PSi Lexicon

sitting apart (the)

auseindersetzung

The German word auseindersetzung can be translated to mean two different notions that can be divided into two categories.

Notion A (possibly referring to a positive definition of the word):

1)         analyses

2)         assessment

3)         coming to terms with

4)         concerning oneself with something specific

5)         dealing with

6)         debate

7)         discussion

8)         evaluation

9)         examination

10)       exchange

11)       extensive exploration

12)       grappling with

13)       intense involvement

14)        serious engagement

15)        setting apart things, for example opinions (of other people)

16)        setting apart one’s own feelings or thoughts; to have an internal dialogue

17)        sitting apart, sitting something apart

18)        studying something in depth

19)        taking apart

20)        thorough research

21)        unpicking an issue

Notion B (possibly referring to a negative definition of the word):

1)         argument

2)         dispute

3)         disagreement

4)         clash

5)         conflict

6)         confrontation

7)         contention

8)         contest

9)         face-off (between two opposing parties)

10)       hassle

11)       quarrel

12)       row

Normally, the word is translated into either notion A or notion B. I suggest that in the context of performance, the word is always ambiguous and cannot easily be translated into one or the other.

Furthermore, I suggest that performance by its very definition always means both notion A and B. Performance is always a setting apart (of one or more issues), as well as a conflict between one or more people (choreographer, performer, dancer, director, dramaturge, spectator, etc.).

In performative terms the word can literally be understood as a sitting apart of performer and spectator.

Author and translator: Antje Hildebrandt (with advice from Regina Fichtner)

auseindersetzung

sitting apart

The German word Auseindersetzung can be translated into two different categories of meanings.

Term A (possible positive definition of the word):

1)     analysis

2)     Evaluation

3)     coming to terms with the past

4)     deal with something special

5)     deal with something

6)     debate

7)     Discussion

8)     Assessment

9)     exam

10)  Exchange

11)  extensive exploration

12)  deal with something

13)  intensive participation

14)  serious employment

15)  located) with things as opinions (from other people   deal

16)  deal with one’s own feelings and thoughts; lead an inner dialogue

17)  sit apart, deal with (something)

18)  examine something thoroughly

19)  take something apart, put something apart

20)  careful research

21)  separate a topic

Term B (possible negative definition of the word):

1)     argument

2)     quarrel

3)     disagreement

4)     clash

5)     conflict

6)     confrontation

7)    Streitigkeit

8)    Wettbewerb

9)    Auseinandersetzung (zwischen zwei gegnerischen Parteien)

10)  Theater

11)  Krach

12)  Prügelei

Normalerweise wird das Wort entweder in Begriff A oder Begriff B übersetzt. Mein Vorschlag ist, das wenn das Wort im Kontext von Performance benutzt wird, es immer einen doppeldeutigen Sinngehalt hat und nicht einfach in den einen oder anderen Begriff übersetzt werden kann.

Außerdem schlage ich vor, dass Performance in dieser immer sowohl Begriff A als auch Begriff B bedeutet. Performance ist immer eine Auseinandersetzung (mit einem oder mehreren Themen), sowohl als eine Auseinandersetzung zwischen einer oder mehreren Personen (Choreograf/in, Darsteller/in, Tänzer/in, Regisseur/in, Dramaturg/in, Zuschauern, etc).

Als performative Begrifflichkeit kann das Wort wortwörtlich als Auseinander-Setzung von Darsteller/in und Zuschauer(n) verstanden werden.

Author and translator: Antje Hildebrandt (with advice from Regina Fichtner)