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
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