In chapter two of our book, our authors Lee and Stuart dig into the task of sharing with us pros and cons of several translations. Let me make one of the final conclusions first: The Today's New International Version bible is as good as a translation as we will find. It just so happens that Monte Vista bought these for our pew bibles. I will bring some to the next gathering.
Translation is a Science: you go, Whitney! And the two areas of scientific study in tranlating is the 1. text and 2. language.
Pages 35-40 tell us that
1 textual criticism works with careful controls:
a. external evidence: character and quality of the manuscript, and
b. internal evidence: the kinds of mistakes that copyists were susceptible
2. textual criticism is not an exact science because of the number of human variables
a. often, a simple pen stroke can change a word or meaning, slightly or considerably
b. the learning tradition of the scribe may influence some intrepretations.
-Fee and Stuart assert on page 40 that for reasons listed, almost any mordern translation
is better than the King James or New King James for accurate handling of the text
Take time to read these pages and use a hightlighter! We will discuss your thoughts so have some and right them down.
The bottom of page 40 draws our attention to the study of language and translations:
Some terms given:
Original Language:
Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek
Receptor Language:
English (East Tennessee does not yet have a translation - doggonit)
Historical Distance:
Differences between original and receptor languages in terms of words, grammar, idioms, culture and history.
Formal Equivalence:
The attempt to give a direct or literal, word for word translation
Functional Equivalence:
The attempt to keep the meaning of the orginal language intact but put words and idioms into contemporary English ways of speaking/thinking.
Free Translation:
The attempt to translate the ideas from language from one to the other, such as a paraphrase.
Theory of Translation:
Refers to whether one puts emphasis on formal or functional equivalency-the degree to which one is willing to go in order to bridge the gap between original and receptor language.
Read each of these terms and following examples to get a full undertanding.
Page 44-51 give us problem areas that theologians still grapple with in translation:
1. Weights and measures
2 Euphemisms
3. Vocabulary
4. Word Plays
5. Grammar and Syntax
6. Matters of Gender
Page 52-53 give Lee's and Stuart's suggestions on choosing a translation.
Our first two chapters have given some bedrock Bible study principles and tools. Try and be familiar with what you've read. If you have questions, post them or email to all. If you want to discuss, post that, email that and be ready to discuss when we gather.
I have begun work with chapter 3 already. As we work through the study of Contextual Thinking of the Epistles, we will be working primarily with I Corinthians, chapters 1-4. If you have a commentary on that book, use it for your study. I will be bringing some commentaries to our meeting and I'll be referencing them in the next post.
Happy Reading!
1 comment:
can you add us all as authors as well so we can post things as need such as meeting details and such. Also, let everybody know that if they subscribe to the blog then they will get an automatic e-mail update with you having to manually do it or for them to check back everyday to see if there is something new.
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