on the contrary??

[Taka]

The sentences:

Any grouping of human beings has its own world: a certain range of knowledge and certain modes of evaluation. Such a worldview is subject to constant modification as time rolls on, Nor can its association with the particular groupings prevent it from being adopted, to a greater or a lesser extent, by members of some other grouping. On the contrary, information, tastes, habits, modes of feeling and judgement can be transmitted from one sociocultural grouping to another, and individuals can in any case have loyalties to more than one grouping, so that they themselves are mobile between different worldviews accordingly.

Why "on the contrary"?? It's not contrary at all. In fact, it's almost the same thing, IMO; it seems to me that "information, tastes, habits, modes of feeling and judgement can be transmitted from one sociocultural grouping to another, and individuals can in any case have loyalties to more than one grouping..." is a paraphrase of "nor can its association with the particular groupings prevent it from being adopted...".

You have found a wonderful example of terrible writing. I suspect this to be a poor translation from another language.

[Taka]

Originally Posted by bigjohn

You have found a wonderful example of terrible writing. I suspect this to be a poor translation from another language.

So it's a translation, not written by a native speaker of English?

[twostep]

Originally Posted by Taka

The sentences:

Any grouping of human beings has its own world: a certain range of knowledge and certain modes of evaluation. Such a worldview is subject to constant modification as time rolls on, Nor can its association with the particular groupings prevent it from being adopted, to a greater or a lesser extent, by members of some other grouping. On the contrary, information, tastes, habits, modes of feeling and judgement can be transmitted from one sociocultural grouping to another, and individuals can in any case have loyalties to more than one grouping, so that they themselves are mobile between different worldviews accordingly.

Why "on the contrary"?? It's not contrary at all. In fact, it's almost the same thing, IMO; it seems to me that "information, tastes, habits, modes of feeling and judgement can be transmitted from one sociocultural grouping to another, and individuals can in any case have loyalties to more than one grouping..." is a paraphrase of "nor can its association with the particular groupings prevent it from being adopted...".

Taka, this is the way I interpret it - things cannot be prevented from being shared just the opposite they will move to other groups.
May I inquire about the source of this paragraph?

[twostep]

Originally Posted by bigjohn

You have found a wonderful example of terrible writing. I suspect this to be a poor translation from another language.

Please elaborate this statement. Thank you.

[Taka]

Sorry, twostep, I don't understand what you mean (the underlined part in particular).

Originally Posted by twostep

Taka, this is the way I interpret it - things cannot be prevented from being shared just the opposite they will move to other groups.

Originally Posted by twostep

May I inquire about the source of this paragraph?

It's from an entrance exam of a Japanese university.

[twostep]

Originally Posted by Taka

Sorry, twostep, I don't understand what you mean (the underlined part in particular).

It's from an entrance exam of a Japanese university.

"on the contrary" or "just the opposite" - it cannot be prevented that information is being shared, moves on. It is like a secret. It will be shared no matter how to try to keep it from being shared with others. Can you prevent some flowers from spreading in your garden? On the contrary - they self seed. There is nothing you can do but pull up seedlings.

[Taka]

Originally Posted by twostep

Taka, this is the way I interpret it - things cannot be prevented from being shared just the opposite they will move to other groups.

"on the contrary" or "just the opposite" - it cannot be prevented that information is being shared, moves on. It is like a secret. It will be shared no matter how to try to keep it from being shared with others. Can you prevent some flowers from spreading in your garden? On the contrary - they self seed. There is nothing you can do but pull up seedlings.

Now I see what you mean. The reason I didn't understand what you said is that you used "just the opposite" as a conjunction. Is such usage acceptable? If it is, I didn't know that.

Anyway, I think [you cannot prevent some flowers from spreading in your garden]=[they seed themselves]. In other words, both mean plants proliferate. I see no difference between them. If it were:

You cannot prevent some flowers from spreading in your garden. In fact, they seed themselves.

then I think it would make sense.

[twostep]

Originally Posted by Taka

Now I see what you mean. The reason I didn't understand what you said is that you used "just the opposite" as a conjunction. Is such usage acceptable? If it is, I didn't know that.

I disagree Your Honor :wink:
You pack lunch for your child and tell him not to share it with friend A. In contrary - he shared it with friend A and friend B. In fact - he shared but on the contrary to your instructions. I think you have to bring that in. No matter what kings and chieftains or nature intended - ideas and progress countered instructions. Call it an act of disobedience. Is that how my cookies got spread around the whole class?

Anyway, I think [you cannot prevent some flowers from spreading in your garden]=[they seed themselves]. In other words, both mean plants proliferate. I see no difference between them. If it were:

You cannot prevent some flowers from spreading in your garden. In fact, they seed themselves.

then I think it would make sense.

[Taka]

Ah! Now I got it

My Oxford Advanced Learner's only says:

on the contrary: used to introduce a statement that says the opposite of the last one.

And that was the only definition I knew, before I checked The American Heritage, which says:

on the contrary :In opposition to what has been stated or what is expected.

I've learned a lot now. :D

Thank you!