whataboutism

For term searches and specialty glossaries, please try the new GBK glossaries

16:55 Nov 22, 2019

English to Chinese 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

Glossary-building KudoZ

This question was created by:

Glossary-building KudoZ

This question will remain open until an answer receives the required level of agreement from peers. Submission is still possible.

Summary of translations provided

4 +1

“那又怎么说”主义

Jinfeng Mao

Discussion entries: 2

Translations offered

1 day 12 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

“那又怎么说”主义

Definition from 纽约时报中文网:
“那又怎么说”主义并不仅仅是在言辞上变换主题，本质上是一种对指控的逆转，认为对手犯了一个违法或者更糟糕的罪行。

Example sentence(s):

當今的一個政治或意識型態觀點，或是對輿論批評的防禦，都可能是「那又怎麼說」主義的展現。 - 纽约时报中文网
在中國，魯迅的「臭蟲論」與西方的「那又怎麼說」主義有異曲同工之妙。1933年，魯迅在《外國也有》一文中提到：「凡中國所有的，外國也都有。外國人說中國多臭蟲，但西洋也有臭蟲。」他藉此批判當時的中國人，在面對批評時會聲稱其他國家也有相同的錯誤，來掩飾自己的過錯。 - 纽约时报中文网
Whataboutism 其实是说， ”那谁不也一样嘛？，“那哪儿不也一样嘛？” 的怼人套路。时报说这是“诡辩术” ，却刻意忽视了这套路的场景往往是一方使用了双重标准。所以，Whataboutism其实是对双标的拆解套路。 - 新浪

Jinfeng Mao
Australia
Local time: 20:10
Native speaker of:

Chinese

Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:

ProZ.com term search

Search millions of term translations

whataboutism

Translations offered

KudoZ™ translation help

Your current localization setting

Select a language

whataboutism

Translations offered

KudoZ™ translation help

You have native languages that can be verified

Your current localization setting

Select a language