Translation of 整理

[To Mo]

I repeatedly encounter the word 整理 in business documents.

I usually use verbs like establish and organize according to the context but how about when "問い合わせ対応フローの整理"?
I believe certain flow already exists, so something like "improve" (improve the flow for responding to inquiries) would fit the sentence?

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

[Mika J.]

It could depend on who is to do that work.

If tasked to a group, it could be to plan a discussion about it.

Or, it could be to rework, rethink, or streamline, to name a few.

　Mika Jarmusz 

　

 

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[Richard Sadowsky]

Of course, nothing beats the experience of working translators, but I plugged this into ChatGPT 3.5, the free version:

What does 整理 mean in the business context of 問い合わせ対応フローの整理 and what are 10 ways to say that in English?

Answer:

In the business context of 問い合わせ対応フローの整理 (toiawase taiou furoo no seiri), 整理 (seiri) typically means "organizing" or "arranging." It refers to the process of structuring or streamlining the inquiry response flow. Here are ten ways to say it in English:

    Organizing the inquiry response flow
    Arranging the inquiry handling process
    Streamlining the inquiry response workflow
    Structuring the inquiry management system
    Sorting out the inquiry handling procedures
    Rationalizing the inquiry response process
    Optimizing the inquiry resolution flow
    Systematizing the inquiry handling framework
    Standardizing the inquiry response mechanism
    Refining the inquiry handling flow

---

Is that any help?

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[Tom Gally]

Inspired by this question about 整理 and by Richard’s response, I decided to experiment a bit further with ChatGPT and Claude. Advances have been reported recently in the use of synthetic data in training AI models for robotics, and I wondered if synthetic data would be useful for generating ideas for translating words like 整理. 

I first gave the following prompt to ChatGPT 4:

Please compose 10 paragraphs in Japanese with the following characteristics: (1) Each paragraph should be about a specific business-related matter; the matter should be different for each paragraph. (2) The Japanese prose style should be typical of a business report or business journalism. (3) Each paragraph should include a sentence that uses word 整理 in a meaning that makes sense within the context of the paragraph.

Here is its response:

1. 新製品開発の戦略: 当社は市場ニーズを調査した結果、次期製品開発の方針を整理しました。新製品のターゲットユーザーや機能面での強化点が明確になり、リリーススケジュールも具体化しつつあります。今後は製造ラインの整備も含め、迅速な市場投入を目指して動き出します。

2. 財務計画の再構築: 新たな事業計画の策定にあたり、財務部はコスト削減と収益の最大化を目指し、経費と収益の見直しを行い、財務計画の整理を行いました。これにより、資金運用の効率性を高め、事業展開の幅を広げることが期待されています。

3. 顧客データ管理: 近年のプライバシー問題に対応するため、顧客情報の管理体制を再編しました。データのセキュリティやアクセス権限を整理し、漏洩リスクを最小限に抑えるシステムを構築しました。この取り組みにより、顧客との信頼関係の強化が図られています。

4. 人材育成プログラム: 新たな人材育成方針を策定し、各部門での教育プログラムを整理しました。これにより、各社員のスキル向上が促進され、組織全体の生産性向上が期待されます。特に、リーダーシップ研修に重点を置くことで次世代のリーダーを育てる計画です。

5. 販売チャネルの見直し: 市場環境の変化に対応するため、販売チャネルの整理を進めています。オンライン販売へのシフトに伴い、従来の店舗網を再評価し、効果的なチャネル構成を検討しています。これにより、新たな顧客層の開拓を図ります。

6. 業務プロセスの効率化: 生産性向上のため、業務プロセスの整理を実施しました。各部門の業務フローを再確認し、無駄な作業の削減と自動化に取り組みました。結果として、リードタイムの短縮とコスト削減に成功し、全体の効率が向上しました。

7. 企業理念の見直し: 経営理念を見直し、新たなビジョンを整理しました。社員全体への浸透を図るため、理念に基づく目標設定や評価基準を明確化し、日々の業務活動に反映させる取り組みを進めています。この変革により、組織としての一体感が強まりつつあります。

8. CSR活動の再構築: 企業の社会的責任を果たすべく、CSR活動の方向性を整理しました。地域貢献や環境保全に焦点を当て、ステークホルダーとの協力を強化する方針を打ち出しました。これにより、ブランドイメージの向上と長期的な企業価値の創造を目指します。

