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Glossary entry

French term or phrase:

gambas

English translation:

gambas / gamba prawns

Added to glossary by PB Trans
May 23, 2008 07:15
15 yrs ago
12 viewers *
French term

gambas

French to English Other Cooking / Culinary seafood
I am having trouble finding an English (UK English) translation for "gambas".
The menu I am translating also contains "grosses crevettes" in the same seafood platter, which I have translated as "large shrimps".
The possible translations for "gambas" which I have found so far are "giant red shrimp", "giant gamba prawn" and simply "gambas".
A previous glossary entry suggests "gamberoni", but I would have thought that this is the Italian translation of "gambas".
("Crevettes royales" also come up in the menu, and I have translated them as "king prawns", and "crevettes grises" which I have translated as "brown shrimps")

Thanks in advance for your help,

Dominique
Proposed translations (English)
4 +3 gamba prawns
4 +9 Mediterranean (king) prawns
4 +2 prawns (see problem further)
3 -1 jumbo shrimp
Change log

May 23, 2008 07:33: Tony M changed "Level" from "PRO" to "Non-PRO"

May 23, 2008 09:05: Colin Rowe changed "Level" from "Non-PRO" to "PRO"

May 23, 2008 09:35: awilliams changed "Level" from "PRO" to "Non-PRO"

May 28, 2008 11:43: PB Trans Created KOG entry

Jan 11, 2017 03:16: Melissa McMahon changed "Level" from "Non-PRO" to "PRO"

Votes to reclassify question as PRO/non-PRO:

PRO (5): PB Trans, French Foodie, cmwilliams (X), Colin Rowe, Melissa McMahon

Non-PRO (1): writeaway

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Discussion

French Foodie May 23, 2008:
Of course I don't mean to say that etienne and Tassia are not professional! I was simply referring to the debate and references given by the two others :-)
French Foodie May 23, 2008:
conclusively. Extensive Web research by answerers has shown that the answer is not so cut-and-dried. And, probably most importantly, asker is not simply asking for gamba, but gamba in a specific context in comparison with other similar terms.
French Foodie May 23, 2008:
It's rare, but for once I don't agree with Tony :-) If you've got two professional translators (Tony and Pina) with excellent research skills debating a term, then I don't think the answer is so obvious that any bilingual person in the street can answer
French Foodie May 23, 2008:
With the variety of different answers posted and the ensuing discussion, I really don't think this should be classified as non-pro :-)
Angela Dickson (X) May 23, 2008:
as far as I know, in UK English 'shrimps' as a term is used only of the tiddly little brown ones (your 'crevettes grises' here) that get potted in butter. I'd avoid the term otherwise.

Proposed translations

+3
21 mins
Selected

gamba prawns

In your context, given all the different names for prawns, I would specify gambas as "gamba prawns"

Kingdom: Animalia
Taxonomic Rank: Family
Synonym(s): Aristaeidae Wood-Mason, 1891

Aristaeinae Wood-Mason, 1891

Common Name(s): gamba prawns [English]

gamba shrimps [English]
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic...

See also this info for shrimp vs prawns

As used in commercial farming and fishery, the terms prawn and shrimp are generally used interchangeably. In European countries, particularly the United Kingdom, the word “prawns” is far more common on menus than the term “shrimp”, which is generally only used in North America. The term “prawn” is also loosely used to describe any large shrimp, especially those that come 15 (or fewer) to the pound (also called “king prawns”). Australia and other Commonwealth countries follow this European/British use to an even greater extent, using the word “prawn” almost exclusively.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prawns

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Note added at 23 mins (2008-05-23 07:38:59 GMT)
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indoor barbeque
File type:PDF - Download PDF Reader
gamba prawns, rib-eye steak, seared tuna, corn fed chicken, lamb cutlets, ... gamba prawns, spatchcock poussin, corn fed chicken breast, lamb cutlets, ...
www.northwickpark.com/images/northwickpark/northwick_park_m...


