The one thing that separates mankind from other species is the ability to think. However, this ability would be of hardly any use if we didn't have the skill to communicate what we think. The need to express our thoughts & feelings have led us to develop languages since early civilizations. No wonder, a philosopher has said that to know a civilization it's language must be studied. And he was very right.
Words don't just describe the names of objects or places. Words actually are meant to convey highly developed concepts and ideas. The meaning that words of any language carry, demonstrates the power of the language. The depth & clarity of the meaning that is conveyed shows the intellectual & conceptual capacity of the people. The ability to express comprehensively, complex ideas per word and using effective combinations of such words to convey newer & finer concepts leads to brilliant eloquence. At the same time, economy of words ensures uncluttered delivery.
However, to grasp the exact meaning that is conveyed; to understand such renderings, requires similar conceptual and intellectual ability along with classic understanding of the language. I realized this when I was reading about arabic language. Arabic poetry is considered to be the most eloquent and expressive. A single word can convey different shades of meaning depending on the context. At many times, the word may embody all meanings ascribed to it and strikes the mind with blissful impact. The same is especially true for the arabic Quran. That is why translators find it very difficult to encapsulate the meanings without compromising the impact.
I find modern english to be lacking in this richness. An example will suffice. Consider the word God in english. I am choosing this word because all civilizations have believed in God and have expressed this in their language.
According to merriam webster's:
Main Entry: God
Pronunciation: \ˈgäd also ˈgȯd\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German got god
Date: before 12th century
1 capitalized : the supreme or ultimate reality: as a : the Being perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshipped as creator and ruler of the universe b Christian Science : the incorporeal divine Principle ruling over all as eternal Spirit : infinite Mind
2 : a being or object believed to have more than natural attributes and powers and to require human worship; specifically : one controlling a particular aspect or part of reality
3 : a person or thing of supreme value
4 : a powerful ruler
Now, let's see the meaning in arabic. The closest word that resembles God is Rabb:
Rabb: Master; Chief; Determiner; Provider; Sustainer; Perfecter; Rewarder; Ruler; Creator; Maintainer; Reposer of properties; Lord of nature; Developer; Former of rules and laws of the growth; Regulariser; Fosterer of a thing in such a manner as to make it attain one condition after another until it reaches its goal of completion. The word Rabb conveys not only the idea of fostering, bringing up or nourishing but also that of regulating, completing, accomplishing, cherishing, sustaining and bringing to maturity and evolution from the earliest state to that of the highest perfection. Rabb also means the originator of things and their combiner to create new forms and it means also the lawgiver who frames laws under which he propounds the shape which things must assume and the ratio and proportion in which various ingredients must combine with each other. He is the arranger of the different stages through which they have to pass on their way to perfection and completion. He sees to the necessary provisions for them in their journey. He is the Lord who puts things on the way of perfection. The word Rabb thus signifies many processes which every entity passes through its course of creation and evolution before it reaches its final development.
These meanings have not been forced and thrust upon this word. The lexicons of Arabic language speak of all of them when they give the detailed meanings of the root Rabb.
In both the languages compared, the meaning is a secular one. However, the richness of expression and detail is undoubtedly brilliant in arabic. No wonder, when words combine, they form new expressions and convey deeper meanings. Also, due to this property of arabic, since equivalent expressions in other languages can only be made in long sentences, it is very difficult to translate without losing it's original splendor, meaning and impact.
Words don't just describe the names of objects or places. Words actually are meant to convey highly developed concepts and ideas. The meaning that words of any language carry, demonstrates the power of the language. The depth & clarity of the meaning that is conveyed shows the intellectual & conceptual capacity of the people. The ability to express comprehensively, complex ideas per word and using effective combinations of such words to convey newer & finer concepts leads to brilliant eloquence. At the same time, economy of words ensures uncluttered delivery.
However, to grasp the exact meaning that is conveyed; to understand such renderings, requires similar conceptual and intellectual ability along with classic understanding of the language. I realized this when I was reading about arabic language. Arabic poetry is considered to be the most eloquent and expressive. A single word can convey different shades of meaning depending on the context. At many times, the word may embody all meanings ascribed to it and strikes the mind with blissful impact. The same is especially true for the arabic Quran. That is why translators find it very difficult to encapsulate the meanings without compromising the impact.
I find modern english to be lacking in this richness. An example will suffice. Consider the word God in english. I am choosing this word because all civilizations have believed in God and have expressed this in their language.
According to merriam webster's:
Main Entry: God
Pronunciation: \ˈgäd also ˈgȯd\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German got god
Date: before 12th century
1 capitalized : the supreme or ultimate reality: as a : the Being perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshipped as creator and ruler of the universe b Christian Science : the incorporeal divine Principle ruling over all as eternal Spirit : infinite Mind
2 : a being or object believed to have more than natural attributes and powers and to require human worship; specifically : one controlling a particular aspect or part of reality
3 : a person or thing of supreme value
4 : a powerful ruler
Now, let's see the meaning in arabic. The closest word that resembles God is Rabb:
Rabb: Master; Chief; Determiner; Provider; Sustainer; Perfecter; Rewarder; Ruler; Creator; Maintainer; Reposer of properties; Lord of nature; Developer; Former of rules and laws of the growth; Regulariser; Fosterer of a thing in such a manner as to make it attain one condition after another until it reaches its goal of completion. The word Rabb conveys not only the idea of fostering, bringing up or nourishing but also that of regulating, completing, accomplishing, cherishing, sustaining and bringing to maturity and evolution from the earliest state to that of the highest perfection. Rabb also means the originator of things and their combiner to create new forms and it means also the lawgiver who frames laws under which he propounds the shape which things must assume and the ratio and proportion in which various ingredients must combine with each other. He is the arranger of the different stages through which they have to pass on their way to perfection and completion. He sees to the necessary provisions for them in their journey. He is the Lord who puts things on the way of perfection. The word Rabb thus signifies many processes which every entity passes through its course of creation and evolution before it reaches its final development.
These meanings have not been forced and thrust upon this word. The lexicons of Arabic language speak of all of them when they give the detailed meanings of the root Rabb.
In both the languages compared, the meaning is a secular one. However, the richness of expression and detail is undoubtedly brilliant in arabic. No wonder, when words combine, they form new expressions and convey deeper meanings. Also, due to this property of arabic, since equivalent expressions in other languages can only be made in long sentences, it is very difficult to translate without losing it's original splendor, meaning and impact.
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