Kenny同志 Posted October 12, 2011 at 08:50 AM Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 at 08:50 AM Is it jargon or something? Sorry for so many questions folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fanglu Posted October 12, 2011 at 09:15 AM Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 at 09:15 AM I've never heard of it, and the google hits all seem to be on Chinese websites. Looks like Chinglish to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imron Posted October 12, 2011 at 09:19 AM Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 at 09:19 AM Can you provide more context? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny同志 Posted October 12, 2011 at 09:29 AM Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 at 09:29 AM Thank you two. I guess it's Chingish. For the context, take a look at this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creamyhorror Posted October 12, 2011 at 09:32 AM Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 at 09:32 AM Yeah, it looks like a word-for-word translation of 暗箱操作. I'm pretty sure it's not an actual English term. Literally 暗箱操作 could be translated as "black-box operation", but the connotations of "black box" in English are not negative (unlike 暗箱操作). One translation given by a Chinese website was "backstage deals", which I think is somewhat close. "Backroom deals" would be closest; it specifically implies grey or illegal dealings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny同志 Posted October 12, 2011 at 09:47 AM Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 at 09:47 AM Thanks creamy. I think the translation would depend on the context. 暗箱操作 is the act of secretly and illegally altering the way something develops or happens, e.g. election results, winning lottery numbers, share prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imron Posted October 12, 2011 at 09:52 AM Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 at 09:52 AM Shady dealings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny同志 Posted October 12, 2011 at 10:42 AM Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 at 10:42 AM Thank you Imron but I am afraid it won't make a very good translation for the phrase because 暗箱操作 is not a deal in most cases. PS: edited my last post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silent Posted October 12, 2011 at 04:40 PM Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 at 04:40 PM Based on what I understand of the text I would translate it as a cartel or scheming. Essentially an illegal agreement to advance the cartel/group at the expense of customers, competitors etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creamyhorror Posted October 12, 2011 at 05:29 PM Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 at 05:29 PM I think the translation would depend on the context. 暗箱操作 is the act of secretly and illegally altering the way something develops or happens, e.g. election results, winning lottery numbers, share prices. This sounds pretty close to fraud to me. Fraud, i.e. unethical and illegal manipulation/deception, that's hidden from public view since the organisation is a "black box" from the outside. Different cultures and languages classify concepts in different ways, and I guess this is one relatively small example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imron Posted October 12, 2011 at 11:12 PM Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 at 11:12 PM I am afraid it won't make a very good translation for the phrase because 暗箱操作 is not a deal in most cases. Shady practices? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny同志 Posted October 13, 2011 at 02:02 AM Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 at 02:02 AM 暗箱操作is a form of scheming, fraud, or shady practices, so these translations would do the trick in certain contexts. Thanks everybody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matty Posted October 17, 2011 at 02:56 AM Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 at 02:56 AM sounds a little underhanded to me, but that's just my 30 second gut feeling from randomly reading the posts - no effort or research included Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and select your username and password later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.