Goals Quote by Dimitri Gutas
““To be sure, there were attempts at translating the philosophy that was written in Greek into other languages – the presumed intention being to implant it in the cultures of the target languages – but such attempts, in the end, did not produce the intended results.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Translation and the Greek Philosophical Tradition, 1998
Efforts to render Greek philosophy into other languages often failed to embed its ideas in new cultures.
In simple terms: Translating philosophy rarely changes cultures.
Key Takeaway
Consider cultural context when translating ideas.
Themes
translation
culture
philosophy
communication
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
academic
critical
When to use this quote
- academic publishing
- cross‑cultural education
- language teaching
- intercultural dialogue
Key Concepts
semantic transfer
cultural adaptation
interpretive limits
Questions to Reflect On
- How can translators preserve meaning across cultures?
- What role does audience play in philosophical transmission?
A Different Perspective
Translations may lose nuance and depth.
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![“Certainly the most significant of [the political, social and ideological currents playing a role in the development of philosophical texts in Arabic] was the development of Islamic theology and the intense debate among the various groups and individuals about its eventual orientation.” quote by Dimitri Gutas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e51/dimitri-gutas-30388_ideological_certainly-the-most-significant-of-the-po_149792.jpg)
![“, the core of [Al-Kindi's] philosophical enterprise was centered in the geometrical approach to the solution of all problems associated with metaphysics and cosmology. This focus explains the fragmentary nature of the translations from Proclus and Plotinus that he commissioned, just as it explains…” quote by Dimitri Gutas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4bc/dimitri-gutas-30388_business_the-core-of-al-kindi-s-philosophical-ent_270059.jpg)
