要想学习到最本质的经济学当然还是必须看原著,当然如果只是为了省事看中文也无妨,但有时候反而会欲速则不大。就像最近和同学们交流时候说到的一个词——idea,中文好像很简单,不就是主意想法吗。但实际上远非这么简单。让我们看看韦氏词典解释吧:
1 a : a transcendent entity that is a real pattern of which existing things are imperfect representations b : a standard of perfection : IDEAL c : a plan for action : DESIGN
2 archaic : a visible representation of a conception : a replica of a pattern
3 a obsolete : an image recalled by memory b : an indefinite or unformed conception c : an entity (as a thought, concept, sensation, or image) actually or potentially present to consciousness
4 : a formulated thought or opinion
5 : whatever is known or supposed about something *a child's idea of time*
6 : the central meaning or chief end of a particular action or situation
7 Christian Science : an image in Mind
–idealess \*-*d*-*-l*s\ adjective
synonyms IDEA, CONCEPT, CONCEPTION, THOUGHT, NOTION, IMPRESSION mean what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan). IDEA may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed *innovative ideas* *my idea of paradise*. CONCEPT may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be *a society with no concept of private property*. CONCEPTION is often interchangeable with CONCEPT; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result *our changing conception of what constitutes art*. THOUGHT is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining *commit your thoughts to paper*. NOTION suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental *you have the oddest notions*. IMPRESSION applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses *the first impression is of soaring height*.ÿÿÿ_
英语中很多表达也是这样,在中文中很难找到一个合适的对应,这样有些意思就会在翻译过程中eliminated.如果有从事研究或者向更好地理解经济学,真的需要花时间养成阅读英文著作的习惯。