Transcript or translation
HERMENEUTICS TRANSLATIONS
Grasping God’s Word, (2 nd
ed.) by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays, Chapter 9
How to Read the Bible for All its Worth (3 rd ed.)
by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart, Chapter 2 Additional resource: Bible Gateway http://bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible/
Why not use only one translation?
• • • Signals your implicit agreement with that translation’s exegesis • Its mistakes will be your misunderstandings Narrows your hermeneutical options • Only the originals are believed to be inerrant Deprives you of the expertise of other translators • Proverbs 11:14 • Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
Terms used by translators
• • • • Original language Receptor language Historical distance Textual criticism
• • •
Translation theories
Literal (favoring formal equivalence) Free (seeks to eliminate historical distance) Dynamic Equivalent (favoring functional equivalence) L I T E R A L
DYNAMIC EQUIVALENCE
F R E E
Bible Translations
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Introduction
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The Bible version (or translation) is different from the marketing format used by the publishers.
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Translation - transferring a message in one language into another language.
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Translation is unavoidable unless everyone wants to learn Hebrew and Greek. It allows us to hear what God has said.
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How did we get our English Bible?
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God worked through the various human authors, including their background, personality, cultural context, writing style, faith commitments, research, and so on, to that what they wrote was the inspired Word of God.
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Approaches to translating God’s Word
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Not as simple as defining each word and stringing together the definitions. Don’t assume that literal automatically equals accurate.
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Languages differ:
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No two words have exactly the same meaning.
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The vocabulary of any two languages varies in size.
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Languages put words together differently.
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Languages have different stylistic preferences.
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Translation involves reproducing the meaning of a text in a source language as fully as possible in the receptor language.
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Three main approaches to translation:
• • •
Formal
– tries to follow the wording and structure (“forms”) of the original language Functional (a.k.a. Dynamic Equivalent) – tries to express meaning of original text in today’s language
Free
– seeks to translate the ideas, with less concern about using the exact words of the original language
No translation is entirely formal or functional.
Formal Functional Free KJV NASB RSV NRSV NAB NIV NJB NCV GNB The Message ASV NKJV HCSB NET TNIV REB NLT CEV ESV
– A paraphrase is not a translation from the original languages, but a restatement or explanation of an English translation.
– Use paraphrases like you would use commentaries.
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Choosing a translation
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Uses modern English (whole point of translation)
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Based on the standard Hebrew and Greek critical texts
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Made by a committee rather than an individual
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Appropriate for your specific purpose at the time
Problems Translators Face
• • Terms for Money Will always be subject to change due to shifting currency values Luke 19:16 • •
mina
= a British pound (KJV) = $2.01
• Translated an equivalent value at the time
mina =
mina (NIV) = about three months wages • Transliterated the word and added a note
Problems Translators Face
• • • Euphemisms and idioms are used in most cultures for matters of sex or toilet 1.
Translate literally?
2.
3.
Translate formal equivalent?
Use a functionally equivalent euphemism?
Gen.31:35, 18:11 1 Sam. 25:22, 1 Kings 14:10, 21:21 2 Sam. 13:14, Gen. 4:1
Problems Translators Face
• • • Vocabulary variations
The Amplified Bible
translators’ solution: provide a range of possible meanings for readers to choose from John 17:1 “Glorify and exalt and honor and magnify Your Son, …” • • 1 Cor. 7:14, Gal. 1:7, 1 John 3:8 & 24 Can God make Himself known to us?
Is this how human persons talk?
Problems Translators Face
Wordplays Grammar and Syntax Matters of Gender
Choosing a Translation
•
Choose one main translation as your personal companion
• • • •
NIV is the most reliable Uses modern English (the whole point of translation) Based on the standard Hebrew and Greek critical texts Made by a committee rather than an individual
• •
How many translations should you use?
Give it some friends to help it • • • A Formal Equivalent translation •
NASB
is the best here A Free Translation •
The Message
or
New Living Translation
are both very interesting Keep a copy of
KJV
in your library, for its historical and lyrical value Primary Goal of Your Primary Translation Choice: •
Faithfulness to the text
, and not • Ease of reading
A Common (or Pulpit) Bible
• • Problems when no single translation is favored by the pulpit and C.E. ministries • • • Memorization Delayed recognition, delayed response, delayed application Reduced authoritativeness Benefits • • Wakes people up Encourages critical reading
A Common (or Pulpit) Bible
• Can you gain the benefits that using a multiplicity of translations may bring, without encouraging multiple choice, flavor-of-the day, version-du-jour translation shuffling?