incorrigible vs. unteachable

[Lenka]

I wonder whether the word "unteachable" is used is the same meaning as incorrigible in English.
For example, if I tell a child not to touch e.g. an iron and he always touches it (although he's burnt his fingers several times) and never learns from this, shall I call him incorrigible or unteacheble? Is there a difference between the adectives?

[Harry Smith]

Originally Posted by Lenka

I wonder whether the word "unteachable" is used is the same meaning as incorrigible in English.
For example, if I tell a child not to touch e.g. an iron and he always touches it (although he's burnt his fingers several times) and never learns from this, shall I call him incorrigible or unteacheble? Is there a difference between the adectives?

Why don't you call him disobedient? (Incorrigible liar.)

[Anglika]

Originally Posted by Lenka

I wonder whether the word "unteachable" is used is the same meaning as incorrigible in English.
For example, if I tell a child not to touch e.g. an iron and he always touches it (although he's burnt his fingers several times) and never learns from this, shall I call him incorrigible or unteacheble? Is there a difference between the adectives?

I would regard him as both incorrigible (unable to take correction) and unteachable (unable to learn).

[Lenka]

Thank you for your answers

Originally Posted by Harry Smith

Why don't you call him disobedient? (Incorrigible liar.)

Actually, I don't know such a boy. I've thought it out because I wanted to know whether I myself am (in some cases) incorrigible or unteachable. I don't think I am disobedient, anyway.

Originally Posted by Anglika

I would regard him as both incorrigible (unable to take correction) and unteachable (unable to learn).

Hmm... I don't see too much difference between the two words. Can they both be used almost interchangebly, in every case?

[mykwyner]

Unteachable should only apply to someone who is so profoundly mentally handicapped that he can only be trained to perform simple tasks. My own experiences as a teacher in a prison, however, seem to belie that assumption.

Incorrigible means that the person can't be changed or influenced. This is not necessarily a negative trait although it is usually used that way. A person can be either an incorrigible liar or an incorrigible optimist.

When a teacher says that a student is incorrigible he means that the student's behavior is unacceptable and can't be controlled.
When a teacher says that a student is unteachable he means that the student is unwilling to put any effort into his own education.

[Lenka]

Originally Posted by mykwyner

Unteachable should only apply to someone who is so profoundly mentally handicapped that he can only be trained to perform simple tasks. My own experiences as a teacher in a prison, however, seem to belie that assumption.

Incorrigible means that the person can't be changed or influenced. This is not necessarily a negative trait although it is usually used that way. A person can be either an incorrigible liar or an incorrigible optimist.

When a teacher says that a student is incorrigible he means that the student's behavior is unacceptable and can't be controlled.
When a teacher says that a student is unteachable he means that the student is unwilling to put any effort into his own education.

Thank you for the great explanation. I didn't know the adjective "incorrigible" can also be used in a "positive" meaning (incorrigible optimist)!
OK, according to your explanation, "incorrigible" is probably the word I was looking for...