Bible Translation Studies Definitions

The difficultly is that many of people that are interested in these terms usually study the topic in books...

...but some people that are stilllearning the terms don't seem to read, participate or understand these type of threads.

Rob

 

One of the definitions of the English word render is "translate." In terms of the subject Bible translations, the word render is used with that definition "translate." Thus, it means that you take a word or phrase in one language and then render or translate it into a word or phrase in another language that has as close a meaning as possible to its meaning in the original language.

 

With that definition, even the NASBU would be classified as a paraphrase.

 

From Webster's Collegiate Dictionary 5th edition 1945 (noun)"A restatement of a text,passage,or work,giving the meaning in another form...

A paraphrase is a free and commonly amplified rendering of the sense of a passage,whether in the same or in a different language."

(verb)"To express,interpret,or translate with latitude."

 

But part of Webster's meaning which I had quoted said the very same thing.

 

Paraphrase: In layman's terms to translate the perceived idea rather than individual words.

 

Here's one I have a problem with:

DEFINITION: literal
■ adjective
1. taking words in their usual or most basic sense; not figurative.
2. (of a translation) representing the exact words of the original text.
Concise Oxford English Dictionary, 11th ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004).

My church’s statement of belief reads: “The Bible is to be interpreted in a normal literal way…”

Sounds good doesn’t it?
But the term “literal” is so slippery and hard to grasp, particularly in the context of translation and interpretation that rather than solve problems, it causes them!
and its modern use muddies the meaning even more.

For example: “I literally die every time I hear that joke!”

If “literal” means simply means “usual”, “simple” or “basic” we lose so many colorful forms of speech and probably the author’s original intent with it.

Rob

 

word-for-word: a translation method that seeks to find the closest possible equivalent in the target language for every single word in the original document.
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I think John is correct here. We need to find the exact eqivalent of "meaning", "thought", "intention" of the language being interpreted.

Not just the words being used. Remember, the NT was in Koine Greek and not classical Greek. It was also the common language of the common people.

I could speak in English that you couldn't understand. I need to understand what Americans may think with the same words I may use before I employ them.

Cheers,

Jim