Synthesized answer
Iamblichus' observation that "every nation has some idiomatic expressions which it is impossible to render perfectly in the language of another" directly supports the existence and purpose of a glossary like "Hobson-Jobson" by highlighting the inherent limitations of translation when it comes to unique national expressions [1, 4]. This suggests that when different linguistic groups interact, a need arises to bridge these communication gaps.
The glossary "Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms" addresses this by focusing on "Oriental words highly assimilated, perhaps by vulgar lips, to the English vernacular" [3]. It aims to deal with words that "recur constantly in the daily intercourse of the English in India," either because they express ideas not covered by English or because speakers believe they cannot be precisely denoted by any English term [5]. This directly reflects Iamblichus' point by providing a resource for understanding terms that are difficult to translate perfectly into another language [1, 4].
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
αθ' ἕκαστον ἔθνος ἰδιώματα ἀδύνατα εἰς ἄλλο ἔθνος διὰ φωνῆς σημαίνεσθαι "— Iamblichus , De Mysteriis , vii. cap. v. i.e. "For it is by no means always the case that translated terms preserve the original conception; indeed every nation has some idiomatic expressions which it is impossible to render perfectly in the language of another." "As well may we fetch words from the Ethiopians , or East or West Indians , and thrust them into our Language, and baptize all by the name of English , as those which we daily take from the Latine or Languages thereon depending; and hence it cometh, (as by…
dem est; VOCEM sic semper eandem Esse, sed in varias doceo migrare figuras." Ovid. Metamorph. xv. 169-172 (adapt.). "... Take this as a good fare-well draught of English-Indian liquor ."— Purchas , To the Reader ( before Terry's Relation of East India), ii. 1463 (misprinted 1464). "Nec dubitamus multa esse quae et nos praeterierint. Homines enim sumus, et occupati officiis; subsicivisque temporibus ista curamus."— C. Plinii Secundi , Hist. Nat. Praefatio, ad Vespasianum . "Haec, si displicui, fuerint solatia nobis: Haec fuerint nobis praemia, si placui." Martialis , Epigr. II. xci.…
which has been given to this book (not without the expressed assent of my collaborator), doubtless requires explanation. A valued friend of the present writer many years ago published a book, of great acumen and considerable originality, which he called Three Essays , with no Author's name; and the resulting amount of circulation was such as might have been expected. It was remarked at the time by another friend that if the volume had been entitled A Book, by a Chap , it would have found a much larger body of readers. It seemed to me that A Glossary or A Vocabulary would be equally…
← Hobson-Jobson ( 1903 ) by Henry Yule and Arthur Burnell A → 2629965 Hobson-Jobson 1903 Henry Yule and Arthur Burnell [ A ] - [ B ] - [ C ] - [ D ] - [ E ] - [ F ] - [ G ] - [ H ] - [ I ] - [ J ] - [ K ] - [ L ] - [ M ] - [ N ] - [ O ] - [ P ] - [ Q ] - [ R ] - [ S ] - [ T ] - [ U ] - [ V ] - [ W ] - [ X ] - [ Y ] - [ Z ] A GLOSSARY OF ANGLO-INDIAN COLLOQUIAL WORDS AND PHRASES AND OF KINDRED TERMS ["Wee have forbidden the severall Factoryes from wrighting words in this languadge and refrayned itt our selves, though in bookes of coppies we feare there are many which by wante of tyme for…
e to affect its distinctive character, in which something has been aimed at differing in form from any work known to us. In its original conception it was intended to deal with all that class of words which, not in general pertaining to the technicalities of administration, recur constantly in the daily intercourse of the English in India, either as expressing ideas really not provided for by our mother-tongue, or supposed by the speakers (often quite erroneously) to express something not capable of just denotation by any English term. A certain percentage of such words have been carried to…
More questions about this book
- Based on the various historical quotes and the glossary's title, what fundamental challenge in language and communication does "Hobson-Jobson" seek to address? Explain this challenge in simple terms.
- Compare and contrast the perspectives on language mixing presented by the Surat Factors in 1617 and R. Verstegan in 1673. What underlying motivations or concerns might have driven their respective views?
- The glossary focuses on "colloquial Anglo-Indian words and phrases." What does the term "colloquial" imply about the nature and usage of these words, and why would their informal status make them particularly prone to misunderstanding or difficulty for those outside the immediate cultural context?
- Ovid's quote likens language to wax that changes forms but retains its essence. How does this metaphor effectively capture the dynamic process of linguistic borrowing and evolution depicted throughout the excerpt, particularly in the context of Anglo-Indian language?