Topicality vs. timeliness EN/DE

[H2KOM]

Talking about journalism selection criteria - can anybody tell me,
what's the difference between these two concepts?

Or even better: Translate it for me. In German, as far as I know,
there is only the word Aktualität for both criteria.

Thanks, Holger

[Richard Loebner]

Post by H2KOM
Talking about journalism selection criteria - can anybody tell me,
what's the difference between these two concepts?
Or even better: Translate it for me. In German, as far as I know,
there is only the word Aktualität for both criteria.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MUSEN "Topicality" means that the objects fits a prestated subject of
interest, wheras "timeliness" describes its appropriateness at a given
time of publication. = etwas von aktueller Bedeutung

I don't think both can be translated into "Aktualität",because this
points to the current condition of an object constantly undergoing
change. = etwas von zeitguenstiger Bedeutung

Please the somewhat oversimplified explanation.

[Richard Loebner]

Re: Topicality vs. timeliness EN/DE - aktualisierter Beitrag
============================================

Post by H2KOM
Talking about journalism selection criteria - can anybody tell me,
what's the difference between these two concepts?
Or even better: Translate it for me. In German, as far as I know,
there is only the word Aktualität for both criteria.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MUSEN "Topicality" means that the objects fits a prestated subject of
interest, wheras "timeliness" describes its appropriateness at a given
time of publication. = etwas von aktueller Bedeutung

I don't think both can be translated into "Aktualität", because this
points to the current condition of an object constantly undergoing
change. = etwas von zeitguenstiger Bedeutung

Please excuse the somewhat oversimplified explanation and the absence
der Umlaute <g>.

[Steve M (remove wax to reply)]

On Fri, 5 Dec 2003 01:33:40 GMT, Richard Loebner

Post by Richard Loebner
Re: Topicality vs. timeliness EN/DE - aktualisierter Beitrag
============================================

Post by H2KOM
Talking about journalism selection criteria - can anybody tell me,
what's the difference between these two concepts?
Or even better: Translate it for me. In German, as far as I know,
there is only the word Aktualität for both criteria.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MUSEN "Topicality" means that the objects fits a prestated subject of
interest, wheras "timeliness" describes its appropriateness at a given
time of publication. = etwas von aktueller Bedeutung
I don't think both can be translated into "Aktualität", because this
points to the current condition of an object constantly undergoing
change. = etwas von zeitguenstiger Bedeutung

I'm not a journalist nor do I know any German. But it seems that some
English dictionaries and maybe some sloppy EN-DE dictionary writers
are to blame for Holger's confusion.

"timely":

1. Occurring at a suitable or opportune time; well-timed. [1]

"topical"

1. Of or belonging to a particular location or place; local
2. Currently of interest; contemporary.

The given German translation for "topical" apparently has the second
meaning. In the context of a news article, this is similar to the
given meaning of "timely".

[1] definitions from dictionary.com, American Heritage® Dictionary of
the English Language, Fourth Edition

[H2KOM]

Post by Steve M (remove wax to reply)
On Fri, 5 Dec 2003 01:33:40 GMT, Richard Loebner

Post by Richard Loebner
Re: Topicality vs. timeliness EN/DE - aktualisierter Beitrag
============================================

Post by H2KOM
Talking about journalism selection criteria - can anybody tell me,
what's the difference between these two concepts?
Or even better: Translate it for me. In German, as far as I know,
there is only the word Aktualität for both criteria.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MUSEN "Topicality" means that the objects fits a prestated subject of
interest, wheras "timeliness" describes its appropriateness at a given
time of publication. = etwas von aktueller Bedeutung
I don't think both can be translated into "Aktualität", because this
points to the current condition of an object constantly undergoing
change. = etwas von zeitguenstiger Bedeutung

I'm not a journalist nor do I know any German. But it seems that some
English dictionaries and maybe some sloppy EN-DE dictionary writers
are to blame for Holger's confusion.
1. Occurring at a suitable or opportune time; well-timed. [1]
"topical"
1. Of or belonging to a particular location or place; local
2. Currently of interest; contemporary.
The given German translation for "topical" apparently has the second
meaning. In the context of a news article, this is similar to the
given meaning of "timely".
[1] definitions from dictionary.com, American Heritage® Dictionary of
the English Language, Fourth Edition

Thank You for the answers. You have already helped me a lot. I fear
the main problem is, that the concept of "Aktualität" is very
schwammig in German, not clearly defined at all. I guess this isn't
really a translation-problem after all.

Maybe I'll try something like inhaltliche Aktualität on the one hand
and zeitliche Aktualität on the other hand - although this doesn't fit
too well either.

[Evertjan.]

Post by H2KOM
Maybe I'll try something like inhaltliche Aktualität on the one hand
and zeitliche Aktualität on the other hand - although this doesn't fit
too well either.

I think it is always both:

"Aktualität" can never be "important at the present time" without pointing
to the "content"

and

"Aktualität" can never be "important content" without being so "at the
present time"