Discussion: Massey and Kirk on the Indeterminacy of Translation

Abstract

Gerald Massey has constructed translation manuals for the purposes ofillustrating Quine's Indeterminacy Thesis. Robert Kirk has argued that Massey's manuals do not live up to their billing. In this note,I will present Massey's manuals and defend them against Kirk's objections. The implications for Quine's Indeterminacy Thesis will then be briefly discussed.