Comments on: Measuring translation accuracy by homogeneity of results?

By: Wayne Leman

Wayne Leman — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:28:00 +0000

Thanks for this helpful post. You’re right about different bloodlines of translations. I still can’t buy the idea that we need to use non-English syntax to create a foreign feeling in a translation. I think it is the cultural elements themselves that are included in the biblical language texts that should give them most of the foreignness, including

-counting days from sunset to sunset
-greeting people with a kiss
-washing people’s feet
-different clothing
-meat offered to idols
etc.

By: ElShaddai Edwards

ElShaddai Edwards — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 04:15:29 +0000

Thanks for the insight, Peter. I’ve not used a lexicon before, but I’ve compared the HCSB and ESV, noting the similar basic language, but noting the differences in grammar between the two. To that, the HCSB seems to iron out that “foreignness” aspect and make it a more accessible translation for the average reader.

By: Nathan Stitt

Nathan Stitt — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:18:08 +0000

Wow. I finally caught up with the prior discussion a couple months back. I’d read a few of the posts but hadn’t made all the rounds until just now. I really enjoy having many English translations to refer to, and also am starting to go to the source languages. I see it as having my cake and eating it too.

By: TC

TC — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:33:45 +0000

Peter,

Great observation on the influence of lexicons! I believe you correct.

By: Peter Kirk

Peter Kirk — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:51:40 +0000

Thanks for this. It is worth noting that even supposedly independent more formal translation lines like (T)NIV, HCSB and NET in fact rely heavily on the Tyndale translation tradition in their word for word renderings, especially those of biblical key terms. This tradition is partly mediated through “lexicons” like BDAG which are often little more than lists of Tyndale tradition glosses. This explains a lot of the similarity between these translations.

By: TC

TC — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:26:03 +0000

Elshaddai,

This war on Bible translations will go on long after we are gone.

There’re so many issues in Bible translating. It’s not easy. The reader is going to be persuaded one with or the other. Even the Christian community that he’s a part of, is going to help decided the version he uses.

And at another level, some people just don’t care and don’t know what you mean by formal and functional and what is in the middle. That’s the truth.

By: Lingamish

Lingamish — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:05:57 +0000

I think your definition of biblish is a good one.