Postuler, succursale

G. D.C1Kwiziq community member

Postuler, succursale

My dictionary says that "postuler" is a transitive verb that takes a direct object, so shouldn't it be "postuler un poste"? But the Kwiziq translation says "postuler POUR un poste." 

Also, what's the difference between filiale and succursale?

Asked 2 years ago
AurélieNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour Gee !

 

Thanks for your message. I must admit that my native French colleagues and I had to look this point up, and here's why: nowadays, in colloquial French, people never use "postuler" as a transitive verb, but use "postuler pour" and "postuler à" instead. We even asked our family and friends who confirmed they would never use "postuler [quelque chose]".
Of course, you are correct that L'Académie Française recommends the transitive usage, however here I think we are definitely in one of those occurrences where the Académie is behind the curve of modern colloquial usage becoming the new norm :)

 

However, as it is still "technically" correct, I've now updated the question accordingly, but do keep in mind that you should favour the intransitive options when speaking to French people ;) 

I hope that's helpful!

Bonne journée ! 

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Gee, a quick Google research revealed this link: 

https://www.academie-francaise.fr/postuler-postuler-pour

 

Similarly, I just googled "filiale vs. succursale" and got this:

https://www.maupard.com/difference-between-a-afilliale-and-a-succursale/

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

If I've understood the AF article correctly, then the Kwiziq translation is wrong, exactly as Gee said? 

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I didn't do the exercise, only posted links to decide the questions Gee asked.

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

It was a useful link, but it seems to support what Gee said, that there is a mistake in the translation. So I don't understand how someone on the Kwiziq staff can just mark this as the correct answer, without any further comment. 

CécileNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hi Alan & Gee, 

I have checked the exercise and the translation of one of our foreign branches is translated by -

une de nos succursales/agences à l'étranger 

which doesn't appear to be wrong to me although I would say that 'agences' in business terms is used for branches of banks normally.

From my understanding, the difference between 'filiale' ( subsidiary) and 'succursale' (branch) is the same as in English.

A large company will have branches ( with the same name normally) in different parts of the same country or abroad. They are a whole and the same company.

https://www.legalstart.fr/fiches-pratiques/holding/filiale-et-succursale/#ancre1 

parent company ( société mère) may have subsidiaries ( filiales) which will have different names and entities. The following wiki page gives the example of Daimler AG -

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9_m%C3%A8re#:~:text=%C3%80%20titre%20d%27exemple%2CDaimler,m%C3%A8re%20de%20sa%20filiale%20Free

There are very different legal and fiscal implications.

Hope this helps!

 

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Thanks Cécile, but I was talking about postuler POUR un poste

G. D. asked:

Postuler, succursale

My dictionary says that "postuler" is a transitive verb that takes a direct object, so shouldn't it be "postuler un poste"? But the Kwiziq translation says "postuler POUR un poste." 

Also, what's the difference between filiale and succursale?

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