ならいざしらず (nara-iza-shirazu): It might be different for ... but
～ならいざしらず (nara-iza-shirazu)
Meaning
It might be different for ... but
Formation and usage
N／plain clause + ならいざ知らず
Notation: N = noun; V dictionary = dictionary-form verb; V stem = the stem before ます; plain clause = plain-form clause; negative stem = the form before ない. Follow the attachment shown above.
Explanation
Allows that A might be understandable while rejecting or questioning B.
Examples
初心者ならいざ知らず、教師がこれを知らないのは困る。
It might be understandable for a beginner, but it is a problem if a teacher does not know this.
初心者ならいざ知らず、医師がこれを知らないのは困る。
It might be understandable for a beginner, but it is a problem if a doctor does not know this.
初心者ならいざ知らず、指導者がこれを知らないのは困る。
It might be understandable for a beginner, but it is a problem if a leader does not know this.
初心者ならいざ知らず、経営者がこれを知らないのは困る。
It might be understandable for a beginner, but it is a problem if a manager does not know this.
初心者ならいざ知らず、政治家がこれを知らないのは困る。
It might be understandable for a beginner, but it is a problem if a politician does not know this.
How related patterns differ
にかけては evaluates ability in a field; にかかっては puts matters in someone's hands. ならいざ知らず and ならまだしも contrast an understandable case with a problematic one. に限ったことではない extends the scope, while というところだ estimates a limit.