Synthesized answer
The authors of "Hobson-Jobson" intended their glossary to address linguistic challenges arising from translation and borrowing by explaining terms and phrases. They aimed to present Anglo-Indian colloquialisms and kindred terms in a way that would be accessible to their readers [Passage 2]. The glossary itself contains entries on words like "Hobson-Jobson," which is described as a typical and delightful example of Oriental words assimilated into the English vernacular [Passage 4]. Additionally, entries for words such as "bearer," "mate," and "cotwal" are noted to have dual or doubtful ancestry and can be referenced within the glossary [Passage 5].
The authors also addressed orthography by providing headings under the most usual popular spellings, while the original Oriental words were presented under precise transliteration [Passage 5]. This approach aimed to mitigate misunderstandings that could arise from variations in spelling and pronunciation, even though one of the authors admitted to not always being consistent in adhering to a single system in the discursive parts of the book [Passage 5]. The passages do not explicitly detail *how* the glossary mitigates the inherent…
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.…
← 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…
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…
me mangle is undoubtedly the parent of the French manglier , and not improbably therefore of the English form mangrove . The words bearer , mate , cotwal , partake of this kind of dual or doubtful ancestry, as may be seen by reference to them in the Glossary. Before concluding, a word should be said as to the orthography used in the Glossary. My intention has been to give the headings of the articles under the most usual of the popular, or, if you will, vulgar quasi-English spellings, whilst the Oriental words, from which the headings are derived or corrupted, are set forth under precise…
More questions about this book
- The opening quotes discuss challenges in translation, the acceptance of foreign words, and linguistic purity. What central dilemma or linguistic phenomenon do these diverse perspectives collectively highlight, and how does the existence of "Hobson-Jobson" itself offer a response to this?
- The 1617 quote from the Surat Factors expresses concern about the "growing use of 'Hobson-Jobsons'." How does this historical stance contrast with the later creation of a comprehensive glossary for these same terms, and what does this shift suggest about the evolving nature of language and cultural interaction?
- Considering the "Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive" scope of the glossary, what kind of understanding of language and culture do you think the authors were trying to foster, beyond merely defining words, and why is this deeper context crucial for Anglo-Indian colloquialisms?
- If you were to explain the core purpose and significance of "Hobson-Jobson" to someone unfamiliar with its historical context, using only the insights gleaned from the introductory material, how would you articulate why such a glossary was not just useful, but perhaps essential, at the turn of the 20th century?