9. ITインフラの刷新: 最新のテクノロジーを導入するため、ITインフラの整理を進めました。既存のシステムを統合し、クラウドサービスの活用を拡大することで、セキュリティの強化と運用コストの削減を図っています。この改革により、柔軟かつ迅速なビジネス対応が可能となりました。

10. 新市場参入の計画: 新たな市場への参入を見据え、市場調査の結果を整理しました。ターゲットとする顧客層のニーズや競合の動向を詳細に分析し、最適な参入戦略を練っています。これにより、既存市場とは異なる収益源の確保が期待されています。

I then prompted Claude 3 Opus as below, followed by the above examples from ChatGPT 4:

Translate the following 10 Japanese paragraphs into English. Each of these paragraphs uses the word 整理 at least once. In your translations, give three possible translations for each occurrence of 整理, putting the two alternative translations in square brackets after your first translation. Try to use as many different translations for 整理 as possible.

Here is what Claude gave me:

1. New Product Development Strategy: Based on our market research, we have organized [sorted out, arranged] the guidelines for our next product development. The target users and key functional enhancements for the new product have been clarified, and the release schedule is becoming more concrete. Moving forward, we will work towards a swift market launch, including the improvement [organization, streamlining] of our manufacturing lines.

2. Restructuring Financial Plans: In formulating a new business plan, the finance department has reviewed expenses and revenues, aiming to reduce costs and maximize profits, and has organized [arranged, consolidated] the financial plan. This is expected to improve the efficiency of fund management and expand the scope of business development.

3. Customer Data Management: To address recent privacy issues, we have reorganized our customer information management system. We have sorted out [organized, streamlined] data security and access permissions, and built a system to minimize the risk of leaks. This initiative strengthens our trust relationship with customers.

4. Personnel Development Program: We have formulated a new personnel development policy and have organized [arranged, consolidated] the education programs in each department. This is expected to promote skill improvement for each employee and enhance overall organizational productivity. In particular, we plan to focus on leadership training to nurture the next generation of leaders.

5. Review of Sales Channels: In response to changes in the market environment, we are working on organizing [streamlining, restructuring] our sales channels. With the shift to online sales, we are re-evaluating our existing store network and considering an effective channel composition. This will help us develop new customer segments.

6. Improving Business Processes: To improve productivity, we have implemented a reorganization [streamlining, optimization] of business processes. We re-examined the workflow of each department and worked on reducing unnecessary tasks and automation. As a result, we have successfully reduced lead times and costs, improving overall efficiency.

7. Revising Corporate Philosophy: We have reviewed our management philosophy and have organized [clarified, streamlined] a new vision. To ensure it permeates the entire company, we are working on setting goals and evaluation criteria based on the philosophy, and reflecting them in daily business activities. This transformation is strengthening the sense of unity as an organization.

8. Rebuilding CSR Activities: To fulfill our corporate social responsibility, we have organized [arranged, sorted out] the direction of our CSR activities. We have announced a policy to focus on regional contribution and environmental conservation, and to strengthen cooperation with stakeholders. This aims to improve our brand image and create long-term corporate value.

9. Upgrading IT Infrastructure: To introduce the latest technology, we have proceeded with the reorganization [streamlining, optimization] of our IT infrastructure. By integrating existing systems and expanding the use of cloud services, we are working to enhance security and reduce operational costs. This reform enables flexible and rapid business response.

10. New Market Entry Plan: In anticipation of entering new markets, we have organized [sorted out, analyzed] the results of market research. We are analyzing the needs of our target customer segments and the trends of competitors in detail, and are formulating an optimal entry strategy. This is expected to secure a revenue source different from existing markets.

I then did the same thing for 整備, another word that can sometimes be annoying to translate. This time, I had Claude compose ten Japanese paragraphs with government-related contexts and had ChatGPT translate them into English. Below are the translations. Just as Claude seemed to prefer “organize” for 整理, ChatGPT seems to like “develop” for 整備:

1. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is advancing the development [maintenance, improvement] of the national road network. Initiatives such as repairing aging bridges and building bypasses to ease traffic congestion are being implemented to ensure safe and comfortable transportation for the public. Moving forward, the ministry plans to promote systematic and efficient road development [maintenance, improvement].

