Sophronius comments on Translating bad advice - Less Wrong

16 Post author: Sophronius 14 April 2015 09:20AM

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Comment author: [deleted] 15 April 2015 03:40:48PM *  2 points [-]

I translate "I might have my own truth, but other people have their truth as well" as "You might have your perspective, but other people have their own perspectives. No one has the complete truth (territory), so don't state your mere perspective as if it's the complete truth."

Another translation" "You may be certain you're right, but the people you're arguing with are just as certain that they are right."

Comment author: Sophronius 15 April 2015 04:43:37PM *  2 points [-]

That is a perfectly valid interpretation, but it doesn't explain why several people independently felt the need to explain this to me specifically, especially since it was worded in general terms and at the time I was just stating facts. This implied that there was something about me specifically that was bothering them.

Hence the lesson: Translate by finding out what made them give that advice in the first place, and only then rephrase it as good advice.