I think that any translation should at least sound like valid
English (which "goers" doesn't to my ears).

For showing the translator's thinking (and helping others learn the
language), the tri-linear format that Yong Peng is using in Series A
[de Silva], and I am using in Series C[Warder], is very useful in
this regard, since it gives both the literal word-by-word and the
more fluent English.

Metta, John

--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, rett <rett@...> wrote:
> Greetings Bhante,
>
> >
> >I know that this is definitely "asmimana-based", but I must say
that
> >I like your choice, Rett. Seems like we share the same
inclination
> >in translation.
>
>
> Thanks. I'm curious, what's 'asmimana-based' mean? Do you mean
> something like "'I am' mind" i.e. by discussing our preferences we
> might reinforce our self-referencing thinking? If so I'm guilty of
> that constantly :-) Or does it mean something else?
>
> About the translations, I guess the right choice of style depends
on
> what the translation will be used for. I agree that finding a
really
> apt formulation can give a thrill. In any case, in translating
> exercises, this sort of very literal translation is nice becaue it
> really shows how the translator was thinking when he or she read
the
> Pali. If the text is to be read by someone who doesn't know Pali,
> then the translation needs to be freer and idiomatically and
> syntactically correct of course.
>
> best regards
>
> /Rett