Openness and transparency (of governance and politicians)

[Theseus]

Apparently first used by the utilitarian philosopher Jeremy Bentham as applied to governance. I think the British politician Gordon Brown popularised the term and when I first heard him use the words I was heartened: at last: a rallying cry of the people and its governments to turn from secrecy, subterfuge and opacity. When I was a boy, many moons ago we always pronounced the word with a long second ‘a’ [ε:] but now the word is pronounced universally with a short second ‘a’, as in ‘Τραμπ’.
Be that as it may, everyone in politics uses the phrase so that it has become a hollow and irritating cliché.
I don’t like some suggestions I have found e.g, in the minutes of the EC:- δημοσιότητα και διαφανεια or the adjectival usage of, say, ανοικτή και διαφανής παροχή υπηρεσιών. These sound as a glib as the phrase itself now is (since it has been used in the context of the scandalous grooming of young girls by certain minorities, where the phrase is meaningless, as it has not only veiled the identity of the actual perpetrators but also hidden the horrific and unprintable details of what these gangs members actually did to little girls, which, after a public outcry, are only now coming to light).
Surely there are a better Greek equivalents involving words like, perhaps, ειλικρίνεια, ευθύτητα and many stronger words that indicate the opposite of ‘a cover-up’ (συγκάλυψη).

 

[daeman]

Surely there are a better Greek equivalents involving words like, perhaps, ειλικρίνεια, ευθύτητα and many stronger words that indicate the opposite of ‘a cover-up’ (συγκάλυψη).

Με κάθε σεβασμό, Θησέα, υπάρχει μια παλιά παροιμία που ταιριάζει εδώ: Στο σπίτι του κρεμασμένου, δε μιλάνε για σκοινί.

 

[cougr]

In recent times the term "ανοικτότητα" (occasionally spelled "ανοιχτότητα") has been gaining traction as a translation of the term "openness" in the context you mention. You'll find that many Greek government and other official sites use the phrase "ανοικτότητα και διαφάνεια". Another common pairing is the term "ειλικρίνεια" (as you've alluded to) with the term "διαφάνεια" which I've encountered quite a few times being used in the translation of the phrase "openness and transparency", but as you are aware, these more accurately translate as "honesty and transparency".

You may want to check out the Wiki link below:

Ανοικτότητα - Βικιπαίδεια

el.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Duke_of_Waltham]

Be that as it may, everyone in politics uses the phrase so that it has become a hollow and irritating cliché.

You probably understand this already, but were a different term to be adopted, it would be swallowed up by the same treadmill that produces all the other clichés, and end up just as meaningless and unloved as its predecessors. Then we'd be clamouring for a different "fresh" and "honest" word, which would only restart the same cycle as everyone soon jumped on the bandwagon and tried to sound fresh and honest.

Unless the social and linguistic dynamics change, we'll just keep exchanging clichés for clichés-to-be.

 

[Theseus]

Thanks, ‘Man, for the proverb, which is highly quotable and, with the pertinent observation from ο Δούκας μας, it is not doomed and destined for the dustbin of clichés. And to cougr for his usual and always appreciated help

 

[Theseus]

I suppose I should mention, since ‘Man said ‘Με κάθε σεβασμό’, which in English always implies ‘with no respect (to you)’, that I am passing tacit judgement on these offenders since I have access to the facts from relatives working in the police who were advised not to disclose the details to prevent public disturbances. As for my judgement on these unspeakable actions, it is always salutary to apply to oneself the impeccable advice Μὴ κρίνετε, ἵνα μὴ κριθῆτε.

 

[daeman]

I suppose I should mention, since ‘Man said ‘Με κάθε σεβασμό’, which in English always implies ‘with no respect (to you)’,

Obviously, I meant that honestly, Theseus. As for the rest, I'll quote my late aunt who left us at 96 last month: "Άσ' τα αξεκαθάριστα."
Let sleeping dogs lie.

 

[Theseus]

Thanks, ‘Man! The first lesson I was taught by my strict father, an English Classicist and an Anglican priest, was the myth of the god Momus! When you criticise others by pointing an accusatory finger in their direction is that the other fingers are pointing towards you! I always value everything you say. As for your late aunt as we say in the Orthodox Church, Θεός σχωρέσ' την.

 

[Theseus]

BTW, I can’t find what "Άσ' τα αξεκαθάριστα means. The adjective αξεκαθάριστος eludes my searches. Is it a common adjective in this phrase? Why isn’t it in my lexicons? Thanks in advance for the answer.

 

[cougr]

The adjective αξεκαθάριστος eludes my searches. Is it a common adjective in this phrase?

I don't think it's all that uncommon. At least I've come across a few times.

Depending on context the term "αξεκαθάριστος" can variously mean, unclear, vague, unclarified, unresolved, outstanding (as for example, in, outstanding accounts - αξεκαθάριστοι λογαριασμοί) etc.

Given the context of this thread, the phrase "ασ' τα αξεκαθάριστα" could mean something like: Let it be. Don't go digging for information or searching for answers or explanations as it's a waste of time. Nothing will come of it.

Daeman, of course, may have something further to add or clarify.

 

[cougr]

Κι από μένα συλλυπητήρια, Δαεμάνε.

 

[cougr]

I don't think it's all that uncommon. At least I've come across a few times.

It appears it's not uncommon in Crete (or parts of Crete) and perhaps some other islands.

αξεκαθάριστα (α) = αδιευκρίνιστα. Συνήθης φράση: Άστα μπάρμπα τα πράματα αξεκαθάριστα

ΣΥΛΛΟΓΟΣ ΚΡΗΤΩΝ ΑΙΓΑΛΕΩ - Α

ά = αν, εάν , άμα. Συνήθεις φράσεις: Ά δεν έρθει ο άθρωπος, φύγε. Ή: Ά σε πιάσω στα χέργια μου αλίμονό σου! αβανιά (η) = βαριά φορολογία αβάντα, (η) = εναλλακτική λύση, εφεδρεία, διευκόλυνση. Συνήθης φράση: Ε και άμα δε πάει καλά η σοδειά με το στάρι και δε βγάλω πολλά πράματα έχω την αβάντα

www.kritesegaleo.gr

 

[Theseus]

Thanks for the information and very useful link, cougr!

 

[cougr]

On an incidental note, there are many companies and government agencies that are using the phrase "εξωστρέφεια και διαφάνεια" - which more readily translates as "extraversion and transparency" - with the meaning of "openness and transparency". That's the intention, anyway.

 

[Theseus]

I like this phrase more. It reminds me of the English saying:-‘ he wears his heart on his sleeve’ (first used in the first person singular in Shakespeare’s Othello, put into the mouth of Iago, meaning that he has his emotions exposed, outside of his armour end therefore vulnerable). In its positive sense it refers to an open person who shows by what they say and how they act that they hide nothing. In its negative sense it means that they are easily hurt. But, cougr, maybe you know exactly what the phrase means…έλαπαππού μου να σου δείξω τ' αμπελοχώραφά σου.

 

[cougr]

But, cougr, maybe you know exactly what the phrase means…έλαπαππού μου να σου δείξω τ' αμπελοχώραφά σου.

True, but as you are most likely aware, you can think of your post as addressing not only me but the wider (present and future) readership of the forum, many of whom may find the information informative and useful.

 

[Theseus]

I stand corrected. Many apologies! I thought that the English idiom might probably be known to the majority of colleagues, and that I was stating the obvious without being aware of it! But it was an afterthought. I also thought I had corrected the punctuation of έλα παππού.