The Bible Translator: Volume 72, Issue 1

The Parallel Passages tool in the Bible translation software Paratext is a powerful tool. As with all powerful tools, it can have both positive and negative impacts on a project. Consultants need to be aware of some of the known “issues” that will sometimes result in false positives or false negatives in the highlighting of which parts of the vernacular verse are parallel. Correct usage of the tool will help a team improve the quality of the translation, but incorrectly used it can lead to a lack of naturalness and accuracy because the grammatical features of the vernacular will not allow perfect parallels in certain contexts. In this article, the positive and negative features of the tool will be illustrated with examples from the Apal language in Papua New Guinea. The article will conclude with a list of suggestions for consultants with respect to the Parallel Passages tool. View Less

This article reviews various works in progress relating to the Journal of Biblical Text Research (JBTR), which is published biannually by the Institute for Biblical Text Research (IBTR) of the Korean Bible Society (KBS), and proposes possible future roles and functions of JBTR in Bible translation projects. Since 1997, fifty volumes including three supplementary volumes have been published by JBTR, comprising a total of 611 articles. In reviewing these publications, this article specifically focuses on: (1) the initial roles and functions of JBTR; (2) the Korean Translation Workshops (KTW) 2003–2009 and the publications of JBTR; (3) JBTR for Korean Bible translation projects; (4) the influence of The Bible Translator (TBT) on JBTR; and (5) the future roles and functions of JBTR in Bible translation projects. The article demonstrates how journals have contributed and can continue to contribute to Bible translation projects in Bible societies in cooperation with the United Bible Societies fellowship. In addition, further possible projects that the journal can meaningfully undertake in order to broaden its ministry and contribution will be discussed. View Less

The note as a paratextual element has played an important role in Bible translation. This article collects the translational notes from the New Testament in the Chinese Protestant Union Version Bible (CUV) and the Chinese Catholic Sigao Bible (SBV) to uncover the ideological leanings of translators as well as the types and functions of translational notes in these versions. With a quantitative and qualitative analysis of eight selected notes, the article shows that: (1) CUV followed the “without note or comment” principle for unbiased comments and thus employed more linguistic notes, but SBV followed the Catholic tradition in writing exegetical comments; (2) the notes help readers understand the reasons for textual variations and the problem of selectivity in translating; and (3) CUV translators took account of the Chinese literati’s taste, whereas SBV aimed to reach the common people. Further research is needed for a more in-depth interpretation. View Less

The rendering of the divine name יהוה‎ is one of the most debated issues in Bible translation. This is also the case in translation of the Bible into the Dholuo language of Kenya and Tanzania. Different solutions have been proffered in different Dholuo versions, but without a clear rationale. This raises important questions. To what extent do versions used as sources influence translation choice? Should traditional religion and culture provide guidance in the search for a solution? This study analyses renderings of יהוה‎ in existing Dholuo versions against the background of the history of church and mission in the Dholuo context. View Less

The pleonastic hypernegation οὐ μὴ is widely recognized as conveying an emphatic “no.” However, all major English translations fail to render it consistently with such emphasis. This article explores the nature of this disparity by locating οὐ μὴ linguistically, semantically, and lexically within New Testament literature and contemporary research. It concludes that, despite theoretical exceptions and the erroneous trend of translations, οὐ μὴ should, in the New Testament, always be rendered with some explicit emphasis. View Less

This article focuses on the final six words in the Greek text of Mark 8.12: εἰ δοθήσεται τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ σημεῖον. This partial conditional statement is typically translated as an emphatic negative oath based on the belief that a Hebraism is in use. For example, NRSV translates this part of the verse as, “no sign will be given to this generation,” instead of formally as a straightforward conditional. The thesis of this article is that Mark 8.12 should not be translated as an emphatic negative oath because no Hebraism is in use; instead, Jesus’ words should be translated according to the figure of speech known as aposiopesis: “if a sign will be given to this generation . . .” View Less

This study proposes understanding Rom 1.17 as: “For God’s righteousness is revealed in every believer from faith to faithfulness, as it was written, ‘The righteous will live by faith,’” based on various exegetical considerations in both its syntagmatic and literary context and its role in the overall shape of Romans. It highlights Paul’s holistic and dynamic picture of Christian life in which justification by faith produces its fruits in a believer’s everyday life. View Less

The prepositional phrase ἐν ᾧ occurs repeatedly in 1 Peter, and scholars debate its function in each occurrence. To determine the most likely functions of the phrase, this article analyzes each instance in the book. Based on the context of each occurrence, ἐν ᾧ is likely causal in 1 Pet 1.6 and 3.16, where it should be translated as “because of this” or “because of which.” In 1 Pet 2.12, ἐν ᾧ is both causal and concessive. In 1 Pet 3.19, however, it is likely a dative of reference, so should be translated as “in which.” Finally, in 1 Pet 4.4, ἐν ᾧ again functions causally. View Less