The Bible Translator: Volume 18, Issue 3

A new translation of Romans by both Roman Catholic and Protestant scholars has appeared in French. Three phases of the enterprise have been traced: (1) preliminary negotiations, 1963–1965; (2) an agreement between Editions du Cerf and certain Bible Societies which resulted in an experimental panel to produce Romans and another to produce Exodus and (3) actual work in 1965. The whole Bible is expected to be completed in 10 years. Preliminary work includes a vocabulary of words and expressions. View Less

The following article is taken from the introduction to Épitre aux Romains: Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, pp. 11-17 and reproduced by the kind permission of Les Editions du Cerf, Paris. View Less

The small Evangelical community of Italy had until recently three different translations of the Bible from the original texts translation by Diodati, the Riveduta (the Revised Version), and one by G. Luzzi. All are older and outdated linguistically. Therefore a new Protestant translation of the Bible is a necessary and urgent task. Some possibilities are (1) a new translation; but the time it would take and the qualified personnel make it inadvisable; (2) adopt a Catholic translation; but to find one, to obtain the copyright, and get it accepted by the Evangelical communities presents a real difficulty; (3) a revision of the Riveduta; but this may be more difficult than a new translation; or (4) collaborate with Catholics and Jews, which would provide men, means and equipment, and enable them to reach a vast public. View Less

Hebrews 1 involves problems of translating which include textual alternatives, OT quotations, and exegetical difficulties. In addition, there are translation problems arising from the transfer of the message from the source to a receptor language. Problems in translating to Lengua, an Indian language spoken in central Paraguay, involve a secondary agency, direct quotations, rhetorical questions, lack of cultural correspondences, and incommensurate logotactic patterns. These problems are illustrated in selections from Heb. 1:1–14. View Less

The new translation of the Lord’s Prayer proposed by the Anglican Church in Australia in 1966 aroused both favorable and unfavorable comment. The two main issues centered around (1) the need for a new version and (2) its adequacy. A new version must be more intelligible in worship and private prayer. The provisional new translation avoids some cumbersome and archaic expressions as “thy” and “thine,” but retains the archaic “hallowed.” “Bread of the morrow” replaces “our daily bread;” “debts and debtors” are retained, but “ordeal” replaces “temptation.” The reviewer considered it inadequate, as it lacks clarity and accuracy of English expression. View Less

A comparison of the word “all” in the KJV, NEB, and Today’s English Version. Two problems arise: (1) the word is accusative masculine plural, which would not naturally agree with the preceding masculine nouns: the sellers and the money-changers; and (2) the position is complicated by the following clause referring to the sheep and oxen. The translation may be either, “He drove all out .... the sheep and the oxen.” Each side has strong support, although the majority of translators and commentators prefer the former rendering. View Less

Discusses the use of translation consultants in translating the TEV. View Less

Emerging nations, especially Africa, Asia, and Latin America, must answer a set of language questions. The question of language choice involves that of the official language of the government, instruction, and the media of communication. The question of language engineering involves standardization and modernization. A survey of this type includes (1) basic data on major languages; (2) language attitudes; and (3) survey techniques. This article was intended as background material in connection with a proposed survey in Eastern Africa. View Less

Part 2 of a review of traditional and contemporary titles of biblical books. The newer titles fall into four categories: (1) titles taken from Scripture phrases; (2) topical titles; (3) titles related to illustrations; and (4) titles of series of books. View Less