Glossary entry

German term or phrase:

vermeintlich komplexe Sachverhalte neu zu schreiben

English translation:

rewording allegedly complex content

Added to glossary by Ramey Rieger (X)
Dec 13, 2019 15:06
4 yrs ago
5 viewers *
German term

vermeintlich komplexe Sachverhalte neu zu schreiben

German to English Marketing Marketing
Hello everyone,

I'm translating the English version/translation of the book Künstliche Intelligenz für Sales, Marketing und Service (AI in Marketing, Sales and Service) by Peter Gentsch. And sometimes the English in the book seems a bit strange to me.

This is the German original:

Häufig wird der Begriff Algorithmus auch als „Nebelbombe“ genutzt, wenn Organi- sationen dem Konsumenten nicht genau erklären wollten oder konnten, warum welche Maßnahme gewählt wurde. Vielmehr wurde es damit erklärt, dass etwas sehr Komplexes im Computer vollzogen wurde. Demzufolge wird der Begriff Algorithmus auf der einen Seite geheimnisvoll und auf der anderen Seite als Ersatz verwendet, wenn es darum geht, ***vermeintlich komplexe Sachverhalte neu zu schreiben oder sich die „Wunder“ der digitalen Gegenwart zu erläutern. Deshalb ist es wenig verwunderlich, dass der Begriff in der öffentlichen Diskussion verunsichert und es dem Laien schwer macht, genau Potenzial und Risiko einzuschätzen. Die „Macht des Algorithmus“ wird von den einen mit Staunen wahrgenommen, die anderen fürchten sich wiederum vor ihr, wobei diese Stränge manchmal sogar verschmelzen, wenn der Algorithmus als „undurchschaubare, orakelhafte“ Macht beschrieben wird.

This is the English translation:

The term algorithm is also frequently used as a “fog bomb” when organisations either did not want to or could not explain to the consumer why which action was chosen. In fact, it was explained by saying that something very complex was happening in the computer. Consequently, the term algorithm is used on the one hand secretively and on the other hand, as a substitute when it comes to ***rewriting would-be complex circumstances*** or to explain to oneself the “miracle” of the digital present age. This is why it is hardly surprising that the term is unsettling in public discussion and makes it difficult for beginners to actually estimate the potential and risk. The “power of the algorithm” is perceived by some with awe; others, in contrast, are scared of it, whereby these strands sometimes merge when the algorithm is described as an “inscrutable, oracle-like” power.

I have to admit I'm not sure what exactly "rewriting would-be complex circumstances" means in this context.

My guess is that it means something like: when there is something supposedly complex to explain, people use the word "algorithm" to describe it, but I'm not sure.

Could someone please explain to me the meaning of the original German phrase?

Thank you.
Change log

Dec 15, 2019 11:58: Ramey Rieger (X) Created KOG entry

Discussion

Mikhail Korolev (asker) Dec 14, 2019:
Thank you again, Ramey.
Ramey Rieger (X) Dec 14, 2019:
A bit of explanation Hi Mikhail. After giving this some thought, I'm quite sure it's about programming content, which can seem rather complex to the uninitiated. The author purports that algorithm is the term used when this content is assumed to be too complicated and requires rewording/rewriting.
Wendy Streitparth Dec 13, 2019:
Yes, of course, Ramey, smoke screen is best!
Mikhail Korolev (asker) Dec 13, 2019:
Thank you, Björn.
Björn Vrooman Dec 13, 2019:
Hello Ramey Are we talking past each other? I said I can't imagine a situation like this, i.e., I can't recall ever being able to use circumstance to translate Sachverhalt.

Umstand, yes. Sachverhalt? No. I don't envy Mikhail. This is a pretty difficult job.

As an aside, you could remove "auch als 'Nebelbombe'" without loss of meaning. What may or may not be an issue is that the quotation marks in sentence 1 and 2 were put in there for different reasons.

Also, considering your comment in the Q about graduell, Michael, I think what Mikhail is looking for is indeed an explanation (which is why he posted it in EN-EN first), so I appreciate your comment in this thread; I just wish that explanation box contained a few more lines =)

Have to bow out for now, but to all of you, have a great evening!
Ramey Rieger (X) Dec 13, 2019:
Hey Björn! Sachverhalt can also be issues, content, discussions - whatever's laid on the table. I usually use 'content' as it always (okay, NOTHING is always in language) something concrete. But I believe issue is also good in this context, although when I think about it...
Björn Vrooman Dec 13, 2019:
This looks like... ...a post-editing job (just put it in one of these MT engines and you'll see what I mean).

Despite the verdict of online databases, I can't imagine a situation where Sachverhalt = circumstance. Odd.
Mikhail Korolev (asker) Dec 13, 2019:
Wendy, Ramey, thank you.
Ramey Rieger (X) Dec 13, 2019:
Or smoke screen
Wendy Streitparth Dec 13, 2019:
Or "fog screen" in BE English
Mikhail Korolev (asker) Dec 13, 2019:
Thank you, Michael.
Michael Martin, MA Dec 13, 2019:
As a first step, get rid of "fog bomb". Use "smoke and mirrors" or something to that effect...

Proposed translations

+2
2 hrs
Selected

rewording allegedly complex issues

Subsequently, the term algorithm has either an occult aura or is used as a stand-in when it comes to rewording allegedly complex issues or to illustrating the wonders of our digital present.

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Note added at 2 hrs (2019-12-13 17:19:44 GMT)
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...'our digital age' would be better

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Note added at 3 hrs (2019-12-13 18:17:13 GMT)
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...allegedly complex content, on second thought

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Note added at 5 hrs (2019-12-13 20:42:24 GMT)
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And another option:

The term algorithm has either an enigmatic aura or is used as a stand-in when it comes to rewording allegedly complex content or to illustrating the wonders of our digital age.
Peer comment(s):

agree Wendy Streitparth : Yep, 'digital age' and 'allegedly complex contents) Hibernating! Guess you probably had snow today too.
2 hrs
Hey Lady! How are you?// So that's what that was! Didn't stick around long enough to recognize it! Sleep well.
agree Gordon Matthews : Good solution. I also like "digital age".
17 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Many thanks to everyone. Thank you, Ramey."
+1
21 mins

repackaging supposedly complex ideas

My take.
Peer comment(s):

agree philgoddard
3 hrs
Something went wrong...
9 hrs

redraft supposedly complex content

I would say

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Note added at 9 hrs (2019-12-14 00:57:48 GMT)
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I would go with "content" for "Sachverhalt" in your context
Something went wrong...
12 hrs

simplifying purportedly complex circumstances /issues

'Re-mastering' and 're-formulating' were considered also, but ultimately believe this is a figurative expression (neu schreiben) about reducing a complex decision-making process (human) into a far simpler machine-solvable variant.

Which might also explain the appallingly bad 'decisions' made by algorithms that I've witnessed to date. :)

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Note added at 12 hrs (2019-12-14 03:21:24 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Perhaps even 'circumstances /issues /concepts'...?
Something went wrong...
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