MrDistracted wrote:Thanks.
Just be aware, my course is more of a "How do you read the Kosha", rather than a line by line exposition. I cover the high points mainly, trying to make it practical Vajrayāna and Dzogchen practitioners.
MrDistracted wrote:Thanks.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Will wrote:It is good that enough rugged individualists have trod the narrow, winding path of Dharma translation into English that we have what we have now. But it is bad for the future if only a few 'hobbyists' decide to do this work.
Namdrol,Namdrol wrote:There is only one way to be a text translator. Just do it.
First read a lot of books for five years and learn Dharma. Then learn source language. Meanwhile practice as much as you can.
Then, having learned the souce language's grammar, practice in that langauge and translate the shit out of texts for 6-10 years before you even produce something worthwhile. Spend the next ten years polishing your craft. Minimum 60 hours a week working on translations. Read books the rest of the time, when you are not practicing. Do not, under any circumstances, join a Buddhist studies program and so on. Do not expect to make a living. Expect to be poor for many years.
If you want to translate, learn the grammer, start translating and ask qualified people to look at your stuff -- oh and study Abhidharma first.
If you are a poor writer in English, either improve your English skills or abandon hope because your translations will always be hopeless garabage even if you have understood the texts. There is so much hopeless garbage out there it seems we will never dig our way out of it.
Having the blessings of your guru helps.
Many days I generally work from 8 am to around 9 pm, usually without much of a break. I don't do it to get paid, I do it because I love it. For example, this morning i began at 7 am. It is 10 pm. I am still working.
Also remember, if you are happy with your translation, it probably sucks.
N
I have been asked to teach others in the past, but no one stays with the program.Mr. G wrote:Namdrol,Namdrol wrote:There is only one way to be a text translator. Just do it.
First read a lot of books for five years and learn Dharma. Then learn source language. Meanwhile practice as much as you can.
Then, having learned the souce language's grammar, practice in that langauge and translate the shit out of texts for 6-10 years before you even produce something worthwhile. Spend the next ten years polishing your craft. Minimum 60 hours a week working on translations. Read books the rest of the time, when you are not practicing. Do not, under any circumstances, join a Buddhist studies program and so on. Do not expect to make a living. Expect to be poor for many years.
If you want to translate, learn the grammer, start translating and ask qualified people to look at your stuff -- oh and study Abhidharma first.
If you are a poor writer in English, either improve your English skills or abandon hope because your translations will always be hopeless garabage even if you have understood the texts. There is so much hopeless garbage out there it seems we will never dig our way out of it.
Having the blessings of your guru helps.
Many days I generally work from 8 am to around 9 pm, usually without much of a break. I don't do it to get paid, I do it because I love it. For example, this morning i began at 7 am. It is 10 pm. I am still working.
Also remember, if you are happy with your translation, it probably sucks.
N
Have you ever thought of running a course like the Tibetan Language Institute for those that want to learn how to translate texts for their own personal use? A combination of video lectures online, forum discussion, and personal tutoring options? It'd be a great way for beginners to avoid the pitfalls that others have gone through in attempting to learn by themselves.
Hi Namdrol,Namdrol wrote:http://rsl-ne.com/abhidharma1.shtml
dakini_boi wrote:Hi Namdrol,Namdrol wrote:http://rsl-ne.com/abhidharma1.shtml
Could you provide the new link for this course? I know I asked you this once before, but I can't seem to find the post. Thanks again.
Whoa!Namdrol wrote:dakini_boi wrote:Hi Namdrol,Namdrol wrote:http://rsl-ne.com/abhidharma1.shtml
Could you provide the new link for this course? I know I asked you this once before, but I can't seem to find the post. Thanks again.
That website no longer exists and I no longer have any relationship with that organization or its teacher due to personal differences.
Not in the near future, no.tomamundsen wrote:
Whoa!
So, will you ever get the chance to teach the Pramanavarttika as planned?
Why not go it alone? There is plenty of free subscription style online classroom software nowadays.Namdrol wrote:Not in the near future, no.tomamundsen wrote: So, will you ever get the chance to teach the Pramanavarttika as planned?
mañjughoṣamaṇi wrote:Why not go it alone? There is plenty of free subscription style online classroom software nowadays.Namdrol wrote:Not in the near future, no.tomamundsen wrote: So, will you ever get the chance to teach the Pramanavarttika as planned?