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Note added at 24 mins (2008-05-23 07:39:31 GMT)
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Fishers Leith | Edinburgh Restaurants
Read the Fodor's review of Fishers Leith. Post your own review. ... or vegetarian soup followed by North African gamba prawns as big as your hand. ...
www.fodors.com/world/europe/scotland/edinburgh/entity_46105...

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Note added at 27 mins (2008-05-23 07:42:32 GMT)
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More references (links), mostly UK:

The Independent - Print Article
I loved the romance of the Lillie Langtry legends, but I was also smitten with ... Thai stir-fry with huge gamba prawns and strawberries with Jersey cream. ...
www.independent.ie/travel/800th-birthday-party-promises-a-....

EdinburghGuide.com :: View topic - TANTALISE YOUR TASTEBUDS WITH ...
Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in ... lobster, crab, king scallops, gamba prawns, French crevettes, langoustine and ...
www.edinburghguide.com/edgforum/viewtopic.php?p=905

Fishers Features
File type:PDF - Download PDF Reader
Warm Salad of Smoked Trout, New Potatoes and Red Onion dressed with a grain mustard ... Lobster, Crab, King Scallops, Gamba Prawns, French Crevettes, ...
www.fishersbistros.co.uk/menus/food/bistro2.pdf

Course Title
File type:PDF - Download PDF Reader
Gamba prawns, head and shells on. 6-8 ea. Red shrimp, head and shells on. 6-8 ea. ... Add the Gamba prawns and the red shrimp and cook until the shells turn color. ...
www.ciaprochef.com/DVD/dvd1-recipes.pdf

Fish: South-west | Lifeandstyle | Life and Health
With fine quality brown crabs that are pot-caught off the Devonshire coast, they ... scallops, live clams and cockles, Gamba prawns, salmon and halibut steaks, red ...
lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/fooddirectory/story/0,,2202434,00.html

Eat out Christmas - Cumbria Dalton Barrow Ulverston
Rustique fuses modern British cuisine with the traditional - We entice our clientele with an ever - changing menu, ... to include gamba prawns, mango salsa, ...
www.eatatrustique.co.uk/restaurant-christmas.php

Devon Luxury Hotel Cottage Restaurant Things To Do
Devon's Finest - Information on all quality and luxury services exclusively from ... GAMBA PRAWNS IN GINGER, LEMON AND CORRIANDER ...
www.devonsfinest.co.uk/moreinfo.asp?id=683




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Note added at 47 mins (2008-05-23 08:02:15 GMT)
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For the UK:

grosses crevettes = large prawns
gambas = gamba prawns
crevettes royales = king prawns
crevettes grises = shrimp

Always use the term "prawns" except for crevettes grises, which in the UK are known simply as shrimp. No need to put add the "s".

The Wordsworth Dictionary of Culinary & Menu Terms - Google Books Resultby Rodney Dale - 2000 - Cooking - 480 pages
... hollow FRENCH crever to overcook rice to the bursting point FRENCH crevette, crevettes grises shrimp FRENCH crevettes roses prawns or larger shrimps ...
books.google.co.uk/books?isbn=1840223006...


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Note added at 48 mins (2008-05-23 08:03:57 GMT)
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You could also use "gambas" but I think "gamba prawns" makes things clearer on a menu.

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Note added at 2 hrs (2008-05-23 09:46:42 GMT)
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RE Tony M's note in his answer: Gamba prawns may get less Google hits than Mediterranean prawns but that's because it is more specific, which I think the asker's particular context requires. The references above are from reputable sources, i.e. The Guardian (UK newspaper), The Independent (Ireland newspaper) and Fodor's... as well as many UK restaurant menus (not translated).

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Note added at 2 hrs (2008-05-23 09:51:41 GMT)
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And the reference from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America.

