Thank you.
Does anyone know what the French for Gaffa tape is? I've not covered this on my Michel Thomas CDs yet and I can't think of a suitable mime give the long suffering chap in the shop.
Well tape is ruban adhésif and then it just depends exactly what you mean by gaffa tape .. is it that plastic type of tape? I'd try saying "plastifié" (if that's what you want) or "entoilé" if its more of that sort of fabric type tape or "de masquage" if its more masking tape.
Or you can try describing what type of ruban adhésif by then adding on the end what its for "pour fixation des .... "
This should at least be enough to get you infront of the sticky tape selection in the shop you go into
PS: I suspect it might actually be known by a trade name ... eg the name of the most well known brand .. such as sellotape (for sticky tape for the home) or (as the french call it) "scotch" .. so maybe someone has a roll of it in their drawer and can look at its name for you ..
Edit: Just found a roll of duct tape in my cupboard !! it is called "ruban pour conduits transparent" - obviously leave off the "transparent" if you don't want it see through ...
Le Gaffe tape?
You mean Gaffer's tape?
...as used by gaffers on rock concerts, stage, video crews, photographers, etc. ?
I got mine at a pro photo shop, made by Advance.
coller les câbles électriques à étages poussiéreux.
Fantastic idea, I'd ask for the tape section but it's one of those old fashioned shops that you ask at the counter and what you want is fetched from the back. However, with my French it's often like the two Ronnies fork candles sketch.
Thank you.
Even through 'Gaffer' is 'Chef Electro' in French & Chef Beleuter in German, it's still known as 'gaffer' tape here.
Bought it loads of times in France, but AFAICR there's no exact term for it. Then again, I just pick it off the shelf at a supermarket or Brico shop, so have never had to ask for it.
But I think "Ruban Industriel" would define any heavy-duty tape, "...Toilé" will get you closer, as it means cloth-reinforced, and if you add "PVC" that'll probably get you 99% of the way there.
You might also want to specify "étanche" or "impermeable" if it needs to be waterproof (cos not all 'Gaffa' tapes are).
Either that, or simply ask for "Ruban Duct" which may work equally well.
...as I said, just go to a pro photo, video, sound reinforcement shop, doubt you will find it anywhere else.
Is this the tape? Or does it have to be black (like gaffa/gaffers tape)?
If so, you could ask for/look for "ruban adhésif tissu gris"
Gaffer tape is specific, it can be taped to walls on location & removed without damaging paint. It's not normal industrial tape.
Available in all colours.
That's duct tape, not the same at all. Here is the real stuff:
The terms are often used interchangeably, and I suspected from context and spelling "Gaffa" that the OP might not have been specifically wanting that stuff.
...let me add any place selling/renting set lighting, video, sound, photo shoot gear. I know Light+Byte near Zurich have it, give them a call.
Here is a Swiss source for Gaffa tape (second link). Made by Advance.
Link to Advance website: http://www.advancetapes.com/Products/brands/3.html
Price list 2010 from a CH supplier: http://www.crazyevents.ch/verkauf/ve...elist-2010.pdf
The main difference is that duct tape is meant for "permanent" taping, difficult to remove, whereas gaffer's is meant for temporary but strong taping and can be removed after it has served it's purpose.
They are the same product - the only difference is the bonding on duct tape tends to leave residue. Gaffer tape doesn't.
Both can form permenant repairs.