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Translation Research Facilities at the Renovated George Pompidou Center
The Geoges Pompidou Center was opened to the public on January 1st 2000 after twenty seven months of renovation work. Noted externally as an oil refinery, and its raving discussions by street activists, the refurnished George Pompidou with its new interior design, cozy chairs and book shelves offer free and unconventional research facilities for the cash strapped freelance translator. The renovated center has computer terminals, internet access and a National Art Museum.
On the sixth floor of the renovated George Pompidou Center is a vast collection of 20th century art and on the first floor is the reference library. Translators working on a tight budget will find the reference section of tremendous importance when looking for international biographical materials. Because materials such as the Who is Who in the world, who is who in science and the Almanac of famous people are available here. At the extreme end of the section are volumes of Directories in Print, the Encyclopedia of Associations and the famous Gale directory of publications and the broadcast media.
The third floor has immense translation documents on shelf number 803.4 which covers books on computer, linguistic studies and academic translations. The Oxford English dictionary, and the Robert Colins Senior are well arranged for public use but German translators have to go to shelf number 83.3. A common feature between the third and the second floors that translators will find useful is the presence of general interest materials behind the information desk. However, its on the second floor that translators will find first hand technical research resources in the form of the Dictionary of the Graphic Arts Industry, Twenty volumes of the Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology and Elsevier oil and gas documentation. An essential source that will reduce the frustration of first time/seasoned translators, when it comes to seismic data information, 3d texts and drilling floor instructions.
Going Outdoor
Paris is not only noted for its elegant boutiques and sun bleached tiny paths but also its meandering avenues of chestnut trees. The city of cafes offer forums for convivial conversations on any sun dappled day and the fresh waters of its public fountains add freshness and animation to the city features as from the last days of spring. The radiant colors of flowers evenly distributed constitute other interesting elements of most public parks when delicate fingers tend the lawns not to mention the flurry of festivals starting with the festival of music in June.The Jardin des Plantes in the heart of the fifth arrondissement is the oldest Paris park because its creation was due to the proposal of the royal botanist who wanted botanical/recreational facilities for Parisians. Currently known as the Natural History Museum, its numerous monuments and busts offer contrasting features to the nearby Arena of Lutece famous for its Roman Empire gladiatorial combats. However, the turning point in the history of Paris public parks can be traced to the efforts of Napoleon III, the audacious prefect Haussmann and the strategy of the city urban planners when the Paris region was created in the late seventies
Tropical reptiles reproduced in the form of concrete, constitute the first attraction at the Jardin des Halles. Then there are elephants made of shrubs and plants with the intention of giving children that equatorial view without leaving Paris. In the heart of the Latin quarter, the Jardin du Luxembourg is famous for its Medecis fountain, the Monceau park for its pre French revolution fiscal barriers and the Andre Citroen Park as the most modern, by virtue of its landscape.
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