Ways Of Thinking, Language, Translation

2011-Feb-28

I've learned many different computer programming languages. Each programming language is designed to emphasize certain ways of thinking and solving problems. Certainly, whenever I learn a new programming language, I learn new concepts, and subsequently, new ways of solving problems. At first, a new language and the concepts it embodies may seem radically different. However, as I develop deeper understandings of the concepts emphasized in the new language, I realize that those concepts are not exclusive to that language. All along, I could have used these concepts in any other programming language (although they may have to be expressed quite differently). Consequently, each time I learn another language, the possibility of what I can do in any other language expands.

Human languages differ substantially from computer languages. Still, I wonder if accurately translating ideas between different human languages is as impossible as some people claim. Perhaps, just like with computer languages, it just takes a care and strong understanding of the source language and culture to translate foreign ideas clearly and precisely.