S. Worthen | Weblog

I have about a year and a half left in my PhD. Time to write my dissertation, have at least one publication pending, pass the PhD Latin exam (technically, this is optional), and to apply to whatever comes next. We're thinking that what should come next should be a postdoc somewhere in Europe, where C. can work without a visa, and we can both improve our language skills.

The thing is... I don't know how good my chances are at a postdoc in a country where I'm not fluent in the native language. I know I'll need to start applying for things this autumn, but it doesn't seem real or possible yet. That's a long ways off from some perspectives, and so close from other angles. In the intervening months I need to find the right programs to apply to, find sources of funding, and, of course, make substantial progress on the dissertation. It may be a long way off, but I'm already feeling nervous about the entire process.

On Saturday I went to a lovely Lenten choral concert, wherein irvinl was performing. The program notes helpfully provided the latin lyrics and their english translations for the audience. "quia pius es" - addressed to God - was translated as "for your mercy's sake." The English sounds an awful lot more elegant than the translation in my head: "'cause you're pious."

In the same vein, Summa contra mumdum has a recent, relevant post on inconsistant translations between Latin and English, this time in the liturgy.