The Bible Translator: Volume 4, Issue 2

Discusses particular terms that are especially difficult in translation: (1) Holy Spirit as Comforter; (2) Savior and redemption; and (3) faith. The difficulties are illustrated by primitive languages. View Less

Suggests that phrase in Mark 11:3 “the Lord has need of it” may be better understood as a reference to Jesus as the owner rather than as Messiah. View Less

Reflects on the principles which yielded his own translation of the New Testament. These include the avoidance of “translator’s English,” use of the common vernacular, and the attempt to have the translation read as an original work in English. Gives lengthy examples from his translation. View Less

A translation committee answers twenty-one questions posed by J. L. Swellengrebel who is working on the Gospel Luke in Balinese. View Less

Outlines the principles, procedures and standards of translation committee which is producing an OT version in the language of Punjabi in its Hindi (Gurmukhi means “language of the Guru”) dialect (as opposed to its Persian form). Its target audience is the Sikhs of India. View Less

Illustrates the principle that NT words were invested with new meaning distinct from their pagan backgrounds. His examples include glory, grace, sin, Lord, Almighty, salvation, peace, life, love and savior. View Less

Describes the experience of introducing a new translation of the NT into a culture where a standard translation already exists. View Less

Describes the attempts to produce a unifying translation for the Belgian Congo that is based upon a lingua franca such as Congo-Swahili. The literary Congo-Swahili is now the unifying literary language of schools in the Congo. View Less

Summarizes the case made by Isidor Loewenthal in 1860 that translators should continue use the name “’Isa” for Jesus in Muslim contexts. While it has an assumed meaning in Muslim cultures, it is still the name they use for the person Jesus and it is incumbent upon Christian missionaries to enrich it with a new content and meaning for them. View Less

It is difficult to know whether the first personal plural is exclusive or inclusive. English conceals this problem, but many languages force a decision on the part of the translator. Often the Greek text is itself ambiguous. View Less

Discusses the beginnings and process of translating into the language of a primitive culture -- the Suki of Papua. Describes several interesting features of the language such as the use of “heart” to describe emotional experiences and the unique problem of translating “Holy Spirit." View Less