Synthesized answer
The 1617 quote from the Surat Factors expresses concern about the "growing use of 'Hobson-Jobsons'" and reveals a directive to avoid writing in "this languadge," with the hope of rectifying existing instances in copied books [1]. This stance contrasts sharply with the later creation of *Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Anglo-Indian Colloquial Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms*, published in 1903 by Henry Yule and Arthur Burnell [2, 1]. The glossary aims to explain these terms, which are described as Oriental words assimilated to the English vernacular or corruptions of Oriental words and phrases that have taken on an English form [3, 4].
This shift suggests an evolving perspective on language and cultural interaction. While the Surat Factors viewed the "Hobson-Jobsons" as a problem to be eradicated, the creation of a comprehensive glossary indicates a later effort to document, understand, and preserve these linguistic phenomena. The glossary itself acknowledges that such terms are "typical and delightful examples" of Anglo-Indian argot, implying a greater appreciation for the linguistic fusion [3]. The passages do not explicitly state what this shift suggests about the evolving…
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From the book
← 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…
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…
ng; whilst in other cases our language has formed in India new compounds applicable to new objects or shades of meaning. To one or other of these classes belong outcry , buggy , home , interloper , rogue (-elephant), tiffin , furlough , elk , roundel ('an umbrella,' obsolete), pish-pash , earth-oil , hog-deer , flying-fox , garden-house , musk-rat , nor-wester , iron-wood , long-drawers , barking-deer , custard-apple , grass-cutter , &c. Other terms again are corruptions, more or less violent, of Oriental words and phrases which have put on an English mask. Such are maund , fool's rack ,…
Vocabularies of Indian and other foreign words, in use among Europeans in the East, have not unfrequently been printed. Several of the old travellers have attached the like to their narratives; whilst the prolonged excitement created in England, a hundred years since, by the impeachment of Hastings and kindred matters, led to the publication of several glossaries as independent works; and a good many others have been published in later days. At the end of this Introduction will be found a list of those which have come under my notice, and this might no doubt be largely added to. Of modern…
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?
- Iamblichus and Verstegan both touch upon the idea that perfect translation is impossible and that borrowing can lead to misunderstanding. How might the authors of "Hobson-Jobson" have used their glossary to mitigate these inherent linguistic challenges for their readers?
- 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?