tower of babel

• Der Turmbau zu Babel ist die biblische Erzählung von einem Turm, der in Sinear (Babylon) bis zum Himmel reichen sollte; Gott verwirrte die Sprache der Erbauer, sodass sie sich zerstreuten. Im übertragenen Sinn bezeichnet der Ausdruck eine Situation, in der die Verständigung durch Sprach- oder Ideenvielfalt gestört ist.

A biblical reference to a tower built in Shinar (Babylon) that, according to Genesis, was intended to reach heaven; God confused the builders' languages, causing them to scatter. Figuratively, it refers to a situation where communication fails due to a confusion of languages or ideas.

1. Confusion of languagesB2formal

   A situation where people cannot understand each other because they speak different languages or have different opinions.

   Babylonische Sprachverwirrung

   • The meeting turned into a tower of babel with everyone arguing in different languages.
   • The international conference was a tower of babel due to translation issues.
   • Without a common language, the project became a tower of babel.

2. Chaotic or noisy placeB2informal

   A place or situation characterized by confusion, noise, and lack of order.

   Turmbau zu Babel

   • The busy market was a tower of babel with vendors shouting in various tongues.
   • The classroom was a tower of babel during the group activity.
   • The online forum became a tower of babel with conflicting opinions.