The Bible Translator: Volume 34, Issue 3

Adequacy (appropriateness) is a relation between means and purposes of a translation. Equivalence is a relation between source and receptor texts. As equivalence functions on several levels of a text, a translator must establish which elements of the source text are functionally relevant in any given context. View Less

Matt 16:18 contains a play on words, “You are a rock, Peter...” In Italian the two words, though linguistically related, convey different meanings. Initial translation used the related words and made meaning explicit. Revision added an introductory phrase to relate it to v. 17; a note explains the exegetical problems. View Less

Mark 4:12 (and Isa 6:9, 10 from which it is taken) is an example of irony. While God in truth wishes men to turn and be forgiven, He scorns their willful ignorance. Translators may make the meaning explicit, abandoning the figure of speech in a language where irony is not used. View Less

Paragraphs in Greek narrative text can be highlighting, circumstantial, or subordinate. Highlighting and subordinate paragraphs have distinctive obligatory initial markings. Highlighted sentences mark the backbone of an episode. Translators need to recognize highlighting techniques in the receptor language so as to preserve the relative importance of events in the source language. Examples: Mark 5:1–10, 24–34 in Dugun and Duupa (Cameroon). View Less

The MT reads: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever takes life is wise.” The second line is problematic. Solutions are considered, including textual emendation. Opts for the translation “whoever increases the number of friends is wise." View Less