alignment / assimilation
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alignment
The process by which differences between things, people, or systems are reduced in order to make them more similar or equal. This can refer to laws, standards, living conditions, or other areas.
Die Angleichung der Lebensverhältnisse in Ost- und Westdeutschland ist ein langfristiges politisches Ziel.
The alignment of living conditions in eastern and western Germany is a long-term political goal.
The word is derived from the verb 'angleichen' (to align/adapt), which consists of 'an' and 'gleich' (same/equal). The ending '-ung' turns it into a noun that describes a process: the process of making things 'gleich' (equal/same) to one another.
Die Angleichung der Gehälter in der Firma dauert schon mehrere Jahre.
The alignment of salaries in the company has already been taking several years.
'Angleichung' (alignment) is very often used in the structure 'Angleichung von A an B' (alignment of A with B). The preposition 'an' is always used with the accusative here.
Die Regierung plant die Angleichung der deutschen Gesetze an die EU-Vorgaben.
The government is planning the alignment of German laws with EU requirements.
'Angleichung' (alignment) is a formal word that is mainly used in written language and in political, economic, or scientific texts.
In dem Bericht wird die Angleichung der Bildungsstandards gefordert.
The report calls for the alignment of educational standards.
Common topics in connection with 'Angleichung' (alignment) are the alignment of living conditions, prices, salaries, or legal standards.
Die Angleichung der Renten in Ost und West ist ein wichtiges Thema.
The alignment of pensions in eastern and western Germany is an important topic.
You can recognize the linguistic meaning from the context. When 'Laute' (sounds), 'Aussprache' (pronunciation), or 'Assimilation' (assimilation) are mentioned, phonetic assimilation is almost always meant.
Im Seminar haben wir über die Angleichung von Konsonanten im Deutschen gesprochen.
In the seminar, we talked about the assimilation of consonants in German.
compensation / equalizer
'der Ausgleich' and 'die Angleichung' both have to do with differences or imbalances. 'Ausgleich' means that a disadvantage or an imbalance is compensated for. The things do not have to become the same. 'Angleichung' means that differences become smaller and things become more similar, for example rules, prices, or living conditions. Learners may confuse the words because both create a kind of balance. The important difference is: 'Ausgleich' makes something fairer again, while 'Angleichung' makes something more similar or more equal.
Die Angleichung der Preise soll den Einkauf in allen Filialen einfacher machen.
The alignment of prices is intended to make shopping easier in all branches.
Nach der langen Arbeitswoche sucht Mehmet einen Ausgleich beim Sport.
After the long workweek, Mehmet looks for balance through exercise.