Black case work, what does it mean exactly?

[Kenny同志]

Is it jargon or something?

Sorry for so many questions folks.

[fanglu]

I've never heard of it, and the google hits all seem to be on Chinese websites. Looks like Chinglish to me.

[imron]

Can you provide more context?

[Kenny同志]

Thank you two.

I guess it's Chingish. For the context, take a look at this.

[creamyhorror]

Yeah, it looks like a word-for-word translation of 暗箱操作. I'm pretty sure it's not an actual English term. Literally 暗箱操作 could be translated as "black-box operation", but the connotations of "black box" in English are not negative (unlike 暗箱操作).

One translation given by a Chinese website was "backstage deals", which I think is somewhat close. "Backroom deals" would be closest; it specifically implies grey or illegal dealings.

[Kenny同志]

Thanks creamy. I think the translation would depend on the context. 暗箱操作 is the act of secretly and illegally altering the way something develops or happens, e.g. election results, winning lottery numbers, share prices.

[imron]

Shady dealings?

[Kenny同志]

Thank you Imron but I am afraid it won't make a very good translation for the phrase because 暗箱操作 is not a deal in most cases.

PS: edited my last post.

[Silent]

Based on what I understand of the text I would translate it as a cartel or scheming. Essentially an illegal agreement to advance the cartel/group at the expense of customers, competitors etc.

[creamyhorror]

I think the translation would depend on the context. 暗箱操作 is the act of secretly and illegally altering the way something develops or happens, e.g. election results, winning lottery numbers, share prices.

This sounds pretty close to fraud to me. Fraud, i.e. unethical and illegal manipulation/deception, that's hidden from public view since the organisation is a "black box" from the outside.

Different cultures and languages classify concepts in different ways, and I guess this is one relatively small example.

[imron]

I am afraid it won't make a very good translation for the phrase because 暗箱操作 is not a deal in most cases.

Shady practices?

[Kenny同志]

暗箱操作is a form of scheming, fraud, or shady practices, so these translations would do the trick in certain contexts.

Thanks everybody

[Matty]

sounds a little underhanded to me, but that's just my 30 second gut feeling from randomly reading the posts

- no effort or research included