The big problem is that so many teachers now speak English that people aren't as motivated to learn. It's good thing for students, but in terms of translation... *shrug* There are some very good, well-trained translators out there who don't translate because they want to get married, have kids, the house, need a full-time job for all that.Will wrote:The main obstacle is not $$$ Namdrol - but the feeble will & devotion of those Buddhist Gurus, translators & Dharma protectors, to at least plant the seeds of such schools.
I think literacy is quite possible without a teacher provided you have enough motivation and effort.simhamuka wrote: There's no hard and fast rule about what works, except that it's all about the teacher, never about the program.
That's very true. Sometimes it's two steps forward, one step back. I've decided language is like sediment: you just keep layering it in.Huifeng wrote:It's also easy to under estimate the actual amount of time and effort it takes to really get the language ability alone up to the required level, let alone the deeper understanding of texts and teachings.
~~ Huifeng
I love writing systems. When I was ten I used to want to write Cuneiform, and I started learning Tibetan by copying the seven line prayer on little slips of red paper (with my dad's gold calligraphy pen), without anyone to teach me. I got some of the letters wrong, but I was a kid. The great tragedy at UW was that I never got to take Professor Salomon's Ancient Writing Systems class. He used to play with me though, putting up Karoshti on the board and seeing if I could read it without his telling me. It was close enough to Tibetan that I usually could.Huseng wrote:If you make a hobby out of studying a classical language like Classical Chinese, Classical Tibetan, Sanskrit, Pali, Tangut or Khotanese, then it is an ongoing project that is both rewarding and enjoyable.simhamuka wrote: There's no hard and fast rule about what works, except that it's all about the teacher, never about the program.
...
However, if it isn't a hobby from the start, then it'll be a chore.
Oh absolutely. Other than writing systems I seem to do best in either university classes or one-on-one teachings. I'm definitely an oral learner.I think literacy is quite possible without a teacher provided you have enough motivation and effort.
Esukhia LEARN
Esukhia LEARN is creating modern methods to help preserve and promote the teachings of the Buddha and the Tibetan language and culture which form their main living medium.
The Tibetan language is the key to one of the richest philosophical and cultural traditions on earth. However, it’s under serious danger of becoming a dead language: there are serious restrictions in Tibet itself, many monasteries outside of Tibet are full of non-Tibetan students, and Tibetans themselves often prefer to study English, Hindi, Chinese or other languages depending on where they live.
Esukhia aims to preserve, revive and translate Tibetan into other languages; learning Tibetan is a very personal way in which one can help to keep the Buddha’s teaching alive.
Esukhia LEARN prepares and teaches online courses merging the modern (video-conference, e-learning platform, TFL methodology/Tibetan as a Foreign Language) with the traditional (trained teachers who graduated from Shedras or Tibetan universities).
Our range of 1-to-1 courses includes:
Tibetan Pronunciation and Reading (Esukhia LEARN method)
Spoken Tibetan (Manual of Standard Tibetan with Esukhia LEARN learning tools)
Philosophy Basics (Introduction to Buddhism by H.H. Dalai Lama)
Tibetan Grammar (Traditional texts taught using Esukhia LEARN method)
Literary Tibetan (Poetry, History, Tibetan Media)
Advanced Philosophy (Druptha, Lojong, Dudra)
Our teaching method
Esukhia LEARN approaches language learning the same way that you first learned a language — using a natural method that teaches language directly, without translation. That means no more confusing grammar explanations or mind-numbing vocabulary lists to memorize.
There are also wider benefits to learning with Esukhia. Tutoring jobs offer comparatively well-paid employment prospects for refugees and also encourage Tibetans to study their language at higher levels.
Esukhia LEARN’s benefits
High-quality lessons at an affordable price
Native-speaking tutors online (video chat) available on a daily basis
Proven methods and technologies
Conversation practice
Lessons on Buddhism, grammar and poetry for intermediate and advanced students
Excellent complement to instructor-led courses or private study
An opportunity for cultural exchange with Tibetan people
Flexible access, available any time, from anywhere
High social impact – employment and training opportunities for refugees