The Bible Translator: Volume 31, Issue 4

Translator’s Guides, a new category of Helps for Translators, provide parallel texts of the RSV and GNB plus a running commentary, suggestions for recognizing potential translation problems, and possible restructurings. A sample analysis of Psalm 1 is provided. View Less

Interest-motivation, visibility (legibility) and language all affect readability of a text. Language is further divided into vocabulary, syntactical, discursive and stylistic considerations. View Less

The cassette communicates only to the ears, it does not allow for audience response, and the reader’s voice introduces emphases not in the written text. The audience may or may not be willing to listen to a Christian message; its size and cultural background may vary. Certain types of discourse in Scripture are more suitable for recording. Offers suggestions for adjustments in the text and recording techniques. View Less

Recordings of Scripture are being used among the Wolof tribe in Senegal due to a high degree of illiteracy. The story of Abraham was chosen because of the audience’s Muslim faith. Two sample scripts are provided. View Less

In narrative material, a mental picture of the story may pinpoint areas of translation difficulty where facts have been omitted or are out of order. Illustrations from the gospels are given. In each, the audience, the message and the medium (language) must be considered. View Less

Kosmos has the basic meaning of “order” or “arrangement” and is usually translated as “universe” or “world.” Negative and neutral connotations are explored. Presents examples. View Less

A translation team must be both competent and compatible. A Bible Society consultant can evaluate potential team members via interviews and sample translation problems. He can call a group of these people to work together in small groups on a sample passage. Evaluating their performance, he can make a final selection of 3 to 5 members. Time involved in selecting the team is recovered in reduction of overall translation time. View Less

While Qumran manuscripts usually support the OT Masoretic text, OT translators need access to Qumran variant readings with a rating system similar to that in the Greek NT. Examples are from the Habakkuk commentary and non-biblical scrolls. 10 Clark, David J. The Influence of the Dead Sea Scrolls on Modern Translations of Isaiah. BT, 1984, 35(1):122–130. Translators of eight major versions in English, French, and German were very cautious in accepting variant readings from the Isaiah Dead Sea scrolls. The NEB adopted more variants than other translations. The nine most accepted variant readings are detailed. Results indicate general reliability of Masoretic Text. View Less

The pronouns “us” and “we” may not be present in the original manuscripts but are often required for understanding in the target language. Since the target language pronouns may also have inclusive and exclusive forms, the translator must decide which form is appropriate within the context. When in doubt, the inclusive form is preferable. View Less

Is the “true saying” of 1 Tim. 3:1 what follows (UBS) or what precedes (Nestle-Aland’s 26th edition)? Opts for the UBS text. View Less

Instead of transliterating the term, the note argues for a translation. View Less

Did the angels speak or God? Opts for the latter. View Less

Discusses two current African translation projects. One is producing a common language version for Kiswahili (the national language of Kenya and Tanzania), and the other is also producing a common language version for Tshiluba (spoken in Zaire). View Less