Guest guest Posted November 23, 2001 Report Share Posted November 23, 2001 His criteria of "most effectively applied" >>>>can you elaborate Alon - James Ramholz Thursday, November 22, 2001 10:54 PM Reading (was Re: Shaoyang) Alon:That's certainly a brave assumption. I wish it were true. Chip Chace's new book on divergent meridians, among others, illustrates that much of Chinese medicine doesn't make strict sense---at least their literary discussions don't always. Chip remarks that "the true meaning of the text will be ultimately determined by the manner in which it is most effectively applied and not by sifting through linguistic minutiae." He was specifically talking about the Ling Shu's treatment of divergent meridians; but, I think there is enough literature in translation to show us that the problem is frequently confronted.His criteria of "most effectively applied" is one that I have always agreed with and have tried to promote.Jim Ramholz"Alon Marcus" <alonmarcus@w...> wrote:I start by assuming that the original made sense, and therefore so should the translation. I may be wrong at that though> AlonChinese 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...
Guest guest Posted November 23, 2001 Report Share Posted November 23, 2001 Alon, , " Alon Marcus " <alonmarcus@w...> wrote: > But when you appraise the value of the translated > material, how do you determine such issues as > context? authenticity? etc > >>>>I start by assuming that the original made sense, and therefore so should the translation. I may be wrong at that though Understood. My question is, after making this assumption, how do you then proceed to figure out what sense the original made in order to compare it to the sense that the translated version makes? You mentioned taking the meanings of words out of context. How do you construct the context of the original in order to know whether or not a given translation does this? I'm sure you recognize that a translation that makes perfectly good sense in the language in which it is written does not thereby necessarily accurately reflect the sense of the original. It may and it may not. The point that we started with in this thread was the importance of reading Chinese. Do you see your assumptions as adequate substitutes for knowing what the original texts say? Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 23, 2001 Report Share Posted November 23, 2001 I'm sure you recognize that a translationthat makes perfectly good sense in thelanguage in which it is written does notthereby necessarily accurately reflect the sense ofthe original. It may and it may not. >>>>Obviously but if it does not make sense or has expteemly poor flow then as a reader it is not very useful to me. If one does not read the original then one is dependent on the translation. If for example a character is always translated the same, regardless of context, often the translated material in total has a artificial feel to it. The point that we started with in thisthread was the importance of reading Chinese.Do you see your assumptions as adequatesubstitutes for knowing what the originaltexts say? >>>>>Obviously it is very limited. But a translation has the job of communicating the original. If the original does not make sense then probably it is not worth the time. As one that does not want to spend the time reading original Chinese, I have to rely of my sense as a reader of translations, and make my judgment form them. Its not perfect I agree Alon - yulong Friday, November 23, 2001 8:47 AM Reading (was Re: Shaoyang) Alon,, "Alon Marcus" <alonmarcus@w...> wrote:> But when you appraise the value of the translated> material, how do you determine such issues as> context? authenticity? etc> >>>>I start by assuming that the original made sense, and therefore so should the translation. I may be wrong at that thoughUnderstood. My question is, after making thisassumption, how do you then proceed to figureout what sense the original made in order tocompare it to the sense that the translatedversion makes?You mentioned taking the meanings of wordsout of context. How do you construct thecontext of the original in order to knowwhether or not a given translation doesthis?I'm sure you recognize that a translationthat makes perfectly good sense in thelanguage in which it is written does notthereby necessarily accurately reflect the sense ofthe original. It may and it may not. The point that we started with in thisthread was the importance of reading Chinese.Do you see your assumptions as adequatesubstitutes for knowing what the originaltexts say?KenChinese 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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