Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
outliers
English answer:
exceptional/singular individuals
Added to glossary by
Yvonne Gallagher
Sep 22, 2021 15:38
2 yrs ago
39 viewers *
English term
outliers
English
Other
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Quote
"Outliers are those who have been given opportunities and who have had the strength and presence of mind to seize them" (Malcolm Gladwell).
Given the context, if you were to define/explain this term in one word, what would it be?
I found some definitions online, but they didn't help me narrow down to that one word. :-)
Given the context, if you were to define/explain this term in one word, what would it be?
I found some definitions online, but they didn't help me narrow down to that one word. :-)
Responses
4 +1 | individualists, opportunists |
Yvonne Gallagher
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4 +4 | the exceptional |
Ruth Hill
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3 +1 | trailblazers |
Orkoyen (X)
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4 | go-getters |
David Hollywood
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3 | winners |
Clauwolf
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Change log
Sep 27, 2021 00:21: Yvonne Gallagher Created KOG entry
Responses
+1
24 mins
Selected
individualists, opportunists
OR
in art they would be creatives
OR
mavericks, nonconformists, iconclasts, outsiders
BUT doesn't fully get idea across as this context is really talking about EXCEPTIONAL INDIVIDUALS
singular/exceptional/unique/remarkable people
who can seize opportunities so are
GIFTED, FORWARD-THINKING INDIVIDUALS
First-rate, notable, unique are other adjectives to use
https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/notable
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Note added at 4 days (2021-09-27 00:19:23 GMT) Post-grading
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glad to have helped
in art they would be creatives
OR
mavericks, nonconformists, iconclasts, outsiders
BUT doesn't fully get idea across as this context is really talking about EXCEPTIONAL INDIVIDUALS
singular/exceptional/unique/remarkable people
who can seize opportunities so are
GIFTED, FORWARD-THINKING INDIVIDUALS
First-rate, notable, unique are other adjectives to use
https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/notable
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Note added at 4 days (2021-09-27 00:19:23 GMT) Post-grading
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glad to have helped
Note from asker:
Thank you, Yvonne. I had thought of "unique", but ended up choosing "singular" in the sense of "exceptionally good or great; remarkable". I don't consider "excepcional" (exceptional) as a viable noun in Portuguese. Please read my response to Ruth. |
In fact, "exceptional" could be used as an adjective in Portuguese and it would have the same meaning. |
Your explanation of "exceptional" as in "exceptional/unique... individuals" is totally in line with my translation. So yes, I agree with Phil. Thank you, Yvonne. |
Peer comment(s):
agree |
philgoddard
: A good, comprehensive explanation, and you should get the points in my opinion.
16 hrs
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Thank you!
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
2 hrs
winners
:)
+1
3 hrs
trailblazers
Visionary and proactive.
+4
32 mins
the exceptional
In the dictionary definition below, 1.1 would apply here:
A person or thing differing from all other members of a particular group or set.
In this context, Gladwell is using the word "outlier" to refer to people who are exceptionally successful, to the point that it sets them apart from the majority. I think "exceptional people" or "the exceptional" would be the shortest way to convey the same meaning.
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Note added at 6 hrs (2021-09-22 21:48:59 GMT)
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@Oliver
I think, when translating the quote, "exceptional people" (i.e. using exceptional as an adjective not a noun) would sound better in any case (at least in English). "The exceptional" does sound a little dramatic, like the name of a film (The Untouchables, etc). My original suggestion of "the exceptional" is because you wanted a one-word answer, and this seemed the shortest English solution. My Portuguese is pretty rusty, but I do like the sound of "singulares" - that would be a good solution for a translation of the book title (which is simply "Outliers")!
A person or thing differing from all other members of a particular group or set.
In this context, Gladwell is using the word "outlier" to refer to people who are exceptionally successful, to the point that it sets them apart from the majority. I think "exceptional people" or "the exceptional" would be the shortest way to convey the same meaning.
