This glossary is a recapitulation of some of the words we learned in the first semester of class. It regroups vocabulary from different themes : the environment, economy, and law.
Carbon footprint
noun
The amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organisation, or community.
Example: Nowadays, it's really important to beware of one's carbon footprint.
en: Empreinte carbone
class action
noun
A legal action undertaken by one or more plaintiffs on behalf of themselves and all other persons having an identical interest in the alleged wrong.
Example: Consumers have filed a class action against McDonald's for food poisoning.
en: Un recours collectif
Competition
noun
The act or process of competing.
Example: There is a lot of competition between computer companies.
en: La concurrence
Complaint
noun
A formal allegation against a party.
Example: We filed a complaint against our neighbours for excessive noise.
en: Plainte
Discount
noun
A reduction made from the gross amount or value of something.
Example: Some businesses offer a ten percent discount to students.
en: Une remise
Ecological
adjective
Of or relating to the environments of living things or to the relationships between living things and their environments
Example: Pollution is posing a serious threat to the ecological balance of the planet.
en: Écologique
Globalization
noun
The development of an increasingly integrated global economy marked especially by free trade, free flow of capital, and the tapping of cheaper foreign labor markets.
Example: Small business owners fear the increasing globalization of the world economy.
en: La mondialisation
Greenwashing
noun
Disinformation disseminated by an organisation so as to present an environmentally responsible public image
Example: Many companies are being accused of greenwashing.
en: Blanchiment écologique
Investigation
noun
The act or process of examining a crime, problem, statement, etc. carefully, especially to discover the truth.
Example: An investigation in underway to determine if the allegations against gas companies are true.
en: Enquête
Profit
noun
The excess of returns over expenditure in a transaction or series of transactions
(especially the excess of the selling price of goods over their cost).
Example: The profit that Apple is making with the new iPhone is higher than any other profit they make.
en: Un bénéfice
Retail
noun
The sale of commodities or goods in small quantities to ultimate consumers
(also the industry of such selling)
Stake
noun
A situation involving competition in a specified area.
Example: The stakes are high for the companies competing in this market
en: Enjeu
Statement
noun
A definite or clear expression of something in speech or writing
Example: The police has asked all the witnesses to give their statements as soon as possible.
en: Déclaration
Sustainable
adjective
Capable of being maintained at a steady level without exhausting natural resources or causing severe ecological damage.
Example: Companies are finding new sustainable ways to produce goods with the minimal impact on the environment.
en: Durable
To advertise
verb
To announce publicly especially by a printed notice or a broadcast
Example: Companies are advertising their newest products to appeal to their target market.
en: Faire de la publicité
To convict
verb
To find or prove to be guilty
Example: Many companies have been convicted of green washing recently.
en: Déclarer coupable
To deplete
verb
To empty of a principal substance.
Example: Man has been depleting Earth's resources for too long now, it isn't sustainable.
en: Épuiser
To prosecute
verb
To bring legal action against for redress or punishment of a crime or violation of law
Example: You can be prosecuted for throwing trash on the highway.
en: être poursuivi
Trademark
noun
A device (such as a word) pointing distinctly to the origin or ownership of merchandise to which it is applied and legally reserved to the exclusive use of the owner as maker or seller.
Example: Nike filed a request with the government to put a trademark on its best-selling products.
en: Une marque déposée
Warehouse
noun
A structure or room for the storage of merchandise or commodities
Example: Products are being shipped to warehouses before being distributed to retailers.