2. The government is accelerating the digitization of administration to achieve a digital society. Policies are being implemented to improve public convenience and administrative efficiency, such as developing [upgrading, maintaining] information systems for each ministry and promoting the spread of My Number Cards. The promotion of digitization is expected to facilitate smoother communication between the public and the government.

3. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is focusing on improving agricultural infrastructure [maintenance, upgrading] to raise the food self-sufficiency rate. Initiatives contributing to productivity improvements are being undertaken nationwide, including enlarging farmland plots and modernizing irrigation facilities. Through these efforts, the ministry aims to strengthen domestic agriculture's competitiveness and achieve a stable food supply.

4. The Ministry of Defense is advancing the development [maintenance, enhancement] of defense capabilities in line with the National Security Strategy. Measures are being implemented to adapt to changes in the security environment surrounding Japan, such as introducing new equipment and improving the operational capabilities of the Self-Defense Forces. Japan's defense capabilities are increasingly crucial for building a peaceful and stable international community.

5. The Ministry of the Environment is promoting the development [implementation, establishment] of energy-saving measures and renewable energy to achieve a carbon-neutral society by 2050. Various measures are being deployed, including supporting the introduction of clean energy sources like solar and wind power, and strengthening energy-saving standards for houses and buildings. Climate change mitigation is an urgent issue that must be addressed by the international community as a whole.

6. The Ministry of Justice is working on developing [establishing, reforming] legal systems and protecting citizens' rights. Legal administration directly affecting people's lives is being conducted, such as revising fundamental laws like the Civil Code and Criminal Code and legislating measures to tackle emerging social issues. Enhancing the judicial system forms the foundation of a fair and stable society.

7. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is supporting the development [improvement, expansion] of regional telecommunications infrastructure to achieve regional revitalization. Efforts are being made to bridge the digital divide between regions, such as building high-speed broadband networks and expanding 5G to rural areas. Utilizing ICT is expected to revitalize regional economies and foster sustainable growth.

8. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology is dedicated to improving the quality of education and promoting academic research. Various measures are being implemented, including developing [upgrading, maintaining] school facilities, enhancing teachers' instructional skills, and promoting world-class research and development. Cultivating the next generation of talent is indispensable for Japan's future, and educational policies lay the groundwork for this.

9. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare aims to create a society where all citizens can live with peace of mind. Various policies directly affecting people's lives are being deployed, such as developing [enhancing, upgrading] the medical care system, securing the sustainability of the pension system, and strengthening employment measures. Given the declining birthrate and aging population, maintaining the stability of the social security system is a crucial issue.

10. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is working on developing [improving, maintaining] the business environment to strengthen the international competitiveness of Japanese industries. Measures supporting corporate growth are being implemented, including supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, promoting research and development investment, and assisting with overseas market development. As globalization advances, the sustainable growth of Japanese companies will shape the fate of the national economy.

For reference, below are the Green Goddess/KOD entries for 整理 and 整備. The above AI-generated translation examples based on synthetic data, while not useless, are obviously a long way from dictionary entries compiled and written by humans:

せいり【整理】

1 〔ものごとを整えること〕 (re)arrangement; (re)adjustment; regulation; 【新聞･雑誌】 copy editing.

～する (re)arrange; put in order; put sth to rights; (re)adjust; regulate; consolidate; 〔整理分類する〕 file; pigeonhole 《data》; classify; sort out 《the mess》.

●議場を整理する restore order in the chamber

・交通を整理する control [regulate] traffic flow

・手回り品を整理する tidy up one's (own) things; arrange one's personal belongings

・財政を整理する adjust [reorganize] sb's finances; 〔一家の〕 put one's financial affairs in order

・帳簿を整理する adjust accounts

・資料を整理する (re)organize [arrange] data; tidy up data; pigeonhole data

・書類を整理する put papers in order; file papers; tidy (up) papers

・遺稿を整理する edit sb's posthumous works

・キノコ類を分類整理する classify fungi; arrange fungi according to species

・番号[日付]順に整理する arrange [file] 《cards》 in 「numerical [chronological] order; put 《photographs》 in 「numerical order [order of their date]

・議論を整理する put 「an [one's] argument into shape; marshal one's arguments

・身辺を整理する tidy things up; put one's affairs in order; order one's affairs 《in preparation for one's death》

・押し入れを整理すればもっとはいる. You'll get more into the cupboard if you 「tidy it up [rearrange the contents].

