ralentissement

Ralentissement is a French noun that denotes the act or result of becoming slower. It is used across different domains to describe a decrease in speed, pace, or activity. The term can refer to economic growth, musical tempo, or the flow of traffic, among other contexts.

In economics, a ralentissement designates a deceleration in economic activity, typically a slower growth rate of GDP. It is marked by softer trends in investment, production, employment, and inflation. A ralentissement is distinct from a recession, which involves sustained negative growth; policymakers may respond with monetary or fiscal measures to stabilize or offset slowing demand.

In music, ralentissement denotes a gradual slowing of tempo. French scores may mark a ralentissement as a directive similar to ritardando or rallentando, guiding performers to ease the tempo progressively and often to resolve at a new pace or back to the initial tempo.

In traffic and urban planning, ralentissement refers to periods or zones where vehicle speeds fall due to congestion, incidents, or construction. It is a common feature of peak hours and is managed with signaling, routing adjustments, and public information to minimize disruption.

Étymologie and usage: the term derives from ralentir, meaning to slow down. It is used in French-speaking contexts and, in translation, appears in discussions of economic trends, musical practice, and transport dynamics.