Single Idea 6314

[catalogued under 19. Language / F. Communication / 6. Interpreting Language / c. Principle of charity]

Full Idea

Wanton translation can make natives sound as queer as one pleases; better translation imposes our logic upon them.

Gist of Idea

Weird translations are always possible, but they improve if we impose our own logic on them

Source

Willard Quine (Word and Object [1960], §13)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'Word and Object' [MIT 1969], p.58


A Reaction

This begins to point towards the principle of charity, on which Davidson is so keen, and even on doubts whether two different conceptual schemes are possible. Personally I think there is only one logic (deep down), and the natives will have it.