Novel = un roman.
'Graphic' in English means very clear and powerful, vivid, explicit.
Therefore a graphic novel = un roman graphique or un roman illustré.
une BD = a comic strip.
Novel = un roman.
'Graphic' in English means very clear and powerful, vivid, explicit.
Therefore a graphic novel = un roman graphique or un roman illustré.
une BD = a comic strip.
Bonjour à tous !
I must admit I was surprised at your many comments on the term "graphic novel".
My English husband and I are avid readers of comics (mostly him) and graphic novels (us both), which are simply defined as "longer" forms of comic-style books. That's also how they're referred to in book shops, or even on Amazon.
Here are dictionary entries confirming this definition:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/graphic-novel
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/graphic-novel
The English term "graphic novel" refers to a comic strip, i.e., a novel drawn in sequential images. The term "grahic" does not mean "explicit" in this context.
Whatever wordreference or any other reference may say, the overwhelming majority of people in my part of the English speaking world would be aghast at the suggestion of a ‘graphic novel’ for a child ! Do you mean a ‘picture book’, an ‘illustrated novel’, or a ‘comic strip’ ?
Here is what Wikipedia has on this:
A graphic novel is a long-form, fictional work of sequential art. The term graphic novel is often applied broadly, including fiction, non-fiction, and anthologized work, though this practice is highly contested by comics scholars and industry professionals. It is, at least in the United States, typically distinct from the term comic book, which is generally used for comics periodicals and trade paperbacks (see American comic book).[1][2]
That is a technical description of ‘graphic novel, ’ but if parents were sent a school notice that their child was about to study a ‘graphic novel’, there would be a lot of consternation and complaint, at least in some English-speaking parts of the world.
There are many fields and situations in which technical language has a quite different connotation to the everyday understanding of the same terms.
I agree with the rest of the native English speakers. The term graphic novel would never connote any sort of illustrated book, particularly for a child. Instead it connotes a text laden with descriptions of violence, difficult visual scenes, and perhaps even sexual matter. As a parent, I would be shocked if someone gave a nine-year old a "graphic novel."
I agree that the usage of the term 'Graphic Novel' is not done in everyday language. It surprised me when I read it too and I would just say a 'Comic Strip'.
Novel = un roman.
'Graphic' in English means very clear and powerful, vivid, explicit.
Therefore a graphic novel = un roman graphique or un roman illustré.
une BD = a comic strip.
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