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German to English translations [PRO] Social Sciences - Linguistics / evolutionary linguistics
German term or phrase:Sprachauffassung
I expect this is going to be one of those obvious ones for those in the know, but I am feeling rather doubtful about my rendering of the sentence in question, and would be grateful for any comments from those with expertise in this field. My doubts hinge specifically around the term 'Sprachauffassung' - I want to get the correct terminology for the linguistics field, please.
This is taken from a text about writing-induced concepts of language.
Speaking of the emergence of alphabets:
Erst die Anpassung der semitischen Schriften an das Griechische [...] führt zur Unterscheidung von Vokalen, Sonanten, Konsonanten und damit zu einer kategorialen Unterschreitung der Silbengrenze. Es ist dieser Assimilationsprozeß, der dem Alphabet seinen einzigartigen Abstraktionsgrad verliehen hat. Jede Zuordnung der graphischen Form zu Anschauung und Begriff ist hier aufgehoben. Unter dieser Bedingung, nämlich durch die ganz formale Natur des Alphabets, kann erst die Idee der Grammatik als Systemisierung einer Sprachauffassung entstehen.
My rough stab at the last sentence so far is:
Only in this circumstance, that is, by means of the completely formal nature of the alphabet, can the idea of grammar as the systemisation of a conception of language come into being.
Any thoughts from linguistically gifted colleagues much appreciated.
Explanation: One section of the international conference "The Unifying Aspects of Cultures" in 2003 was called: "Standardvariationen und Sprachauffassungen in verschiedenen Sprachkulturen" | "Standard Variations and Conceptions of Language in Various Language Cultures".
Since this refers to various early languages, rather than just German, for instance, I think this is the correct answer in this particular context. I agree that were it related only to one language, it would not make much sense, but these are very varying grammars here, I suppose. Thanks to everyone for helping me gain clarity. 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
There can be (and there are) different conceptions of a language but just one at a time can form the basis of a particular grammar system. It's not like the division into nouns, verbs etc is the only way to reflect on a language, "THE Grammar". Take another conception and you can create another system - which is precisely what many grammarians did.
confusing, is that there are many books in German entitled, Die Sprachauffassung von - Alfons der Weise/Novalis/der englischen Vorromantik. These I would probably translate as 'conception of language'. In the sentence I have to translate here, I am wondering whether the author is inferring one conception of language, which to me makes no sense - why in that case not just call it language? Or does he mean that grammar assists any systemisation of language? Since he says 'Systemisierung EINER Sprachauffassung' I would have to go with the second interpretation. Please feel free to let me know if I have been working too hard and have lost the plot.
I interpret it a bit differently. I believe the sentence states that an intuitive understanding of how a language functions (Sprachauffassung) has been there all the time and can at last be transformed into a system (Grammatik).
.. grammar as a systematic framework through which language can be understood
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Answers
3 hrs confidence:
language formalization
Explanation: I just want to offer a a translation deviating from the words used but capturing the essence in linguistics terms.
" Grammar as a basis for formalized linguistic structure can only be understood within a broader framework of formal nature of the alphabets"
Just my two cents :)
Anbu Ambrose India Local time: 01:25 Specializes in field Native speaker of: Tamil, English
Explanation: One section of the international conference "The Unifying Aspects of Cultures" in 2003 was called: "Standardvariationen und Sprachauffassungen in verschiedenen Sprachkulturen" | "Standard Variations and Conceptions of Language in Various Language Cultures".
Also see reference. Reposted upon request. :)
tbilimava Germany Works in field Native speaker of: Russian, Belarusian PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Since this refers to various early languages, rather than just German, for instance, I think this is the correct answer in this particular context. I agree that were it related only to one language, it would not make much sense, but these are very varying grammars here, I suppose. Thanks to everyone for helping me gain clarity.
Reference: Language conception or conception of language
Reference information: One section of the international conference "The Unifying Aspects of Cultures" in 2003 was called: "Standardvariationen und Sprachauffassungen in verschiedenen Sprachkulturen" | "Standard Variations and Conceptions of Language in Various Language Cultures".
See the report in: TRANS, Internet journal for cultural sciences
The translation workplace 