・部屋を整理していて古い写真を見つけた. I found some old photographs when I was 「tidying up [rearranging] the room.

・引き出しの中はきちんと整理されていた. The drawers were perfectly tidy. | Everything in the drawers was in good order.

・では, 今日の授業を整理しよう. 大事な点が三つあったね. Right, let's 「summarize today's lesson [make a summary of what we've learned today]. There were three main points.

●彼はノート整理がうまい. He's brilliant at keeping (well-organized) notes. | He summarizes brilliantly.

2 〔考えや心をまとめること〕

～する put one's ideas in order.

●頭の中で考えをちゃんと整理してから話しなさい. Think things through properly before you open your mouth. | Don't speak until you've decided what you want to say.

●気持ちの整理がつく settle down; grow calm(er); accept 「things [the situation]; come to terms with 「things [the situation].

3 〔債務などの清算〕 liquidation; settlement; consolidation; 〔皆済〕 full payment; 〔不要品の売却〕 disposition; clearance.

～する 〔処分する〕 dispose of…; sell; 〔清算する〕 settle 《one's debts》; 〔皆済する〕 clear [pay] off; pay in full.

●国債を整理する consolidate national loans

・売れ残りを整理する dispose of unsold goods

・家財を整理する dispose of one's household goods and furniture

・不要な枝を整理する get rid of superfluous branches.

4 〔人員を解雇すること〕 retrenchment; curtailment; (大規模な) 《口》 a shake-up.

～する 〔人員を〕 retrench; curtail; cut.

5 〔会社再建のための手続き〕 (解消) liquidation; (再編) reorganization.

～する liquidate; reorganize; wind up 《a company》.

区画整理 ⇒くかくせいり.

耕地整理 ⇒こうち8.

交通整理 ⇒こうつうせいり.

財政整理 ⇒ざいせい2.

債務整理 debt consolidation; settlement of one's debts.

残務整理 ⇒ざんむ1.

私的[法的]整理 〔倒産に際しての〕 voluntary [legal] liquidation.

人員整理 ⇒じんいんせいり.

分類整理 pigeonholing; classification.

整理案 a readjustment plan 《for local regulations》.

●自転車整理員 〔駐輪場の〕 a bicycle park attendant (whose job is to tidy up the bicycles left at a bicycle parking area).

整理解雇 dismissal due to economic conditions.

整理会社 〔整理を必要とする〕 a company in need of reorganization; 〔整理中の〕 a company in liquidation; 〔解散した〕 a liquidated company; 〔合併された〕 an absorbed company.

整理係

●文書[書類]整理係 a filer.

整理株 consolidated stock(s).

整理記者 〔新聞社の〕 a copy editor.

整理公債 a consolidated fund.

整理術 skill at putting things away; the art of 「putting [keeping] things in order.

整理整頓 keeping things tidy and in order.

●私は整理整頓が大の苦手だ. Keeping things in order causes me enormous trouble. | I find it tremendously difficult to keep things in order.

整理棚 a pigeonhole.

整理だんす a chest of drawers; 〔脚付きの〕 《米》a commode.

整理統合 reorganization and unification.

整理淘汰 readjustment and retrenchment

整理箱 a tidy box; a filing cabinet.

整理番号 a reference number.

整理票 ＝せいりけん.

整理品 〔破産などのための〕 distress 「goods [merchandise].

整理部 【新聞】 the copydesk.

●整理部員 a copyreader; a deskman

・整理部長 the chief copy editor.

整理屋 a refinancing shark; an unscrupulous money lender who offers to refinance debts, for fees that turn out to be exorbitant.

せいび【整備】 (seibi)

1 〔保守点検すること〕 maintenance; servicing; upkeep.

～する service 《an airplane, a machine》; do maintenance on 《a car》; keep 《a machine》 in good 「repair [condition].

●整備してある be ready for use; be in good repair

・整備しておく keep 《a road, a harbor》 in repair

・グラウンドを整備する put the ground(s) in good condition; tend [fix] the ground(s)

・会場を整備する keep a hall in good condition; prepare a hall for 《use, a conference》.

●このスタジアムの整備には時間がかかる. It takes a lot of time to get this stadium ready for 「use [a game].

・グラウンド整備に駆り出される be forced to help with getting the ground ready.

