The Bible Translator: Volume 39, Issue 3

Intelligible translations are not always acceptable. While intelligibility leans heavily on lexical structures of the language, acceptability relies on rhetorical features. Translators need to understand sociosemiotics to communicate the full meaning of the text. View Less

For a project such as the Norwegian Bible Translation of 1978/85, it was important to have (1) a “man of vision” to initiate it, (2) to begin modestly with a linguistic revision of the existing Bible, (3) to set up well- defined principles for translation, (4) to reformulate those principles in the light of new findings and experience, (5) to organize the project with greater emphasis on teamwork initially and leaving difficult books until later, and (6) to publish sample editions of the translation for evaluation. View Less

Religious leaders during the Babylonian exile contributed by developing hope and creating a new community in a foreign land. Economic, political, social and religious infrastructures had collapsed. The priests reinterpreted the national catastrophe in relation to traditional theology. This theological trend should be reflected in translation of the Pentateuch. View Less

The word zeloute may be translated to emphasize its lexical meaning (desire, covet, etc.) or its semantic domains (psychological attitudes and emotions; moral and ethical qualities of behavior). A comprehensive inventory of signs, including historical and cultural setting, may help in final choice of a translation. View Less

A variety of passages referring to “sinners” can be categorized as (1) Jews who do not observe all rules important to the Pharisees, (2) people who do not care about God, and (3) pagan/godless Gentiles/foreigners. View Less