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Note added at 2 hrs (2008-05-23 10:05:35 GMT)
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No violation of the Trade Descriptions Act. :-) "Gamba prawn" is not as "scientifically precise" as you think:

Aristeus antillensis = purplehead gamba prawn
Aristaeomorpha foliacea = giant gamba prawn
Aristaeopsis edwardsiana = scarlet gamba prawn


Aristeus antillensis (Purplehead Gamba Prawn) - GBIF PortalObservational and specimen data for Aristeus antillensis.
data.gbif.org/species/18551026

Aristaeomorpha foliacea (giant Gamba Prawn, Giant Red Shrimp, red ...Aristaeomorpha foliacea (giant Gamba Prawn, Giant Red Shrimp, red Royal Prawn): Distribution Maps, Taxonomy, Similar Species, Notes.
zipcodezoo.com/Animals/A/Aristaeomorpha_foliacea.asp

Aristaeopsis edwardsiana (scarlet Gamba Prawn, Scarlet Shrimp)Aristaeopsis edwardsiana (scarlet Gamba Prawn, Scarlet Shrimp): Physical Description, Distribution Maps, Taxonomy, Similar Species, Notes.
zipcodezoo.com/Animals/A/Aristaeopsis_edwardsiana.asp



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Note added at 2 hrs (2008-05-23 10:08:37 GMT)
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You're welcome, Dominique. You can simply use "gambas" if you think the target audience would understand it. If not, then "gamba prawns"... at least it explains what it is.
Note from asker:
thank you for your help and detailed research!
Peer comment(s):
agree Ghyslaine LE NAGARD
8 mins
Thanks
agree Irene McClure : great links, lots of evidence of this in use around the UK.
52 mins
Thank you, Irene. Normally I wouldn't use the term but asker's context is very specific so I think this term should be as specific as possible.
agree Colin Rowe : Given the wide variety of prawns/shrimp on the menu, this sounds like a neat (and well documented) solution.
1 hr
Thank you.
neutral Tony M : Although I have come across 'gambas' on UK restaurant menus, I have never seen 'gamba prawns', which sounds far too scientific for my liking; and please do note that 'shrimps' IS very often used in the plural
1 hr
I agree it wouldn't be my first option but given the context and all the different prawns on the platter, I'd go for gambas/gamba prawns. Plenty of UK links above for gamba prawns. Shrimps ('s') OK but I prefer shrimp. Never said it wasn't used with an s.
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you!"
+2
7 mins

prawns (see problem further)

gamba is the most awkward product in translation. According to the country it is either shrimp / prawn /scampi or indeed gamba itselfand it does not always refer to the same kind of "shrimp": size, taste, colour, origin.
I would say PRAWNS, while shrimps are (normally) smaller, and the North Sea shrimps are GREY, not brown.
Peer comment(s):
agree emiledgar : Like many of us, I've had to deal with this more than once; prawns is the best term, especially on a menu.
20 mins
neutral PB Trans : Perhaps not specific enough for this menu? Given all the different types of prawns on the same platter.
28 mins
neutral writeaway : much too broad. it's a specific kind of prawn, namely a very large one. actually the term Gambas is used a lot......
33 mins
agree margaret caulfield
5 hrs
Something went wrong...
-1
13 mins

jumbo shrimp

again, I don't see anything wrong using your first definition of prawns; Hope this helps
Note from asker:
Thanks for your help, but I'm looking for a UK translation here
Peer comment(s):
neutral Angela Dickson (X) : asker needs a UK English term
3 mins
disagree Tony M : ... inasmuch as this would be fine for the US, but is not appropriate for the UK (as Asker has specifically stated)
4 mins
Something went wrong...
+9
12 mins

Mediterranean (king) prawns

That is what you often see them as on UK restaurant menus.

In practice, they are often mis-named in FR anyway, so the term should not be regarded as all that precise in the first place!

Note that 'grosses crevettes' is 'large prawns' in UK language (shrimps only for US), and that 'crevettes grises' are what we in the UK call 'shrimps' (no need to qualify that with any colour at all!)

