Patrick Chou Week 10: Lost in Idioms
Language and cultural barriers make multilingual communication difficult. When directly translated, idioms and expressions might cause confusion. An example of this is when you try to translate "I lost my keys" word for word in Chinese you get "I lost my keys" lost as in to loose a competition. Or think of the expression "kick the bucket." It means "to die" in English, although a direct translation into another language could lead to misunderstandings.
Idioms are difficult to translate accurately. The cultural context in which they arise has a profound impact on their meanings. It thus becomes a delicate balance, with nuances and subtleties easily lost in the verbal interaction, to attempt to transmit the core of an idiomatic word in another language. Idioms can convey humor, common experiences, and cultural wisdom in a few short words. As an example, the English expression "spill the beans" implies disclosing a secret. Nevertheless, the picture is lost in a literal translation, and the intended meaning might not be understood by someone who is not familiar with the cultural origins of the term.
The complexities of non-translatable idioms highlight the value of cultural awareness and the demand for practical resources to handle these linguistic idiosyncrasies. Although useful, translation technology struggles to capture the nuances of colloquial language, underscoring the crucial role that cultural sensitivity plays in multilingual communication.
To sum up, the fact that idioms are not translatable provides an engaging focus point within the large field of multilingual communication. It pushes us to recognize the distinctive qualities of every language and promotes a closer examination of the cultural settings that influence the colloquial terms we use on a daily basis. Understanding the nuances of idioms opens the door to better cross-cultural understanding as we navigate this linguistic tapestry, enhancing our international talks with the cultural gems woven throughout our languages.
Hi Patrick. I can relate to not being able to translate idiomatic expressions across languages. When I’m trying to express an idea in English that I usually say in my mother tongue, I find myself at a loss for words because English can’t express the same idea in a word or short phrase. I’m sure countless others face this struggle, and I’m glad you pointed out the benefits of having linguistic differences, as they can give each language its own flavor. It’s fascinating to note that many of these linguistic barriers are the result of cultural differences, as many words in, for example, Greek could have a separate connotation from a similar word in English due to the contrasts in the general society where each language is spoken. Additionally, I liked how you ended your blog by saying that the nuances of idiomatic expressions across human languages allow us to understand other cultures since it was a fitting end to your discussion about the uniqueness of idioms.
ReplyDeleteHi Patrick, I found your thoughts on idioms to be very relatable. Whenever I encounter an idiom I have not heard before, I am often extremely confused. However, when I look at idioms in another language, I am even more lost. I can not imagine how hard it is for foreign students to learn idioms in langauges if they have not encountered them in everyday language. Idioms are something that we must memorize or mentally link after hearing them being used. Idioms are not necessary to understand, but they may confuse someone while they are reading a text or processing media. Although it so not essential to memorize them to speak proficient English, it might deter someone from fully understanding a passage.
ReplyDeleteI believe that idioms are trite and banal. Not only do they often not add to the meaning of phrases, they just create more confusion and chaos. In addition, many TV shows use idioms to write poor jokes and comedy into their scripts. Although you mention that idioms enhance our talks, I do not think that they add much depth to our words. Instead, they add another weight to foreign speakers trying to learn the language and add more confusing aspects to an already perplexing language. I believe that people should aim to use real language in their speech instead of idioms.
Hello Patrick!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your claim that idioms are translated according to a collective cultural identity that summarizes the point of idioms as a portal to finding the cultural connections that we have with others in our society. Something that I realized when reading your blog is the importance of cultural appreciation that we must develop as a society for the language that connects us. Cultural interrelationships exist among our societal mutual interests; I especially enjoy your reference to a linguistic tapestry you create with the image you include in your blog. The idioms you utilize in the blog relate to the audience by presenting some sentences that may have different meanings depending on the literal meaning and the figurative context.
Blogs are often accompanied by a visual representation of the discussion that you are communicating; as a visual learner, I appreciate your gesture to stimulate the properties of idioms you elaborate upon as being distinctive and unique to every language. Intriguingly, you introduce the effects of idioms by analyzing the information presented in different languages. The descriptive and persuasive blog incorporates the human reliance on linguistic diversity and the necessity of communication concisely and promptly. The audience of high school students can gain another perspective on the importance of learning multiple languages and comprehending the cultural diversity accompanying the bilingual experience.