●整備を終える finish maintenance work; finish servicing 《a car》.

・〔広告で〕 車検･整備, お気軽にご相談ください. Feel free to consult us about compulsory automobile inspections and servicing.

2 〔不備を補うなどして整えること〕 development; improvement; provision; expansion; equipment; equipping; building; fitting-out; outfitting; enhancement.

～する fit out 《a ship》; (fully) equip 《a factory》 with 《machinery》; provide 《a laboratory》 with 《all the necessary equipment》.

●書類を整備する prepare (a complete set of) documents

・道路網を整備する develop [expand, improve] a network of roads

・(…するための)環境を整備する prepare the ground [provide the infrastructure] 《for a project》

・市はこの土地を整備して住宅地にしたいと考えている. The town is thinking of developing this land as a residential area.

・その工場の防火設備はよく整備されている. The factory 「has plenty of fire prevention equipment [is well equipped to deal with fires].

・その工場には最新の機械が整備されている. The factory 「is equipped with the latest machinery [has the latest machinery installed].

・その研究所では整備された環境のもとで最先端の研究が進められている. Cutting-edge research is being carried out at the institute 「in a purpose-built environment[, where all necessary equipment is provided].

・防災体制を整備しておくことが重要だ. It's important to provide a proper firefighting system. | Proper equipment and procedures must be put in place in case of fire.

●法の整備が急がれる. We must 「prepare [draft] the relevant laws quickly.

・下水道の整備が遅れている. Development [Improvement, Expansion] of the sewage system is overdue.

機体整備 〔航空機の〕 body maintenance.

自動車整備 car 「servicing [maintenance].

点検整備 inspection and maintenance.

道路整備 road maintenance and improvement.

●道路整備費 expenditure for road maintenance and improvement; road maintenance costs.

整備員 a maintenance 「man [woman].

●地上整備員 〔航空機の〕 a member of a ground 「crew [《英》staff]

・グラウンド整備員 〔競技場の〕 a 「《米》groundskeeper [《英》a groundsman].

整備係

●会場整備係 a person responsible for the upkeep of a meeting hall.

整備局

●地域整備局 〔国土交通省の〕 a Regional Development Bureau.

整備計画

●港湾整備計画 a harbor improvement project.

(自動車)整備工場 a car maintenance 「workshop [shop]; a garage.

整備士[工]

●自動車[航空機]の整備士[工] a car [an airplane] mechanic.

整備点検

●常に整備点検を怠らない always be scrupulous about inspection(s) and maintenance

・ただ今その飛行機は整備点検中です. The aircraft is currently undergoing 「maintenance [a maintenance checkup]. | The plane is being serviced.

整備不良 poor [inadequate] maintenance.

●事故は整備不良が原因だった. The accident was due to poor maintenance.

・整備不良車 a poorly-maintained 「car [vehicle].

研究社Online Dictionary © Kenkyusha Co., Ltd. 2004.

Tom Gally

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[Herman]

The term is admittedly ambiguous, but without further context, I would
assume that in the case of 問い合わせ対応フローの整理 (or more broadly, 業務フローの整理),
整理 implies drawing up a flowchart (or otherwise "organizing" the work
process in the sense of charting it, or fixating how it is organized).

Herman Kahn

[Bill Lise]

At the risk of stating the obvious, while exercises that test the abilities of ChatGPT and the like to see what AI does with 整理 might be interesting, wouldn’t asking the author or someone who can ask the author what is meant by this particular use of 整理 be more likely to result in a useful response?

I can imagine that the structure of the translation business might make that difficult or impossible, but that just underscores the problem with that structure, and the introduction of AI by clients is acting to even more effectively hide context and true meaning from the people who need that information to create a useful translation.

I’m not optimistic about achieving improvement in this situation. 

*********************************************

リゼ　ウィリアム

Bill Lise

wlise...@gmail.com

https://kirameki-translation.co.jp/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-lise/

*********************************************

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[Herman]

The term is admittedly ambiguous, but without further context, I would
assume that in the case of 問い合わせ対応フローの整理 (or more broadly, 業務フローの整理),
整理 implies drawing up a flowchart (or otherwise "organizing" the work

process in that sense). The purpose of doing this would of course
typically be to improve the process, but I am not sure that 整理 itself
could be taken to mean "improve" in this case.