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Note added at 6 hrs (2021-09-22 21:48:59 GMT)
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@Oliver
I think, when translating the quote, "exceptional people" (i.e. using exceptional as an adjective not a noun) would sound better in any case (at least in English). "The exceptional" does sound a little dramatic, like the name of a film (The Untouchables, etc). My original suggestion of "the exceptional" is because you wanted a one-word answer, and this seemed the shortest English solution. My Portuguese is pretty rusty, but I do like the sound of "singulares" - that would be a good solution for a translation of the book title (which is simply "Outliers")!
Reference:
Note from asker:
Thank you, Ruth. Your explanation makes total sense; however, I'll probably not go with "the exceptionals" since it's used to refer to individuals who have mental development issues (not sure what the politically correct term would be in EN). I opted for "singulares", which rougly translates as "the unique ones". I had already come up with this term before reading the two answers so far. Thank you, again. |
Sorry I forgot to mention, the target language is Brazilian Portuguese. |
An afterthought: I could use "excepcionais" as an adjective rather than "os excepcionais" (children in special ed) and it would fit nicely in the sentence. Sorry about the confusion. |
Peer comment(s):
agree |
AllegroTrans
: yes, one word on its own doesn't really explain
21 mins
|
agree |
onur ilter
: that's a good option. atypical could also be used but one word is quite tough
57 mins
|
neutral |
Yvonne Gallagher
: I really disagree with this noun. I already mentioned "EXCEPTIONAL INDIVIDUALS" at 24 mins and also "singular" so what's with all the repetition?
6 hrs
|
See my additional note to Simon - I also prefer "exceptional" as an adjective, as in "exceptional individuals", as you suggest :) When I starting writing my answer it was the first one - I certainly had no intention of copying someone else's answer.
|
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agree |
Sajad Neisi
14 hrs
|
agree |
Serhan Elmacıoğlu
2 days 2 hrs
|
11 hrs
go-getters
in a nutshell
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Note added at 11 hrs (2021-09-23 03:03:54 GMT)
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go-getter
an aggressively enterprising person.
"they went to great lengths to select a team of go-getters willing to learn about the latest in high-tech manufacturing"
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Note added at 11 hrs (2021-09-23 03:05:13 GMT)
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Meaning of go-getter in English ... someone who is very energetic, determined to be successful, and able to deal with new or difficult situations ...
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Note added at 11 hrs (2021-09-23 03:25:45 GMT)
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up to you
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Note added at 11 hrs (2021-09-23 03:03:54 GMT)
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go-getter
an aggressively enterprising person.
"they went to great lengths to select a team of go-getters willing to learn about the latest in high-tech manufacturing"
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 hrs (2021-09-23 03:05:13 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Meaning of go-getter in English ... someone who is very energetic, determined to be successful, and able to deal with new or difficult situations ...
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Note added at 11 hrs (2021-09-23 03:25:45 GMT)
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up to you
Discussion
"Exceptional are those who have been given opportunities and who have had the strength and presence of mind to seize them."
I've read it in translation a few times, and I think it sounds to the point. I found some examples with similar structures in EN. The last one is telling me that adjective-only is the way to go ("excepcionais" rather than "os excepcionais").
1) "As it is most teachers who are considered ** exceptional are those ** who work every evening in the week and most of the Sunday." (The Guardian)
2) "Quite ** exceptional are those ** who are not punished in this life, but only afterwards. " (St. Augustine)
I did find "the exceptional" as a unit of meaning; however, it's referring to a special-needs group (unlike the Gladwell quote).
3) "** The exceptional are those ** who differ from the average to such a degree in physical or psychological characteristics that school programme designed for the majority of the children do not afford them the opportunity for all round adjustment and optimum progress and who, therefore, need either special instruction or in some cases special ancillary services or both..." (Teacher Ed)
However "the poor" and "the needy" is a different matter entirely as established collective nouns
However, I really disagree with the noun "exceptionals" in this context mainly because I see it commonly used only in an accountancy context in English for exceptional items. It is a term also used sometimes to describe people with a criminal record (exception here being negative in that they are excluded) who could be given a chance by employers. Definitely think an adjective is best
outlier: c. 1600, "stone quarried and removed but left unused," from out- + agent noun from lie (v.2).
exception: late 14c., excepcioun, "act or fact of leaving out or the excluding of" from the scope of some rule or condition
Source: Etymonline.com