Glossary entry (derived from question below)
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.
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.
Proposed translations
(English)
Change log
Dec 15, 2019 11:58: Ramey Rieger (X) Created KOG entry
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.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2019-12-13 17:19:44 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
...'our digital age' would be better
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs (2019-12-13 18:17:13 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
...allegedly complex content, on second thought
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 hrs (2019-12-13 20:42:24 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2019-12-13 17:19:44 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
...'our digital age' would be better
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs (2019-12-13 18:17:13 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
...allegedly complex content, on second thought
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 hrs (2019-12-13 20:42:24 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
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
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Many thanks to everyone.
Thank you, Ramey."
+1
21 mins
9 hrs
redraft supposedly complex content
I would say
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 hrs (2019-12-14 00:57:48 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
I would go with "content" for "Sachverhalt" in your context
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 hrs (2019-12-14 00:57:48 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
I would go with "content" for "Sachverhalt" in your context
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. :)
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 12 hrs (2019-12-14 03:21:24 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Perhaps even 'circumstances /issues /concepts'...?
Which might also explain the appallingly bad 'decisions' made by algorithms that I've witnessed to date. :)
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 12 hrs (2019-12-14 03:21:24 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Perhaps even 'circumstances /issues /concepts'...?
Discussion
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!
Despite the verdict of online databases, I can't imagine a situation where Sachverhalt = circumstance. Odd.