Herman Kahn

On 5/6/24 21:38, To Mo wrote:

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[John Stroman]

Fellow 'Yakkers,

Bill and Herman make excellent points. I would like to add that many of the source documents that professional translators encounter are poorly written. Even when supplied with prompts concerning the type of document, intended readership, etc., an AI/MT engine can only make inferences from the corpus of data used for training (which itself may include examples of poor or vague usage) and whatever algorithm (for example, frequency of usage) that determines which of many possible terms will appear in the output. There is also a cultural aspect involving whether the burden for understanding lies  on the writer to express an idea clearly, or whether the burden lies on the reader to infer the writer's intention. Japanese can be very clearly and accurately written when necessary, but I think the latter is more often the case, although I'm sure E>J translators also encounter many examples of poorly written English. 

Therefore, I believe human translation adds value that AI/MT cannot, when the translator accurately understands the entire context of the source document (such as by reading ahead to the conclusion), and based on that understanding, the translator can choose the best term in the target language to fit that particular context. As former Honyakker Adam Rice used to write IADOTC (it all depends on the context).

John Stroman

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[Geoffrey Trousselot]

Tom, regarding your prompt requesting three possible translations, I think it is somewhat responsible for generating the same terms.  It might be better to be more specific by indicating the first term should not feel out of place in formal English writing, the second should not feel out of place in more informal communications and the third should raise eyebrows on a translator group list. 

Geoffrey Trousselot

[Herman]

On 5/9/24 19:25, Bill Lise wrote:
> At the risk of stating the obvious, while exercises that test the
> abilities of ChatGPT and the like to see what AI does with 整理 might be
> interesting, wouldn’t asking the author or someone who can ask the
> author what is meant by this particular use of 整理 be more likely to
> result in a useful response?
> I can imagine that the structure of the translation business might make
> that difficult or impossible, but that just underscores the problem with
> that structure, and the introduction of AI by clients is acting to even
> more effectively hide context and true meaning from the people who need
> that information to create a useful translation.
> I’m not optimistic about achieving improvement in this situation.

Given that the author of a text is not necessarily the client or
affiliated with the client requesting the translation, asking the author
is not always possible.

Using AI is an option, but I think the only more or less reliable
(although still ultimately unreliable) way to do that is to ask it in
Japanese about what some term implies or includes, etc, rather than
asking how it may be translated into English, because the latter sort of
question is likely to reflect whatever translation biases or errors are
"out there" and made their way into the training data.

In this particular case, it seems that the AI, in the translations it
provided, took 整理 mainly to mean streamlining (効率化、合理化), rather than
building, creating, charting, documenting or the like, which I would say
is what the term more typically implies, in the context in question.

Herman Kahn

[Bill Lise]

Agree with the suggestion about how to go about asking AI to assist you (ask I’m Japanese). 

When I made my comment, I was fully aware that it could be impossible to ask the author or even ask someone who understands the text or even the source language itself. That appears to be the normal situation for almost all translation that is sold. Sad situation, and there are no handy solutions available for the industry as a whole. 

With AI able to produce large volumes of text very quickly, I would think that, as cyberspace gets filled with AI-generated texts (translated and not), the provenance of data used in training will become much more important. 

リゼ　ウィリアム

Bill Lise

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[Tom Gally]

Geoffrey,

Thanks for the suggestion! I tried it with Claude 3 Opus, asking for five variants for each paragraph. Here is one of the first results:

New Product Development Strategy: Based on our market research, we have organized [sorted out, arranged, consolidated, got straight, unfucked] the direction for our next product development. The target users and key functional enhancements for the new product have been clarified, and the release schedule is also taking shape. Moving forward, we will start working towards a swift market launch, including the preparation of manufacturing lines.

That was fun, but it used “unfucked” for all ten paragraphs. I wanted more variation. Here’s my fourth or fifth prompt attempt:

Translate the following 10 Japanese paragraphs into English. Each of these paragraphs uses the word 整理 at least once. In your translations, give five possible translations for each occurrence of 整理, putting the four alternative translations in square brackets after your first translation. The first two translations should not feel out of place in formal English writing, the second two should not feel out of place in more informal communications, and the last should raise eyebrows if someone suggested it to a group of professional translators. Use a different translation each time, so that you have a total of 50 different possible translations for 整理.

