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Qualifications for Bible Translators?

Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by John of Japan, Mar 23, 2006.

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  1. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    There you go lets take up an offering and send the brother where he wants to go!! All that is required shuld be what the Bible says. To "Do Justly' "Walk Humbly" "Love mercy" And Matt 6:33 should be a Good Start too. </font>[/QUOTE]Whoa, Nelly! Every time someone goes to the mission field without a call, disaster ensues. This includes going to a tribal work to translate the Scriptures for them. So that is my minimum qualification: salvation and a call from God. [​IMG]
     
    #41 John of Japan, Apr 25, 2006
  2. DesiderioDomini

    DesiderioDomini New Member

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    JoJ,

    It seems I am assuming things you arent. I am assuming that these Christians are under God's leadership, and therefore would be going under his calling.

    I forget that this often isnt the case. Therefore, I echo your sentiments.
     
    #42 DesiderioDomini, Apr 26, 2006
  3. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    I understand where you are coming from, DD. Unfortunately I am speaking from experience here. I've had to deal with "missionaries" who came out here with no call, but just, "I'm here under the Great Commission!" In one case the missionary had a breakdown. I've also had to pack up the household goods of one who deserted the field (whether he was called or not).

    The task of going to a tribe and translating the Bible in their language and doing pioneer work among them is so strenuous and difficult that I can't imagine doing it without God's specific call! But no doubt some have tried. :eek:
     
    #43 John of Japan, Apr 26, 2006
  4. Bluefalcon

    Bluefalcon Member

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    Hey Bro. John. Sometimes a phrase in the Greek NT may seem ambiguous to us, or have two possibilities, but in translation we cannot show both possibilities. We have to choose one or the other. For example, 1 Jn. 2:5, "...in this one the love of God is perfected." Does this mean one's love of God, or does it mean God's love. The Chinese translation I'm looking at has very decidedly "one's love of God," or "the heart that loves God." I happen to agree. But others may have a different interpretation and have to decide to go that way instead of the other. Any suggestions about when this occurs?
     
    #44 Bluefalcon, Apr 26, 2006
  5. DesiderioDomini

    DesiderioDomini New Member

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    I think that by far the biggest travesty in interpreting the Great Commission is the misunderstanding that it needs be overseas.

    How many unsaved people do we know already?
     
    #45 DesiderioDomini, Apr 26, 2006
  6. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    In my method of translation, if at all possible the ambiguity of the original must be preserved. The doctrine (and Baptist distinctive) of the priesthood of the believer means that every believer has both the right and responsibility to interpret Scripture on his own. Because of this, it is wrong for the translator to interpret if he can get around it.

    I took a look at this verse in the Chinese Union Version, which is what I assume you are reading, and I see you are right, of course. Your Chinese is probably much better than mine, so I'm not sure how, but there must be some way in Chinese to preserve the ambiguity of the original and allow the reader to interpret for himself or herself.

    I just looked at the verse in two Japanese versions, and I believe the ambiguity is preserved there much like in most English versions, simply, "the love of God." It could have been made more specific in Japanese, but the translators rightly chose not to.

    Having said that, I agree that there are times when it is impossible to preserve the ambiguity of the original because of the restraints of the grammar or vocabulary of the receptor language. In that case, there is no way around it: the translator must interpret! He should not interpret on the fly, though, but spend due time looking at his lexicons and dictionaries and commentaries before making a final decision.

    In my committee we have sometimes spent as much as a whole hour discussing my raw translation of a single verse before making the final decision based on both our English and Japanese resources. We have a deep desire to get it right! [​IMG]
     
    #46 John of Japan, Apr 26, 2006
  7. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    I agree with you here as far as it goes, DD. However, I believe that in our efforts to fulfill the Great Commission we must think globally, not locally, whether that locality be our own area or some area overseas.

    What I mean by this (and I'm sure you will agree) is that each believer should be both witnessing at home and supporting the world missions effort as best as he or she can.

    In the area of Bible translation in particular, this to me means that the overwhelming variety of translations in English is trumped by the overwhelming need for translations in other languages, so that the believer in his effort to fulfill the Great Commission will, in this area at least, find some way (at least by prayer) to fill that need.
     
    #47 John of Japan, Apr 26, 2006
  8. william s. correa

    william s. correa New Member

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    There you go lets take up an offering and send the brother where he wants to go!! All that is required shuld be what the Bible says. To "Do Justly' "Walk Humbly" "Love mercy" And Matt 6:33 should be a Good Start too. </font>[/QUOTE]Whoa, Nelly! Every time someone goes to the mission field without a call, disaster ensues. This includes going to a tribal work to translate the Scriptures for them. So that is my minimum qualification: salvation and a call from God. [​IMG] </font>[/QUOTE]You asked the Question and I just gave you My opinion, I'm sure there are missionaries who are not saved still searching for that hidden meaning,of GO into All the World.When they are lost themselves;and the people next door to us who need Jesus maybe that should come first maybe thats why people are trying to build bigger mega churches I beleive in missions but it takes a special person whom God truly has called there I surley would Go but God has put a Burden in my heart for the Hispanic people here in the USA. I'm sure if you have an "Agenda" then youll do what ever you want.
     
    #48 william s. correa, Apr 26, 2006
  9. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Then we are agreed. [​IMG]
     
    #49 John of Japan, Apr 26, 2006
  10. jw

    jw New Member

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    The more the better, but take what you can get. [​IMG]

    Preferably very well versed in Hebrew and Greek, and preferably a national of the language it is being translated into (though this is often not possible), and a theologically conservative evangelical.

