Dhammajoti,

The short answer why there are no exact English translations for Pali words
is because there are NO exact English translations for the Pali words.

It is not a matter of translating word for word: then a computer can do this
better.
It is a matter of translating the MEANING: that is why we need human
translators,
and not just any human translator, but those with some direct experience of
Buddhist
spirituality.
Of course, we can practise translating the Pali texts (as I am doing), which
is a great way of learning Buddhism.

With metta,

Piya Tan

On 2/10/07, johan wijaya <dhamma_joti@...> wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> Namo Buddhaya,
> I am a newcomer in this group, and i am working on the translation of
> Jaataka from English-Indonesian, and also as my references, i use the Pali
> version from Pali Teks Society and Vipassana Research Institute. I would
> like to know whether there are some among u guys who understand about
> Indonesian language or not as it would really give me a big help. During
> this period of translating, i do always have problem with the inconsistency
> of English language when translating the Pali words so i do need help from u
> guys to figure out problems that i am having, and it would be a big help if
> u know Indonesian language. I'll post the problems on the next mail....
>
> Sukhihontu,
>
> Dhammajoti.
>
>
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