Guest guest Posted July 28, 2000 Report Share Posted July 28, 2000 Alon, I was referring to the study of Chinese medical terminology by Chinese students. Mastery of the terminology enables students > to move around at will and without confusion > in the subject. But it takes time and effort. > >>>Yes but it is also the choice of words selected to describe the terms that makes a big difference This is very true. Scholars in modern China debate and argue over how to render ancient Chinese into modern Chinese. It seems unimaginable that similar discourse should not accompany the process of moving the information contained in these old characters into even more dissimilar languages, such as English. The problem is that before such exchange can be called meaningful it must take place between individuals who share some sort of familiarity with the subject and its original terminology. The great benefit of work such as we find in the Practical Dictionary, is that it provides a basis for just such mutual understanding. Language belongs to those who use it, not to those who write dictionaries. Term choices develop and evolve. Our challenge is to make this evolution a conscious and purposeful one. The dictionaries will no doubt keep up with us if we all roll up our sleeves and develop real understanding of what the ancient terminology is all about and how to express these old concepts in modern languages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 28, 2000 Report Share Posted July 28, 2000 not to those who write dictionaries.Term choices develop and evolve. Ourchallenge is to make this evolutiona conscious and purposeful one.>>>> YES totally agree Alon - yulong Thursday, July 27, 2000 11:08 PM Re: Re: RE: RE: Easy terminology Alon,I was referring to the study of Chinesemedical terminology by Chinese students.Mastery of the terminology enables students> to move around at will and without confusion> in the subject. But it takes time and effort.> >>>Yes but it is also the choice of words selected to describe the terms that makes a big differenceThis is very true. Scholars in modern Chinadebate and argue over how to render ancientChinese into modern Chinese. It seems unimaginablethat similar discourse should not accompanythe process of moving the information containedin these old characters into even more dissimilarlanguages, such as English.The problem is that before such exchangecan be called meaningful it must takeplace between individuals who share somesort of familiarity with the subjectand its original terminology.The great benefit of work such as wefind in the Practical Dictionary, is thatit provides a basis for just such mutualunderstanding. Language belongs to those who use it,not to those who write dictionaries.Term choices develop and evolve. Ourchallenge is to make this evolutiona conscious and purposeful one.The dictionaries will no doubt keep up with usif we all roll up our sleeves and developreal understanding of what the ancientterminology is all about and how toexpress these old concepts in modernlanguages.Chinese Herbal Medicine, a voluntary organization of licensed healthcare practitioners, matriculated students and postgraduate academics specializing in Chinese Herbal Medicine, provides a variety of professional services, including board approved online continuing education. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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