    For instance, a Frenchman who has studied Greek adn Hebrew could better translate than and American who learned French, simply because he would have a far more indepth and personal understanding of the language and culture than even the most seasoned missionary. Of course you come to a problem when you evangelize some African tribe that has no Bible at all...
     
    #50 jw, Apr 26, 2006
  11. william s. correa

    william s. correa New Member

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    Then we are agreed. [​IMG] </font>[/QUOTE]Sure we agree on that issue of missions, as a mandate from our Savior. But if you speak English and do not have a KJB you do not have the Sharpest tool in the tool box to Quiken the dead as Hebrews 4:12 says! You may only have a dull Boy scouts Knife,I do not want to take chances with some one's "Eternity" and if I'm going to go into Batlle I want that two edged sword. No offense to other languages and I'm sure God Word is not bound by any language. Thanx and God Bless! Steadfast and unmovable.
     
    #51 william s. correa, Apr 26, 2006
  12. DesiderioDomini

    DesiderioDomini New Member

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    Why? Says who? Can you support this claim, or are you merely making drive by lies?

    You seem to be alergic to honesty, so I dont know why I am even asking, but once again, what makes the KJV the version God was speaking of when these words were penned in Greek and Hebrew? Because all this time God was waiting on YOU to come by and deliver the prophecy? Do you have anything else?

    Then why is it bound by the KJV in english?

    Question (which I am sure you wont answer) Why was Joseph Smith's claims wrong? Why do you reject them? Why AREN'T you a mormon? Give me 3 reasons.
     
    #52 DesiderioDomini, Apr 27, 2006
  13. Bible-boy

    Bible-boy Active Member

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    The ability to read would be a good place to start. :D
     
    #53 Bible-boy, Apr 27, 2006
  14. DesiderioDomini

    DesiderioDomini New Member

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    Nah, they'll pick that up along the way......
     
    #54 DesiderioDomini, Apr 27, 2006
  15. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    The ability to read would be a good place to start. :D </font>[/QUOTE]Yup, the ability to read very fluently at least two languages: the source language and the receptor language. [​IMG]
     
    #55 John of Japan, Apr 27, 2006
  16. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    As a general rule, this is true. However, it is not hard and fast. In some cases a "native speaker" of the language does not understand his or her language near as well as a gifted and fluent foreigner who has had to slog through the grammar.

    I currently have the best aide in the Japanese language I've ever had, a retired high school English teacher we call "Uncle Miya." However, I've known Japanese I would avoid at all costs asking help in the language! :eek:
     
    #56 John of Japan, Apr 27, 2006
  17. william s. correa

    william s. correa New Member

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    Why? Says who? Can you support this claim, or are you merely making drive by lies?

    You seem to be alergic to honesty, so I dont know why I am even asking, but once again, what makes the KJV the version God was speaking of when these words were penned in Greek and Hebrew? Because all this time God was waiting on YOU to come by and deliver the prophecy? Do you have anything else?

    Then why is it bound by the KJV in english?

    Question (which I am sure you wont answer) Why was Joseph Smith's claims wrong? Why do you reject them? Why AREN'T you a mormon? Give me 3 reasons.     </font>[/QUOTE]Well I'm sure I struck a Big fat nerve somewhere, maybe a molar, gnashing of teeth may cause that. Your a joke and cannot stand the truth even if its chisseled into your gargatuant cranium. there are three that bare witness Father,Son, Holy Ghost, and these three are "ONE". ONE GOD&lt; ONE FAITH&lt;ONE BAPTISM&lt;ONE BOOK!
     
    #57 william s. correa, Apr 27, 2006
  18. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Gentlemen, please do not hijack my thread. It is about qualifications for Bible translators, not the KJVO issue. :(
     
    #58 John of Japan, Apr 27, 2006
  19. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    Unfortunately, i cannot quote
    William S. Correa and get my quote of
    him to post. It is a problem with the
    angle bracket.

    He said something like
    'one god, one faith, one baptism, one book'.

    Eph 4:4-6 (KJV1611 Edition):
    There is one body, and one spirit, euen
    as yee are called in one hope of your calling.
    5 One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism,
    6 One God and Father of all, who is aboue
    all, & through all, & in you all.

    Unless the one book is the one body;
    or the one book is the one spirit,
    or the one book is 'one hope of your calling',
    or the one book is the one Lord,
    or the one book is the one Father;
    then you have ADDED to the SCRIPTURE :(

    You then are NOT qualified to translate anything.
     
    #59 Ed Edwards, Apr 27, 2006
  20. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    A couple of guys at the beginning of this thread said something to the effect that it is not necessary for the Bible translator to be saved. I've been pondering that ever since, and have come to the conclusion that in a sense that is true. They made some good points. However, I don't think the best translations will be made by lost people for the following reasons.

    (1) Every translator, saved or lost, brings presuppositions to their work. If the translator is an atheist, that will affect the translation. If the translator is a cultist (and I realize those guys earlier probably didn't mean cultists were okay as translators) it will become worse. Example: the Japanese JW version translates pisteuw as "make your faith work." :eek: :eek:

    (2) The view that an unsaved translator can do a good job of translating the Bible ignores the doctrine of illumination. It is the Holy Spirit who helps the translator understand the text. In the cases (discussed above with Blue Falcon) where the translator must interpret and there is no other way, the Holy Spirit is there to help the believing translator get it right. [​IMG]
     
    #60 John of Japan, Apr 28, 2006
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