Informative Text (T-E): Thailand | Introduction to Translation

Department of English

Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University

2202124 Introduction to Translation

Informative Text (Thai-English) Discussion

The translations given on this page are neither comprehensive nor definitive. They are here to give you an idea of the range of possibilities and to spark discussion. Suggestions and comments are welcome.

Translate the following into English.

วัด ยังคงเป็นศูนย์กลางของสังคมชนบทในหลาย ๆ ด้าน แม้ว่าบทบาทของวัดบางประการ เช่นเป็นที่ให้การศึกษาจะหมดไปแล้ว คนชนบทส่วนใหญ่ชอบสร้างและบำรุงรักษาวัด เพราะเห็นว่าวัดเป็นสิ่งสำคัญในสังคมที่เจริญแล้ว ก่อนอื่นวัดเป็นที่ประกอบพิธีกรรมทางศาสนา ซึ่งชาวบ้านทั้งหมู่บ้านจะมาทำร่วมกัน โดยมีวัตถุประสงค์หลัก คือ การทำบุญ ชาวบ้านจะศึกษาพระธรรมคำสอนของพระพุทธเจ้า ฝึกสมาธิวิปัสสนา ตลอดจนขอคำแนะนำต่าง ๆ จากพระ พระบางรูปยังช่วยรักษาชาวบ้านที่เจ็บไข้ได้ป่วยโดยใช้ยาสมุนไพรอีกด้วย ในแง่หนึ่งพระจึงเป็นผู้นำของสังคมชนบท นอกจากนี้ วัดยังเป็นที่พึ่งพิงของคนแก่ คนอนาถาที่ไม่มีที่จะไป นี่คือสิ่งที่วัดให้กับสังคมไทยในชนบท

Translation 1: Sample for Critique

Temples are still central to rural communities in many ways. Though certain roles of this institution, like being a place of education, are now obsolete, most people in the provinces still enjoy building and supporting temples because they see them as important for a civilized society. First and foremost, the temple is a place for religious services where the entire village will take part, the main purpose being making merit. People study the Buddha's dharma, meditate, as well as consult monks on various things. Some monks even treat ailing villagers with herbal medicine. In one sense, monks are a leader of rural society. Furthermore, the temple is a refuge for the elderly or destitute who have no other place to stay. These are what temples offer to Thai rural communities.

Translation 2: Sample for Critique

The temple is still the center of the rural community in many respects, although some of its functions, such as as an educational center, no longer exist. Most rural people like to build and maintain the wat as they see it as an integral part of a civilized society. First of all, the temple is a center for religious ceremonies which involve the community as a whole and the main purpose is to make merit. The villagers learn about Buddha’s teachings, practice meditation and ask for advice from the monks. Some monks even provide health care for the people using herbal medicine. Thus, in a way, a monk is a leader of a rural community. Moreover, a wat is usually a sanctuary for the old and the destitute who have nowhere to go. All this is what the Wat provides for the rural Thai community.

Reference

Discussion

ที่
- place
- site
- location
- locale
สร้าง

build
construct
establish
found

บำรุงรักษาวัด

support
contribute to
provide for
sustain
sponsor
maintain
upkeep

วัด เป็นที่ประกอบพิธีกรรมทางศาสนา

services

ceremonies
worship
rites
rituals

held

take place

ซึ่งชาวบ้านทั้งหมู่บ้านจะมาทำ ร่วมกัน

participate

take part
congregate

false cognates

ฝึก vs. practice

train
exercise
do

ตลอดจนขอคำแนะนำต่าง ๆ จากพระ

various issues

sundry subjects
all sorts of things

ในแง่หนึ่งพระจึงเป็นผู้นำของ สังคมชนบท

monks are leaders of rural society

monks are a leader in rural society
monks are leaders in the rural community
monks are leaders of their rural communities

Vocabulary

central
- central (Cobuild Advanced English Dictionary)
  1. adjective
  Something that is central is in the middle of a place or area.
  ...Central America's Caribbean coast.
  The disruption has now spread and is affecting a large part of central Liberia.
  ...a rich woman living in central London.
  Synonyms: main, central, chief, key
  centrally    adverb [ADVERB -ed, ADVERB after verb]
  The main cabin has its full-sized double bed centrally placed with plenty of room around it.
  2. adjective
  A place that is central is easy to reach because it is in the centre of a city, town, or particular area.
  ...a central location in the capital.
  centrally    adverb [ADVERB -ed, ADVERB after verb]
  ...this centrally located hotel, situated on the banks of the Marne Canal.
  3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
  A central group or organization makes all the important decisions that are followed throughout a larger organization or a country.
  There is a lack of trust towards the central government in Rome.
  ...the central committee of the Cuban communist party.
  centrally    adverb [ADVERB -ed, ADVERB after verb]
  This is a centrally planned economy.
  4. adjective
  The central person or thing in a particular situation is the most important one.
  Black dance music has been central to mainstream pop since the early '60s. [+ to]
  ...a central part of their culture.
  centrality    uncountable noun
  The centrality of the German economy to the welfare of Europe must be recognised. [+ of]
  centrally    adverb [ADVERB after verb]
  In her memoirs Naomi is quick to acknowledge that her grandmother was centrally important in her venture as a writer.
heart

heart (Collins Advanced English Dictionary)
5. singular noun
The heart of something is the most central and important part of it.
The heart of the problem is supply and demand. [+ of]
Money lies at the heart of the debate over airline safety.
Synonyms: root, core, essence, centre
6. singular noun
The heart of a place is its centre.
...a busy dentists' practice in the heart of London's West End. [+ of]

อนาถา
- destitute
- homeless
- indigent

Links

Gilford T. Monrose, "The Role and Importance of the Church in the Community," Huffington Post, 19 Sep. 2012.
พริบพันดาว, "วัด บันดาลใจ ทางเลือกพึ่งพาจิตพักพิงใจ," Post Today, 6 Aug. 2015.

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Last updated March 25, 2018