Theiling Online    Sitemap    Conlang Mailing List HQ   

Tricky translations

From:Sai Emrys <saizai@...>
Date:Saturday, January 15, 2005, 10:21
First, a short quote from David Peterson:

> One simple example is that Megdevi had separate roots for > "ghost", "spirit" and "soul". What exactly did these things mean? > They meant *exactly* what they mean in English: nothing more, > nothing less. And what do you think the adjectival form of "spirit" > was? That's right: "spirititual". Same meaning as English.
So, some brainstorming please: what would be good example sets of words and concepts like this - ones that would force you to pick apart the assumptions of your native language(s)? I'd like to make this a homework assignment - "translate these words and justify the translations". Something along the lines of the "How to create good glosses" paper - intentionally creating a new framework (as in CogSci "frames") for your language. Suggestions? Tricky things you've come across through experience (or through muttering in hindsight at your old translations)? - Sai

Replies

Chris Bates <chris.maths_student@...>
Herman Miller <hmiller@...>
Sai Emrys <saizai@...>
Roger Mills <rfmilly@...>
H. S. Teoh <hsteoh@...>