Is there no translation for (logical) "argument" ?

**Maciamo** · Dec 18, 2004, 20:13

Originally Posted by PaulTB

But if you look at the definitions of argument you will see (among others).

A course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating truth or falsehood: presented a careful argument for extraterrestrial life.

A fact or statement put forth as proof or evidence; a reason: The current low mortgage rates are an argument for buying a house now.

You are only considering 'argument' as the second of those while the first can have several 'grounds for the argument'. It is clear from context and example sentences that the Japanese 論拠 is based on the first definition of argument and each 論拠 is what you would call an argument.

Isn't it what I mentioned at the beginning of this thread ? "Argument" as many meanings, but there is one of them for which I cannot fin a translation.

Basically I want to know the original meaning of "argument" as it is in other Latin languages (the word "argument" does not have the meaning of "dispute" in Latin languages). In your two definitions above, the first one would be expressed as "argumentation" and not "argument" in Latin languages.

**CorDarei** · Dec 19, 2004, 02:05

Originally Posted by Maciamo

Isn't it what I mentioned at the beginning of this thread ? "Argument" as many meanings, but there is one of them for which I cannot fin a translation.

Basically I want to know the original meaning of "argument" as it is in other Latin languages (the word "argument" does not have the meaning of "dispute" in Latin languages). In your two definitions above, the first one would be expressed as "argumentation" and not "argument" in Latin languages.

How about 論拠の根拠 as a "basis or grounds for the argument"? I got 5 Google hits, that's good enough for me

[edit] Just realized that Elizabeth got there first... oh well