I know that translator! She is the reason why vergüenza ajena was finally translated into German as Fremdschämen. So, you see, something good can come out of the worst colleagues. Fremdschämen was a much needed concept in German, I have been advocating for it since the 80’s. Now everybody seems to believe that it has always been used. 
And no, it is not almost total gibberish. It is complete and utter gibberish, but not as good as Lewis Carrol gibberish. It is not even funny.
ETA: I would translate Fremdschämen or vergüenza ajena as “cringe worthy”, in case someone was wondering what I was talking about. It is not an perfect translation, but good enough. I would let it pass.