digitalization / digitization
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digitalization
The broad social and economic transformation that results from the introduction and spread of digital technologies in all areas of life. This affects the world of work, communication, education, and everyday life.
Die Digitalisierung verändert, wie wir arbeiten und miteinander kommunizieren.
Digitalization is changing how we work and communicate with one another.
The noun 'Digitalisierung' (digitalization/digitization) is derived from the verb 'digitalisieren' (to digitize/digitalize). The ending '-ung' is a very common way in German to form a noun from a verb. The verb itself means 'etwas digital machen' (to make something digital).
Viele Unternehmen müssen ihre Prozesse digitalisieren.
Many companies have to digitize their processes.
You can recognize the meaning from context. If people are talking about social topics like 'Arbeitswelt' (world of work) or 'Bildung' (education), the general transformation is meant. If it is about concrete objects like 'Dokumente' (documents) or 'Fotos' (photos), the technical process of conversion is meant.
Die Digitalisierung der Schulen ist eine große Herausforderung.
The digitalization of schools is a major challenge.
In the sense of social transformation, 'Digitalisierung' (digitalization) is often used with verbs that describe a process. Typical collocations are 'die Digitalisierung vorantreiben' (to drive digitalization forward), 'die Digitalisierung gestalten' (to shape digitalization), or 'die Digitalisierung schreitet voran' (digitalization is progressing).
Die Regierung möchte die Digitalisierung in der Verwaltung vorantreiben.
The government wants to drive digitalization forward in public administration.
When the technical process is meant, the preposition 'von' (of) often follows with the objects that are being converted. For example, 'Digitalisierung von Akten' (digitization of files), 'von Filmen' (of films), or 'von Musik' (of music).
Die Digitalisierung von alten Büchern schützt sie vor dem Verfall.
The digitization of old books protects them from decay.
transformation
'die Digitalisierung' and 'die Umwandlung' can both mean that something is put into a different form. 'Digitalisierung' is more specific: analog information, such as paper documents or photos, is converted into a digital form. 'Umwandlung' is more general and fits many kinds of change, not only digital data. When the context is clearly about computers and digital formats, 'Digitalisierung' is more precise. When the meaning is simply a change from one form into another, 'Umwandlung' fits better.
Bei der Digitalisierung alter Briefe werden die Seiten eingescannt und gespeichert.
During the digitization of old letters, the pages are scanned and saved.
Die Umwandlung der Datei in ein anderes Format dauert nur wenige Sekunden.
The conversion of the file into another format takes only a few seconds.