This site uses cookies.
Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site,
while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used.
For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
This question was closed without grading. Reason: Other
English language (monolingual) [PRO] Social Sciences - Education / Pedagogy
English term or phrase:playground politics
Hi, I was wondering whether "playground politics" in the passage below might mean "social dynamics", maybe also "conflictual dynamics" or maybe is it more "power relationships", establishing hierarchies in the social groups? The author is talking about the importance of play for children. Thank you very much for your help!
******************************
Children's social, relational, and even rhetorical skills improve when they play, as they have to negotiate ** playground politics ** and determine a game's or a group's explicit and implicit rules
It's important to appreciate that usualyl, this term is used firguratively, when it has a derogatory sense, certainly; but here, it is specifically being used literally, really about children in the playground, or similar contexts.
"Playground politics" is indeed something rather bad - "mine is bigger than yours" "nah-nah neh-neh" type of things. But it seems to me your example is not being derogatory at all, but quite seriously discussing "the politics of the playground", i.e. the power relations and social interactions in the playground and how to manage them. Isn't that what your suggested Italian phrase says and does that really need any further explanation?
actually the problem is "politics" (we are in Italy after all!!), joking apart, maybe I can say "rapporti di potere nel cortile della scuola", and then add some explanation.. By the way, I've seen that "playground politics" is very common in English, not only for children...
It would be a shame to lose the idea of playground. Could you do a literal translation and then follow it with your bit about social dynamics and power relations? Or does that not work?
Thank you Phil for your message: I'm not sure that a literal translation would be clear enough... maybe I can use a periphrasis: "social dynamics and power relations"...
You've understood the meaning correctly - it's all of the things you mention. If you're translating it into Italian, will a literal translation be understood?
They have to figure out how to enter play, negotiating with others when they don't get their way. They learn about fairness, about taking turns, about being flexible, about behaving ethically
Automatic update in 00:
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.
