whataboutism

French translation: qu'en est-ilisme

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16:54 Nov 22, 2019
English to French translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Government / Politics
Additional field(s): History, Social Science, Sociology, Ethics, etc., Journalism
English term or phrase: whataboutism
Definition from Merriam-Webster:
The rhetorical technique or practice by reversing the accusation, arguing that an opponent is guilty of an offense just as egregious or worse. Also known as "whataboutery".

Example sentence(s):
  • Fears of impending whataboutism do not appear to have been exaggerated. Pundits have been noticing Trump’s proclivity for the “what about” defense for months. Even since taking office, the president has been quick to respond to accusations of collusion or corruption by pointing to the alleged misdeeds of his former opponent, Hillary Clinton. HuffPost
  • For a nanosecond, especially to an uncritical listener, this stab at logic might seem interesting, even thought-provoking, and that’s why it’s a useful political tool. Whataboutism appears to broaden context, to offer a counterpoint, when really it’s diverting blame, muddying the waters and confusing the hell out of rational listeners. Washington Post
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French translation:qu'en est-ilisme
Definition:
Usage abusif du « qu’en est-il de »
Selected response from:

Karen ROLLAND
France
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of translations provided
3 +2qu'en est-ilisme
Karen ROLLAND


  

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53 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
qu'en est-ilisme


Definition from Le Monde:
Usage abusif du « qu’en est-il de »

Example sentence(s):
  • C'est sans doute dans cette catégorie que se recrutent les «whataboutistes», ou adeptes du «whataboutisme», de l'expression anglaise «whatabout» (qu'en est-il de), maladie peu connue. (...) Le «whataboutisme», que l'on pourrait traduire par «qu'en est-ilisme», de «qu'en est-il de», que Dalaa Al-Mufti transcrit en arabe «al-madha aanya» de «madha aan» (ماذا عن). - Le soir d'Algérie  
  • Pour détourner les critiques, l’une des tactiques utilisées par les communistes des deux côtés du rideau de fer était le « whataboutisme » (l’usage abusif du « qu’en est-il de »). - Le Monde  

Explanation:
Mis à part le "qu'en est-ilisme" (que l'on trouve dans peu de sources en ligne), la plupart des sources ont francisé le terme en "Whataboutisme", en fournissant une explication de la notion de whataboutism (ou whataboutery).




Karen ROLLAND
France
Local time: 22:51
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 12

Votes in favor of/against selecting this as the best translation of the term asked
Yes  Gabrielle Leyden
17 hrs

Yes  Antoine Dequidt
1 day 5 hrs
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