nonnativespeaker dictionary

Paul Hemenway

Feb. 27, 1995, 10:11 p.m. (Message 1116)

The International SCD Dictionary

Some of us were discussing dancing with foreigners in a set.
"Foreigner" is defined here as a "non native language speaker"
(nns) within the set, where a "native language speaker is defined
as the common language of the majority of the members of the set.

(Ok, someone else can carry this to a further exteme than I did.)

CASE a:  I have SC danced in at least two countries where I did not speak
the language and it took half an evening before I understood such simple
terms as "down the middle and up" and "first couple".  

Case b:  Many times we have danced in sets at St. Andrews Summer School, for
example, with between one and seven foreigners in the set.  MANY of those
time the set fell apart even though we knew the dance or understood the
briefing, because even the excellent dancers in the set could not follow the
directions and we (the set) got completely lost.  A few simple words in
the native language of the set would have done wonders for everyone.

Therefore, we would like to compile a reasonably small multilingual dictionary
of SCD terms commonly used, to be used by those of us who either find
ourselves in situations a) or b) above.

The translation into any language should come from a native-speaker
of that language, preferably a teacher or someone who recaps (briefs)
[English vs American, even!] dances in that language.  Pronounciation
guides would be extremely helpful.

The languages which would start the list are (in the order we thought of
them):  French, Spanish, Japanese, Dutch, German, Italian, 
Swedish, Norwegian, Danish. 

I am offering to try to pull any contributions together.  I will give 
credit to anyone who contributes.  You may want to send contributions to
me directly.  Please use my address in austin:

xxxx@xxxxx.xx.xxxxxx.xxx

I culled the following terms (some duplication) from the RSCDS Manual Index,
with a perusal through the text, particularly the chapter on Formations.
I did not look at individual dances for common instructions:  the list
already seems sufficient for a "Start".  I added a few items at random.
I appologize for any duplications.  

Comments and suggestions are welcome.  Particularly missing phrases or words.

Thanks.

paul


Here goes:

Advance and Retire
Allemande
Back to Back
Balance in Line
Bow and Curtsey
Common Schottische
Corner
Cross over (giving right/left hands)
Crown triangles
Curtsey
Double Triangles
Figure of eight
Foot Positions--first, second, third, fourth, 4th intermediate, 4th behind
Grand Chain
Hands Across (Right, Left)(3,4,half way)
Hand round (3,4,6,8)(and back, to the left, to the right) (half way)
Highland Schottische (step, poussette)
Jig
Reel
Strathspey
Hornpipe
Rant
Knot, the (2 couple, 3 couple)
Ladies Chain (half ladies chain)
Lead
Down the middle (and up)(and back)
Pas de Basque
Phrasing
Men's Chain (half)
Down
Up
Top
Bottom
Right
Left
Corner-Partner-Corner-Partner
Cast (off, up, back, 1,2 places)
Beat(s)
Bar(s)
times through
couple
set (noun)
set (verb)
Music (live, recorded)
Dance (noun)
Dance (verb)
Petronella (turn)
Turn (by the...)
Across the dance.
Polka
Poussette (half way, right round)
Progression
Round-the-room dance
Promenade
Quadrille
four-some reel, eightsome reel, sixteensome reel
Reel of 3 (right shoulder, left shoulder, across the dance, on the sides,
Reel of 3 (with corners)
Reel of 4 (on the sides, with 1st corners, with 2nd corners, interlocking,
Reel of 4 (across the dance, diagonal)
first corner position
second corner position
Rhythm
Rights and Lefts (Rights and Lefts for 3 couples)
Rondel, the
RSCDS
Running Step
Schottische
SCD
Set and Link
Set and Rotate
Setting in Line
Setting Step
Skip Change of Step
Slip Step
Spoke, The
Spurtle
Square Dance
square set
n-couple dance (2,3,4,5,6)
Step up, step down (eg. 2nd couple step up)
Step
Targe, the
Tourne'e
Travelling step
Wheel
Partner
Pulling back on the right/left shoulder
nearer hands joined
right hands joined
take nearer hands (right hands)
set advancing
for (two) bars
for (one) bar
half (way round, e.g.)
one quarter
three quarters
all the way round
dance in (out)
out to place
strathspey travelling step
strathspey setting step
hop
skip
close
lift
couple (1st, 2nd, 3d, 4th,5th, 6th,7th)
borrow
turn (by the right/left, with both hands)
turn and cast
set and cast
corner chain
set to and turn corners
set to corners and partner
hello-goodbye setting
General Stuart's setting
General Stewart's setting 
cross over
en ronde
figure of 8 (on the side, across the dance, around 2nd couple)(half, double)
grand chain (for 3,4 couples)
Pass right/left shoulder
Give right(left) shoulder
face up
face down
Lady, Man (1st, second, third, fourth, fifth)
own side
opposite side
original place
men's side
ladies' side