Translating Dharma and secularism

[HinduWoman]

Jobar spoke about difficulties in translation. Here are two examples from religion ---

In Indian languages there is no exact equivalent of secularism. Even after so many decades the concept is too alien to be translated properly.

I think this can be traced also to the fact (besides a religious mindset) that Indians have the concept of dharma. Again dharma cannot be translated into English properly though the term religion is used. At best we have 'a way of life' or culture which is really vague. I would say it is more 'what is right' applicable to human conduct, natural world and the supernatural.

This in turn have influenced the fundamentalist movements. Christian and Muslims speak of returning to pure faith, while Hindu nationalist movements speak of protecting tradition.
Christians and Muslims say God wants women to dress in a particular way; Hindus say it is our culture for women to dress in a certain way.

It is really very interesting to think whether there are some concepts that some languages are not capable of expressing.

[Eudaimonist]

Certainly. The Greek word "eudaimonia" used in Greek philosophy is very difficult to translate adequately into English. Various attempts have been made: "happiness", "success", "prosperity", "self-actualization", "self-realization", "personal flourishing", but all seem inadequate somehow.


eudaimonia,

Mark

[Jobar]

Interesting how words in different languages can have not just different denotations- dictionary definitions- but also different connotations, the tone or implication.

I don't speak Chinese, but I've read that language has no clear distinction between nouns and verbs. I find that very hard to conceive. But (again according to what I've read) it means that such concepts as 'Tao' may be much easier to understand in Chinese, than they are in English.

[DMB]

More than we might think, language reflects culture. I find this even between English and French, which are closely related languages and where to outsiders there probably seem to be nearly identical cultures.

[Lugubert]

I don't speak Chinese, but I've read that language has no clear distinction between nouns and verbs. I find that very hard to conceive.
And yet, English often doesn't distinguish between verbs, nouns and adjectives. Reading this, you could label this post a reading or reading matter.

And English is very capable of verbing nouns (http://www.engagingexperience.com/2006/09/verbing_nouns.html) and nouning verbs.

In the same way, what we regard as adjectives will often be classified as "stative verbs" in Chinese. That car is red. That car reds. That lawn greens lovely. You'll get used to it. Grammatically, learning to speak Chinese isn't too hard. It's the reading and writing that need hard work.

[premjan]

Dharma is loosely translated as virtue or duty.

[Lugubert]

I think this can be traced also to the fact (besides a religious mindset) that Indians have the concept of dharma. Again dharma cannot be translated into English properly though the term religion is used.
Dharma is loosely translated as virtue or duty.
My bold. Much depends on the context. In its homeland, Hinduism is called Sanātana Dharma or Dharmam Sanātanam (Pali: Dhammo Sanatano), according to Wikipedia "lit. 'the way of life'". The Pali term is used in Buddhism.

In almost an essay, M. Monier-Williams' Sanskrit Dictionary starts with "that which is established or firm, steadfast decree, statute, ordinance, law, usage, practice, customary observance or prescribed conduct..."

The first few translations/explanations in R.S. McGregor's Hindi-English Dictionary are "1. what is to to be held or kept: the complex of religious and social obligations which a devout Hindu is required to fulfil, right action; duty; morality; virtue; virtuos life; justice. 2. customary observances o community or sect, &c. 3. the prescriptions or sanctions of religion; moral law. 4. religion.