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Obligatory possession and Bible translation

December 19, 2008 – 7:01 pm

Each translation has its particular approach, and should have an audience in mind. The translators have to ask, “Who is going to read this translation, and how can we render the source text in a way that is suitable for them?” We are blessed in English to have a number of different translations of the [...]

Posted in Bible Translation, semantics, source text, translation audience, translation equivalence, translation philosophy | Comments (5)

What is a translation, and how might it be bad?

November 19, 2008 – 5:33 pm

A translation is a text with qualities of equivalence to a prior text in another language, such that the new text is taken as a substitute for the original. You may not realize it, but “equivalence” is a problematic concept in translation theory. I include it anyway in my definition of translation, because without some notion — [...]

Posted in Bible Translation, translation equivalence | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (13)

Let Go and Let God

November 14, 2008 – 4:37 pm

Humans are inescapably subjective. That is part of the human condition, and that is part of the difference between us and God. Yet we act, and we aim to do God’s will, and we even translate. Translation is something done by flawed human beings, yet the product of their work can be used and purposed [...]

Posted in Bible Translation | Comments (3)

Have you read the Bible?

November 13, 2008 – 2:38 pm

Most people would say, “Of course I’ve read the Bible.” Some might add something like, “I read it in a different version every year.” But this brings to mind the seminary professor who pointed to a copy of the Bible in English and said to his students, “This isn’t the Bible. It is a translation [...]

Posted in Bible Translation, Bible versions, translation equivalence | Tagged , , , , | Comments (18)
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