Agree, but I do think not doing both is wrong (at least state a word is impossible to translate and why), cause having a meaning about something does not necessarily makes it true. Thats why I do not like anyone saying it is like this or that. I prefer reproof, or at least reflections that leads towards a reproof. Thats why I think it should be a clear difference between translation, faith, and whats actual true (not talking about what oneself might think is true intellectually, which is faith).translation requires context so a perfect translation of a word may be completely wrong in a particular context.
the task of a translator is to extract what is meant, not a litteral word for word meaning which is not always possible!
You must excuse me if I'm not clear. For this particular phrase I could have written 'faith we put in the Buddhas words', but I'm not sure it really is his, or just a good intention aiming towards high moral and ethics, and the sound of high moral and ethics shines through most of what I have read so far, including your great links of readings Cittasanto.Well, your phrase "faith we might put in the words" is less than clear, so let's back up to that for a moment; what did you mean?