Thanks, Rett. Does this fine group here have a link or listing of
some of the best translations available? I am fortunate to have
funds available to invest.

What is everyone using to translate their Roman Script? PED means
Pali-English dictionary, I do not know the CPD acronym. Haven't
seen Cone's but I will check out.

Thanks for your help...

Jeff

--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, rett <rett@...> wrote:
>
> Dear Jeff,
>
> I just saw your message for the first time today.
>
> > Are translations that bad?
>
> Some are, some aren't. The Bodhi/Nanamoli translations (such as of
the Majjhimanikaaya) are excellent.
>
> >Wouldn't it make more sense to
> >just look up questionable words in the dictionary? Often authors
will
> >give you the Pali or Sanskrit word for you to look up.
>
> The dictionaries don't always have the last word on the matter. It
can be useful to look at how a word is used in many contexts to get
a better idea of its usage than what you'll find in, for example,
the PED. The CPD and Cone's dictionary are better, but they've only
gotten through about a third of the alphabet. Often you'll look a
word up in the dictionary only to find that the example cited is the
very spot, in the very text, that you're reading. How do you know
for sure that the lexicographer understands it better than you do?
>
> >
> >Also I've noticed that while learning this language is
interesting, it
> >is also distracting. My meditation could be more focused if I
didn't
> >have this distraction.
>
> This is a tradeoff many people have noticed. It depends entirely
on your goals and interests.
>
>
> >I will continue studying if I can find a
> >reason/meaning.
> >
>
> For me I enjoy being able to read the Buddha's dialogues and
sermons in something close to the original idiom. It's like with all
languages, there's a flavour to the original that doesn't come
through in translation. If that sort of thing attracts you, then it
could be a reason to spend time on study.
>
> best regards,
>
> /Rett
>