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diesel particulate filters v. diesel particle filters

English translation: "diesel particulate filters" more exact, although "diesel particle filters" is used colloquially

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:diesel particulate filters v. diesel particle filters
Selected answer:"diesel particulate filters" more exact, although "diesel particle filters" is used colloquially
Entered by: Allison Wright (X)

21:32 Dec 31, 2010
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Tech/Engineering - Automotive / Cars & Trucks / exhaust emissions
English term or phrase: diesel particulate filters v. diesel particle filters
Main target audience: general public.

I am translating De-En for a public transport website. Main target audience: general public/international English-speaking tourists.

My translation: All buses have been fitted with *diesel particulate filters* to reduce emissions.

A sentence found elsewhere on the website (i.e. not the same source text!):
"..and our buses of course meet the strict EU exhaust emission standards with their *diesel-particle filters*."

I have done a Google search, and read Wikipaedia. (I have encountered a fair number of filters in the real world too!)

In this case I am not convinced that "more Google hits makes it better" applies.
My intuition tells me most people find it too much effort to say "particulate", so it has been shortened colloquially to "particle".

Which term would be more correct?
Which term would be more appropriate?
Allison Wright (X)
Portugal
Local time: 09:30
diesel particulate filter more exact
Explanation:
Both convey the same meaning, but "particulate filter" is more exact. Also, try this search:

"diesel * filter" -oil

and look at the first 50 or so entries. more is better will once again apply...

Websters

par£tic£u£late
Function:adjective
Etymology:Latin particula small part, particle + English -ate * more at PARTICLE

1 : existing in the form of minute separate particles *the transport of particulate matter by the atmosphere— Nelson Dingle* *the application of high-energy beams of T particulate radiation— Nature*
2 : of or relating to distinct particles *the particulate theory of heredity— Julian Huxley* *the radioactivity in fallout is largely in particulate form— Merril Eisenbud*e

particle
3 a : a very small portion of something material : minute quantity : tiny fragment *her face was T beaded with small particles of rain— Thomas Wolfe* *each particle of the tape is magnetized to saturation— Sound Recording & Reproduction* *particles of sand* b : a very small part of something having an immaterial nature : the smallest possible portion or amount of something *there is not a particle of truth in any of these statements— M.F.A.Montagu* *exertion of every particle of strength she possessed— C.S.Forester* *a voice from which every particle of emotion was painfully excluded— Thomas Hardy*
Selected response from:

David Russi
United States
Local time: 02:30
Grading comment
Thank you David. I loved the way your citations went from "diesel particulate filters" to "Thomas Hardy". Thank you for your quick reply. Thanks to Brigitte and Sharon too for your comments.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +3diesel particulate filter more exact
David Russi


  

Answers


34 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
diesel particulate filter more exact


Explanation:
Both convey the same meaning, but "particulate filter" is more exact. Also, try this search:

"diesel * filter" -oil

and look at the first 50 or so entries. more is better will once again apply...

Websters

par£tic£u£late
Function:adjective
Etymology:Latin particula small part, particle + English -ate * more at PARTICLE

1 : existing in the form of minute separate particles *the transport of particulate matter by the atmosphere— Nelson Dingle* *the application of high-energy beams of T particulate radiation— Nature*
2 : of or relating to distinct particles *the particulate theory of heredity— Julian Huxley* *the radioactivity in fallout is largely in particulate form— Merril Eisenbud*e

particle
3 a : a very small portion of something material : minute quantity : tiny fragment *her face was T beaded with small particles of rain— Thomas Wolfe* *each particle of the tape is magnetized to saturation— Sound Recording & Reproduction* *particles of sand* b : a very small part of something having an immaterial nature : the smallest possible portion or amount of something *there is not a particle of truth in any of these statements— M.F.A.Montagu* *exertion of every particle of strength she possessed— C.S.Forester* *a voice from which every particle of emotion was painfully excluded— Thomas Hardy*

David Russi
United States
Local time: 02:30
Meets criteria
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Thank you David. I loved the way your citations went from "diesel particulate filters" to "Thomas Hardy". Thank you for your quick reply. Thanks to Brigitte and Sharon too for your comments.
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, Brigitte


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Jack Doughty
1 hr
agree  BrigitteHilgner: I translate from English into German (car manufacturers, one fuel supplier, environmental texts). So far, all these texts used "particulate". In this context, I've only encountered "particle" in the general media. Happy New Year!
9 hrs
agree  Sharon Toh, MITI MCIL: Yes, particulate relates to distinct particles produced by one source, which is, in this case, diesel. It also refers to an aggregate of particles.
16 hrs
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