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Note added at 17 mins (2008-05-23 07:32:13 GMT)
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R+C also gives 'Mediterranean prawns'; confusingly, though, they don't necessarily COME from the Mediterranean, but are just SERVED there...

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Note added at 1 hr (2008-05-23 09:11:42 GMT)
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Actually, if you're looking to ring the changes between all these prawns — and let's face it, who's to say they are different anyway? Your restaurant may just be using different terms for the same thing, and the only way to be certain is to ask the customer, and ask them to give you the scientific Latin names for each one! — I think Tassia's 'jumbo' would also work well, but with 'prawns' please for a UK readership!

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Note added at 2 hrs (2008-05-23 09:17:38 GMT)
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Note that 'gamba prawns' only gets around 35 Google hits from purely UK sites, whereas 'Mediterranean prawns' gets a rather more respectable 2000 +

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Note added at 2 hrs (2008-05-23 09:19:23 GMT)
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I also note that 'gamba prawn' is a specific species, whereas 'gambas' is often used (rightly or wrongly!) to apply to lots of different species — so if you go for the scientifically precise term, you might run the risk of your customer's falling foul of the Trade Descriptions Act!

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Note added at 3 hrs (2008-05-23 10:19:59 GMT)
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Hello, Dominique!

Don't worry, you DID enter the Q. as 'Pro', but several of us judged it to be 'non-pro' — inasmuch as this term is widely known to any bilingual person-in-the-street and doesn't require specialist knowledge to answer; and in addition, is easily researched on the Net and elsewhere. I don't think mere divergence of opinion and multiple translation options in themselves are justifications for Pro status.

If you wish to change it back, you can either ask a mod., or (to save bothering them!) you can also ask certain other members who have qualified for limited editing rights. AFAIK know, you can't actually change it yourself.
Note from asker:
Thank you for your helpful explanations! I actually meant to class this as a PRO question - do I need to ask a moderator to change it to PRO or can I change it myself?
Peer comment(s):
agree cmwilliams (X)
11 mins
Thanks, CMW!
agree emiledgar : note: the preferred plural of shrimp is shrimp (unless one is talking about different kinds.
13 mins
Merci ! In fact, in the UK, on things like menus, we more often refer to 'shrimps', unless it is a sort of 'collective' plural
agree cjohnstone : wisest
17 mins
Merci, CJ !
neutral PB Trans : The Mediterranean has several different species, which are known as Mediterranean prawns. King prawns are Mediterranean prawns. However, asker is already using king prawns for crevettes royales.Perhaps the term Mediterranean prawns is too general here?
21 mins
It is the almost universal term found in the UK (even though they are not necessarily FROM the Mediterranean); the 'king' is often added, but as I've suggested with the (), probably best left out in the given context.
agree Ewa Chojnowska
22 mins
Thanks, Ewa!
agree Michael H G (X)
37 mins
Merci, Islander !
agree Cervin : Once again, I agree! Anything to do with shrimps and prawns is difficult it does seem to depend where you are, so given the selection on your platter I'd go for 'Mediterranean'. definitely not shrimps
48 mins
Thanks, Cervin!
agree Gabrielle Marcellus-Temple
1 hr
Thanks, Gabrielle!
agree Julie Barber : I'd say King prawns for England (but I've always called them gambas as I came across them in the Basque country! we weren't plush enough at the time I left England!)
2 hrs
Thanks, Julie! I'd also have gone for 'king prawns' alone, except that Dominique says she has already used that to translate another term...
agree Richard Benham : I would add that "shrimps" in the US can be very big, much bigger than "gambas" here in France (although the latter may vary from region to region or from restaurant to restaurant).
22 days
Thanks, Richard! I think the term 'gambas' is often (mis)applied to almost any kind of relatively large prawn — including the rather scrummy flambéed ones I cooked last night!
Something went wrong...
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