whataboutism

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15:57 Nov 22, 2019
English to Finnish 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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Summary of translations provided
4mutkuttelu
Tarja Karjalainen


  

Translations offered


4 days   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
mutkuttelu


Definition from Valtioneuvoston kanslia:
mutkuttelu, merkityksen mitätöinti:
Argumentin ytimen häivyttäminen kääntämällä huomiota samankaltaiseen ilmiöön,
joka ei ole saanut yhtä paljon huomiota, mutta joka ei ole olennainen asiayhteydessä.
(Valtioneuvoston kanslia: Informaatiovaikuttamiseen vastaaminen
Opas viestijöille)

Example sentence(s):
  • Mustamaalaaminen, huolitrollaus, vyöryttäminen, kaasuvalotus, maalitolppien siirtäminen, olkinuket, ­sävykyttääminen ja mutkuttelu. Kaikki nämä kuuluvat trollin työkalupakkiin. - Kauppalehti  
  • Yleisradion pomot tekivät ”mutkuttelun” ennätyksen – he vastasivat musiikin tasa-arvokeskusteluun kertomalla, että Louvren museossa on tauluja vain 21 naiselta - Helsingin Sanomat  
  • Yksi moralismin muoto on whataboutismi eli mutkuttelu. Se tarkoittaa muiden tekemien valintojen turhentamista vertaamalla sitä johonkin omasta mielestä hiukan eettisempään. Miksi puolustat vankien oikeuksia etkä uhreja? Miksi marssit ilmaston puolesta ja unohdat vanhukset, työttömät ja mielenterveyspotilaat? Miksi kampanjoit eläinten puolesta, eivätkö ihmiset ole tärkeämpiä? - Heli Karhumäki, Sana  
Tarja Karjalainen
Finland
Local time: 07:30
Native speaker of: Native in FinnishFinnish
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