The NASB: Is it really that difficult to understand?

[alexander284]

The NASB: Is it really that difficult to understand?

I can certainly relate to those who might have some difficulties reading and understanding the KJV (given the archaic language).

But I often hear people saying they experience difficulties reading the NASB as well.

Personally, I really like and appreciate the NASB.

Furthermore, I don't find it difficult to read or comprehend.

What is your opinion regarding the NASB?

Is it, indeed, so "wooden," so as to be incomprehensible?

Thank you for your time!

 

[Reynolds]

The NASB: Is it really that difficult to understand?

I can certainly relate to those who might have some difficulties reading and understanding the KJV (given the archaic language).

But I often hear people saying they experience difficulties reading the NASB as well.

Personally, I really like and appreciate the NASB.

Furthermore, I don't find it difficult to read or comprehend.

What is your opinion regarding the NASB?

Is it, indeed, so "wooden," so as to be incomprehensible?

Thank you for your time!

A college professor I know says his incoming freshmen read at what would have been a 7th grade level 30 years ago. If that’s true, then NASB is probably hard for the majority of people to understand.

 

[Deacon]

A college professor I know says his incoming freshmen read at what would have been a 7th grade level 30 years ago. If that’s true, then NASB is probably hard for the majority of people to understand.

Quite a bit of truth in that.
I mentioned that a youth I read the narrative portions (and Psalms) in the Revised Standard Version for pleasure.
The RSV was a predecessor of the NASB. It too, might be considered "wooden".
I think it would still be understandable for kids of today, but there certainly are easier versions available (without sacrificing accuracy).

There is a bit of a balance between a Bible translation being literal and it being understandable:
The translators of the NASB chose to sacrifice readability for greater accuracy.

It's noticed most prominently in the earliest edition of the NASB, which swayed toward a harsh literalness.
The later editions began to balance it out a bit better.

Some of the translations I have in my bookshelves are quirky, literal to an extreme.
Everett Fox's translation of the Pentateuch and Early Prophets being one; John Goldingay's "First Testament" and Scott McKnights, "Second Testament" are two others that fall into this category. They are interesting to compare to other translations but rather difficult to read for pleasure.

Rob

 

[Van]

The NASB: Is it really that difficult to understand?

I can certainly relate to those who might have some difficulties reading and understanding the KJV (given the archaic language).

But I often hear people saying they experience difficulties reading the NASB as well.

Personally, I really like and appreciate the NASB.

Furthermore, I don't find it difficult to read or comprehend.

What is your opinion regarding the NASB?

Is it, indeed, so "wooden," so as to be incomprehensible?

Thank you for your time!

I love the NASB, but it too has flaws, where other versions do a better job with some verses.

It is very difficult to see the world through the eyes of another. People thought to be dumb, do not see the same things as people thought to be smart. And people thought to be smart do not see the world as people thought to be dumb do. We are all caged within our own understanding. I know people who went from the NASB to the NIV because they understood it better, AND many of their companions also used the NIV. Still others liked the NLT better than even the NIV as they could understand it with more assurance.

The "wooden" charge is a trope, with few if any examples.

 

[JonC]

The NASB: Is it really that difficult to understand?

I can certainly relate to those who might have some difficulties reading and understanding the KJV (given the archaic language).

But I often hear people saying they experience difficulties reading the NASB as well.

Personally, I really like and appreciate the NASB.

Furthermore, I don't find it difficult to read or comprehend.

What is your opinion regarding the NASB?

Is it, indeed, so "wooden," so as to be incomprehensible?

Thank you for your time!

It is not difficult to understand at all. It is my study Bible.

But it is awkward to read aloud becsuse of the wording. I would find myself tongue tied when preaching from it.