through the book post your thoughts in the Blades Library forums. Please add “Casino Royale” and the number of the chapter(s) you are discussing in your title.

Not a member yet?

Have you read about the Blades Book Club and are wondering if it is too late to join?

Well, look no further for the answers.

The CommanderBond.net community has started a reading club centered on the Literary Bond tradition. The Blades Library Book Club (the BLBC) will read books featuring James Bond&madash;about one book every two months—and discuss them during and after reading.

For more about the nuts and bolts of the Club, check out this story.

When you are ready to register as a member of BLBC, just sign up for the CBn forums, if you are not signed up already, and then leave a message that you are joining the Book Club in this forum thread.

And that’s all you have to do to join in the discussion. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your participation in the Bond community.

The Blades Library Book Club: Casino Royale

Welcome to The Blades Library Book Club — the place for quality discussions of the books of James Bond!

Every two months a book will be chosen for the club members to read. Once the book is chosen, a thread will be posted listing locations where the novel (or short story collection) can be found. Discussions about the book will go on as the book is read and when it is finished. A separate forum thread will be created for members to post their review and rating of the current book.

All fans of the Literary Bond are eligible for membership. All you need to do to sign up is register for the CBn Forums and then post your name in the sign up thread.

The Book Club’s First Book:^*

In honour of the fiftieth anniversary of the book, the first book chosen for The Blades Club Book Club is:

Casino Royale

*Also being the first James Bond novel it’s as good of a place to start as any.

Obtaining The Book:

Casino Royale is currently being republished so it should not be too difficult for members to find. Most local book stores in the UK and US should either have it on their shelves or be able to special order it. Ordering online should also be quite easy. Casino Royale can be ordered online from the following sources:

• BN.com
• Amazon.co.uk
• Amazon.com

Online sources for other older versions of Casino Royale:

• Bookfinder.com
• Ebay

Discuss other places to buy Casino Royale or where you got your copy in this thread.

Discuss The Book While Reading:

Want to talk about the book while reading it. Post a new thread in The Blades Library. Be sure to title the thread with “Casino Royale” and the chapter number you have read through.

Review And Rate The Book:

After you have finished reading Casino Royale please leave a short—or long—review and rate it in this thread.

 
I hope you enjoy our new Book Club. If you have any questions or suggestions just post them in a new thread. And good reading.

James Bond Novel Auctioned At 11,400 Pounds

Thanks to Sarah for sending in this report.

A first edition copy of Casino Royale has been auctioned off for 11,400 Pounds; a staggering amount believed to be a record for an Ian Fleming book.

Christiaan Jonkers, of the Henley-on-Thames firm, told The London Times: “We specialise in Fleming first editions and we think this is a record for an auction. It really is in immaculate condition.”

Bidding for the 1953 spy thriller was fiercer than a Faberge egg at Sothebys. Only 4,700 first edition copies had been printed. An estimated 5,000 pounds was placed on the novel by the auctioneers Dominic Winter, of Swindon, Wiltshire. But the antiquarian book dealers Bromlea and Jonkers, fending off 12 rival bidders, were happy to more than double that.