Jenna Porter-Jacek Sep 2, 2010:

@ SJLD - I certainly wouldn't. I took my use of the phrase to mean an entity comprised of plant material. Obviously, I was mistaken. Thank you for correcting me.

SJLD Sep 2, 2010:

@Jenna - "plant body" means the body of a plant. Would you say "shea is the body of a plant"? I don't think so.

Desdemone (X) Sep 2, 2010:

Eeek - I wouldn't use plant body either (the perils of accepting answers too readily).

Jenna Porter-Jacek Sep 2, 2010:

I agree that "shea butter" certainly isn't a plant body, but rather a plant derivitive. Shea is actually a plant (a tree) from which shea butter is produced. The source said "karité" rather than "beurre de karité" so that was what I used. Certainly clarifying with the client would be a good idea.

SJLD Sep 2, 2010:

"corps gras" are fats - you have lipids (lipides) which are composed of oils (huiles) and fats (corps gras).

rideaux roses (asker) Sep 2, 2010:

interesting point, how would you recommend translating "corps gras"? I think we will have to clarify with the client!

SJLD Sep 2, 2010:

I'm a medical doctor too, native English, and I have fair bit of experience in cosmetic translations. Perhaps ask the client what she means exactly by "corps" - I suspect it is the same usage as in "corps gras", which does not mean "fat body" ;-)

rideaux roses (asker) Sep 2, 2010:

ok well I think we'll go back to the client who is a medical doctor and she what she says. Thanks for the heads up though!

SJLD Sep 2, 2010:

Shea butter is a substance derived from a plant, it's not a plant *body*. "Shea is a plant body" makes absolutely no sense to me.
This is a marketing text, no? Not scientific.

rideaux roses (asker) Sep 2, 2010:

ok just to check, are you saying that this is an incorrect translation or that "beurre de karité" itself is not a plant body? Thanks!

SJLD Sep 2, 2010:

Sorry, but "corps végétal" does not mean "plant body".

rideaux roses (asker) Sep 2, 2010:

decision made :) we've gone for Jenna's answer as it seems to fit the scientific context and tone of our text.
Thanks to everyone else for their suggestions though!

SJLD Sep 2, 2010:

corps gras végétal? I gather this is referring to "beurre de karité" and I think a few shortcuts have been taken with the text, as advertising copy is wont to do.