It came up with the following. Despite my request, there are some repeats; LLMs are bad at counting.

1. New Product Development Strategy:

Based on market research, our company has organized [arranged, streamlined, clarified, tidied up, Marie Kondo'd] the direction for next-generation product development. The target users and functional enhancements for the new products have become clear, and the release schedule is also taking shape. Moving forward, we will work towards rapid market introduction, including the maintenance [preparation, overhaul, sprucing up, zhuzhing up, feng shui-ing] of the production line.

2. Financial Plan Restructuring:
In developing the new business plan, the finance department reviewed expenses and revenue, aiming to reduce costs and maximize profits, and consolidated [refined, tidied up, whipped into shape, decluttered, KonMari'd] the financial plan. This is expected to improve the efficiency of fund management and expand the scope of business development.

3. Customer Data Management:
In response to recent privacy issues, we have reorganized our customer information management system. We have sorted out [streamlined, cleaned up, got our ducks in a row with, Marie Kondo'd, feng shui'd] data security and access permissions, and built a system to minimize the risk of leakage. This initiative has strengthened our trust relationship with customers.

4. Personnel Development Program:
We have formulated a new personnel development policy and coordinated [organized, put in order, got shipshape, straightened out, wrangled] the education programs in each department. This will promote skill improvement for each employee and is expected to improve overall organizational productivity. In particular, we plan to focus on leadership training to cultivate the next generation of leaders.

5. Review of Sales Channels:

In response to changes in the market environment, we are proceeding with the rationalization [optimization, overhaul, fine-tuning, zhuzhing, untangling] of sales channels. With the shift to online sales, we are re-evaluating our existing store network and considering an effective channel composition. This will help us develop new customer segments.

6. Business Process Efficiency:
To improve productivity, we have conducted a cleanup [overhaul, streamlining, tune-up, decluttering, feng shui realignment] of business processes. We reconfirmed the business flow of each department and worked on reducing unnecessary tasks and automation. As a result, we succeeded in shortening lead times and reducing costs, improving overall efficiency.

7. Review of Corporate Philosophy:
We reviewed our management philosophy and sorted out [clarified, ironed out, got straight, untangled, feng shui'd] a new vision. To ensure it permeates the entire company, we are setting goals and evaluation criteria based on the philosophy and working to reflect them in daily business activities. This transformation is strengthening the sense of unity as an organization.

8. CSR Activity Restructuring:
In order to fulfill our corporate social responsibility, we have organized [streamlined, realigned, gotten our act together on, Marie Kondo'd, wrangled] the direction of our CSR activities. We have announced a policy to focus on regional contribution and environmental conservation, and to strengthen cooperation with stakeholders. This aims to improve brand image and create long-term corporate value.

9. IT Infrastructure Renewal:
To introduce the latest technology, we have proceeded with the overhaul [reorganization, tune-up, sprucing up, feng shui optimization] of our IT infrastructure. By integrating existing systems and expanding the use of cloud services, we are working to enhance security and reduce operating costs. This reform has enabled flexible and rapid business response.

10. New Market Entry Plan:

In anticipation of entering new markets, we have compiled [analyzed, sifted through, combed through, made sense of, decoded] the results of market research. We are analyzing the needs of the target customer base and the trends of competitors in detail, and are formulating an optimal entry strategy. This is expected to secure a different revenue source than the existing market.

“Zhuzhing” was a new one for me. Here is Claude’s explanation:

What does zhuzhing mean? What is the origin of the term?

"Zhuzhing" (also spelled "zhooshing" or "zhushing") is a slang term that means to make something more attractive, stylish, or appealing, often through small changes or embellishments. It can be used in various contexts, such as fashion, home decor, or personal appearance.

The origin of the term is somewhat unclear, but it is believed to have emerged in British English in the late 20th century. Some sources suggest that it might be derived from the Polari slang language, which was used by British gay subcultures in the mid-20th century. In Polari, "zhoosh" meant to make something more attractive or stylish.

Another theory is that the term could be an onomatopoeia, mimicking the sound of a quick, energetic movement or action that enhances something's appearance.

Despite its somewhat obscure origins, "zhuzhing" has become more common in colloquial English, particularly in the UK and Australia, and is often used in fashion and lifestyle contexts to describe quick, stylish enhancements or improvements.

Live and learn.

Tom Gally