The Bible Translator: Volume 23, Issue 2

Poses the practical translator’s problem of the need to be concerned about style. Based on observations in Ibadan and India discusses three stylistic features: (1) Words with feeling value may be profitably used. (2) Handle descriptions of unfamiliar things by comparison with well known ones. (3) Different readers provoke a different kind of description. View Less

Considers the distinction between explicit information and implicit information. Poses the question whether a translator is justified in adding implicit material to the text, and suggests two criteria for including such material: (1) the reader will actually use it; (2) the material was implicit in the language of the text itself. There are several guides for deciding what material to make explicit, which are listed. View Less

With limited resources and increasing costs of translation work there need to be objective criteria to aid disbursement of funds. One criterion concerns translation the size of the group which will benefit from the translation, the importance of common language translations, projects which can be completed in a reasonable amount of time, and commitment to present projects. A second criterion concerns production, the lowest cost combined with satisfactory quality, emphasizing selections and special publications. A third criterion of distribution and supply includes cooperation with organizations which distribute Scriptures to isolated peoples and peer distribution. View Less

Gives definition and content to specific words that are often used to describe translations: “common,” “popular,” and “traditional.” Illustrates the usage from contemporary translations. View Less

Defines the four principal branches of the science of language: (1) historical linguistics; (2) comparative linguistics; (3) descriptive linguistics; (4) applied linguistics. Then discusses the important concept of structure, that sounds, words and sentences represent systematic and recurring patterns of arrangement, and that the parts go together in binary structures. Linguists have discovered six universal principles to help translators: (1) the logical relations; (2) ways of speaking of time, space and mode; (3) spatial relations; (4) modal distinctions which mark statements and questions, requests and commands, actuality and potentiality; (5) semantic distinction between objects, events, abstracts and relations; and (6) kinds of discourse. View Less

Facing the problem that inability to face criticism results in failure in cooperation at tasks, the question is posed of written versus oral criticism. The value of written criticism is advocated at certain stages in the translation because of: (1) time economy; (2) precision; (3) more impersonal; (5) exposes one to the complete critical argument; (5) thus, allowing a more reasoned response. Various other questions facing translations committees are faced, including the function of the committee chairman, methods of reaching a group decision, and handling differences of opinions. View Less

Discusses four attempts to translate the clause in verse 4b, giving various authorities which support each choice: (1) takes clause as an affirmation, but this breaks the pattern of the three accusations; (2) a condition, “if I have spared the man who for no reason was my enemy,” which, while there is some difficulty in meaning, is the choice Bratcher favors; (3) and (4) involve textual emendation. One involves the Hebrew word halas and the other changes the suffix from yodh to waw. View Less

Maintains that Job is best translated into English poetical form. The thought of Job is varied, and a variety of metrical forms is called for, but one must be prepared for the possibility that a foreigner may not be sensitive enough to translate properly a book like Job. Examples are given of a fine translation into English blank verse. View Less