| Pages in topic: < [1 2] | Linguistics and Translation Thread poster: Ronnie J Rigdon
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Neil Coffey 
Біріккен Корольдік
Local time: 10:39
French to English
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| Any technology or knowledge can be misused | Sep 22, 2013 |
Phil Hand wrote:
I firmly believe that philology - basically etymology - is the worst thing you can possibly study. People who reach for the etymology of a word to explain its modern meaning are so wrong, so wrong. It's the worst kind of misleading language priggery.
So of course assuming that the etymology of a word can explain or must dictate its modern meaning is nonsensical. But that's not per se what historical linguistics is attempting to do. I think no actual historical linguist would use etymology in that way -- it's usually middle class people with a usage guide, chip on their shoulder and no actual knowledge of linguistics that attempt to do that.
(Incidentally, if you're studying "philology" then you're probably living in the 19th century.)
[Edited at 2013-09-22 16:28 GMT]
| | | | Kay Denney
Франция
Local time: 11:39
French to English
| Sorry I don't agree with you here | Sep 22, 2013 |
Michele Fauble wrote:
Neil Coffey wrote:
Studying linguistics *will* allow you to see through pseudo-linguistic nonsense of prescriptive grammar and style guides.
I think all translators should have a basic knowledge of linguistics, if for no other reason than this one.
While struggling with some really rotten grammar books in my previous life as an English teacher, I managed to develop a healthy disregard for all that stuff. I ended up basically telling my students what sounded right to me and the type of expressions that would crop up in the paper (these were pre-Internet days of course). No need to do a university course for that, just like you don't need to study the mechanics of fluids to realise that your plumber is trying to rip you off.
Any time I have tried to read up linguistics, I get through three sentences and think, well they could have said that using a quarter of the words.
| | | | Helena Chavarria
Испания
Local time: 11:39
Member (2011)
Spanish to English
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| Theory can be fun | Sep 22, 2013 |
Texte Style wrote:
While struggling with some really rotten grammar books in my previous life as an English teacher, I managed to develop a healthy disregard for all that stuff. I ended up basically telling my students what sounded right to me and the type of expressions that would crop up in the paper (these were pre-Internet days of course). No need to do a university course for that, just like you don't need to study the mechanics of fluids to realise that your plumber is trying to rip you off.
Any time I have tried to read up linguistics, I get through three sentences and think, well they could have said that using a quarter of the words.
In one of my previous lives I was a classically trained dancer and theory and technique were essential.
In what I hope will soon be a previous life, my life as a teacher of English as a foreign language, I find that knowing grammatical rules comes in handy when students ask me tricky questions.
It's nice to know there's a logical explanation for everything.
| | | | Helena Chavarria
Испания
Local time: 11:39
Member (2011)
Spanish to English
+ ...
| It's better to study philology, than nothing | Sep 22, 2013 |
Neil Coffey wrote:
(Incidentally, if you're studying "philology" then you're probably living in the 19th century.)
[Edited at 2013-09-22 16:28 GMT]
I studied 'philology' because it was the only degree available at the time and although I didn't learn how to speak English (because I already knew) I learnt a whole load of other things.
Surely it's better to study 'philology' than nothing at all?
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Ronnie J Rigdon
Америка Құрама Штаттары
Local time: 05:39
French to English
TOPIC STARTER
So, the general consensus I'm hearing is that a degree in linguistics is by no means the only thing or even a necessity but it can give someone a leg-up in translation.
| | | | Kay Denney
Франция
Local time: 11:39
French to English
| Theory can also be a pain ;-) | Sep 23, 2013 |
Helena Chavarria wrote:
Texte Style wrote:
While struggling with some really rotten grammar books in my previous life as an English teacher, I managed to develop a healthy disregard for all that stuff. I ended up basically telling my students what sounded right to me and the type of expressions that would crop up in the paper (these were pre-Internet days of course). No need to do a university course for that, just like you don't need to study the mechanics of fluids to realise that your plumber is trying to rip you off.
Any time I have tried to read up linguistics, I get through three sentences and think, well they could have said that using a quarter of the words.
In one of my previous lives I was a classically trained dancer and theory and technique were essential.
In what I hope will soon be a previous life, my life as a teacher of English as a foreign language, I find that knowing grammatical rules comes in handy when students ask me tricky questions.
It's nice to know there's a logical explanation for everything.
Well I wouldn't know about ballet.
I learned a bit of grammar at school, not that much, then found out what tenses were called as a teacher.
Of course I don't know what I'm missing, how much better a translator I would be had I studied linguistics inside and out, but judging from what I learned in translation theory (zilch) I'm pretty confident that the effort would not really be worth it.
Just my two cents, of course.
Can't say I've ever noticed that much logic in English. I don't remember who I'm quoting when I ask what you can expect from a nation that parks in the driveway and drives along the parkway.
| | | | Phil Hand
Қытай
Local time: 17:39
Chinese to English
| Consensus? Among translators? Surely you jest | Sep 23, 2013 |
I'm not sure there's much of a consensus at all!
I should say that while I don't think linguistics is of much direct use to a translator, it's still a wonderful subject. I wouldn't have studied anything else for the world.
It looks like you're thinking about a second or third degree here. If you're after something that will be useful in your translation career, I'd recommend a specialist subject area - law or business or finance, that sort of thing. That will help set ... See more I'm not sure there's much of a consensus at all!
I should say that while I don't think linguistics is of much direct use to a translator, it's still a wonderful subject. I wouldn't have studied anything else for the world.
It looks like you're thinking about a second or third degree here. If you're after something that will be useful in your translation career, I'd recommend a specialist subject area - law or business or finance, that sort of thing. That will help set you apart from other translators. If you're after a subject that will interest and beguile you, then definitely choose linguistics ▲ Collapse
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Phil Hand wrote:
I firmly believe that philology - basically etymology - is the worst thing you can possibly study. People who reach for the etymology of a word to explain its modern meaning are so wrong, so wrong. It's the worst kind of misleading language priggery.
Couldn't agree more. Etymology is very interesting but it's of no use for modern meanings. The same goes for classical languages being given as a reason for someone to use the ludicrous plural 'fora'
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