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01:40 Apr 15, 2008
English to Chinese translations [PRO] Science - Mathematics & Statistics
English term or phrase:combating surprise
We look at special topics related to distribution development, including maximum entropy inference, combining data, initial distribution, combating surprise, and dependence between distributions.
What does the phrase "combating surprise" mean here?
Talking about surprises of seeing an unexpected outcome, a word may somehow explain it, 奇点，i.e.singularity, however it would be narrowed to use 奇点 for surprise. According to your explanation and quotes, surprise represents a case of obtaining unexpected values for the quantity of interest, I think 意外度 is a quite suitable answer. Thank you!
BTW: as terms used have some differences between mainland and taiwan, 奇异度，or 惊奇度 maybe more suitable for mainland literatures. 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
If you can find someone who majors in computer science or cognitive science in China, he/she may know its corresponding Chinese translation in China. Just use the term you feel suitable.
Two elements are essential for a principled definition of surprise. First, surprise can exist only in the presence of uncertainty, which can arise from intrinsic stochasticity, missing information, or limited computing... http://ilab.usc.edu/surprise/
I believe the "surprise" here means "surprisal"-the probability of seeing an outcome. However, Ｉdon't know its Chinese translation.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-information
This measure has also been called surprisal, as it represents the "surprise" of seeing the outcome (a highly probable outcome is not surprising). This term was coined by Myron Tribus in his 1961 book Thermostatics and Thermodynam
The translation of 意外度 is mostly found in Japanese texts.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 11 hrs (2008-04-15 13:06:58 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
If you cannot find a better translation of "surprise" or "surprisal", you may use this one.
Shirley Lao Local time: 11:46 Works in field Native speaker of: Chinese PRO pts in category: 12
Grading comment
Talking about surprises of seeing an unexpected outcome, a word may somehow explain it, 奇点，i.e.singularity, however it would be narrowed to use 奇点 for surprise. According to your explanation and quotes, surprise represents a case of obtaining unexpected values for the quantity of interest, I think 意外度 is a quite suitable answer. Thank you!
BTW: as terms used have some differences between mainland and taiwan, 奇异度，or 惊奇度 maybe more suitable for mainland literatures.
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +1
