more from Laurence Bonjour

Single Idea 3698

[catalogued under 19. Language / F. Communication / 6. Interpreting Language / b. Indeterminate translation]

Full Idea

The thesis of the indeterminacy of translation would be better described as the thesis of the indeterminacy of meaning and belief.

Gist of Idea

Indeterminacy of translation is actually indeterminacy of meaning and belief

Source

Laurence Bonjour (In Defence of Pure Reason [1998], §3.5)

Book Reference

Bonjour,Laurence: 'In Defense of Pure Reason' [CUP 1998], p.79


A Reaction

Not necessarily. It is not incoherent to believe that the target people have a coherent and stable system of meaning and belief, but finding its translation indeterminate because it is holistic, and rooted in a way of life.