Contemporary Approaches to Bible Translation Origins, Characteristics and Issues (original) (raw)
Related papers
Acta Theologica, 2004
An overview of recent developments of the discipline which deals with the activity of translation, as well as the implications for Bible translation, is presented. Starting off with a discussion of the disciplinary nature of translation studies, an overview of some developments emphasising the source text, the process of translation, the reception of the translated text, and the cultural-social bound character of translation, is offered. Since the early eighties there has been a tendency within translation studies to move away from the normative and prescriptive approaches to translation and to adopt a descriptive approach towards the study of translated literature. Descriptive translation theorists attempt to account not only for textual strategies in the translated text, but also for the way in which the translation functions in the target cultural system. The implications that these recent theoretical developments have for Bible translation practice and criticism of Bible translations are arrived at in the last instance.
HISTORY AND THEORY OF SCRIPTURE TRANSLATIONS
In the missionary expansion of Christianity, Scripture translations have served as the main catalyst even if they have sometimes been taken for granted. From a historical perspective, it can rightly be argued that Christianity owes its very being to translations. This paper addresses this issue through a threefold working hypothesis: Is there anything going on in translation theory? Are recent translation theories significantly different form that of E.A. Nida? Can Bible translation in Africa contribute anything to translation study? These questions will be dealt with in the second part of this paper. However, the first part of the paper is devoted to the historical background of Bible translation practices. After presenting a working definition of Scripture translation, this part will explore the origin, development and interpretative role of Scripture translations.
The Power of Bible Translation
Priscilla Papers, 2019
Author: Aloo Osotsi Mojola Publisher: CBE International The Bible generates a range of complex and often ambiguous attitudes. For some the Bible is perceived as an oppressive tool that has historically been used to alienate and dehumanize. It has been viewed as an instrument of empire, of colonial and cultural domination, of conquest and subjugation. At various times and places, the Bible has been used as a basis for the discrimination and oppression of women and minorities. The Bible is not neutral. Its entry into a culture sends mixed messages. Where some see loss, others see gain. Where some see dispossession, others see empowerment. Where some see conquest, others see freedom. Where some see cultural dispossession and alienation, others see a call and challenge to reclaim the divine image—and thus equality and dignity—in all humans. For many in the church, the Bible is viewed as a transformative and indispensable tool. It is the church’s guiding document, central to the formulation of her creeds, to the formation of her faith and practice, to the fostering and nurturing of just and loving communities. Bible translators strive to provide access to this ancient text. Indeed, without translation the biblical writings and their rich treasures would be forever inaccessible. The vast majority of people read or hear a translated Bible, a domesticated Bible that by means of translators’ mediation has crossed boundaries of time and space, of language and culture.
The Bible Translation Imbroglio
Second Language Learning and Teaching
The present paper is concerned with a comparison of selected versions of the texts constituting what is commonly called the Bible as an object of philological studies including comparisons of numerous original and translated versions respectively, as a historical source by means of the usual methods of verification and as a sacred text revealed by God Himself to help people gain salvation. This approach treats the Bible as the "Word of God", that is the way in which God speaks to people. The focus is laid on the first approach with a special stress on divergences among numerous selected translated versions of the Bible including Greek, Latin, English, Polish, and occasionally other languages. Thus, whatever is said here will concern what can be attested in the course of examining and comparing the relevant texts, i.e. what can be found in these texts rather than what these texts may refer to in the world at large, i.e. what occurs outside these texts.
Zeramim, 2019
The topic of Bible translation has come to the fore recently with Robert Alter's The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary 1 , a work that completes Alter's decades-long project of translating the entire Tanakh. I want to put this newest translation into the larger context of Bible translations, especially English Bible translations, and examine many of the issues involved in translating the Bible and the choices that translators make.
The ideology of content, (i.e. religions and values) and the ideology of process (i.e. politics and methods) coexist in translation, and these two ideologies interact with each other. There is nothing value-neutral or ideology-free in the content and process of translation. Translation is a process of inter-lingual communication, the purpose of which is to make a difference. Whether the process is destructive or constructive, manipulative or transformative, it depends on the values and points of view of the participants of the process. The process is not necessarily one-sided, and methodologies are no longer prescriptive and normative—especially in the contemporary and post-colonial context. Therefore, the translation process should include broader participation of non-experts. This can take place only if the process is within the acceptable range of the presumed initial core values, and the result will be a synergy of various core values forming new ideologies in a contributive way. There is always a risk that the new ideology can go beyond what was anticipated. Integrating both scientific method and artistic intuition are essential. Participants should adopt the appropriate inter-disciplinary methods within the continuum of two poles based on context, nature, and function in order to produce a more relevant and quality-enhanced outcome. The purpose of this presentation is to encourage a broader sphere of non-experts participating in and reinventing the process of Bible translation in order to transform others and be transformed themselves. This transformation comes from the assumption or faith that the values of the content of the Bible can bring about a positive difference.
A history of Bible translation
2007
La Bibbia e il libro piu tradotto di tutti i tempi. History of Bible Translation si propone di ricostruire la storia delle traduzioni di quest’opera dalle origini ai giorni nostri attraverso un approccio di tipo interdisciplinare, che non affronti la questione esclusivamente da un punto di vista metodologico, ma anche sotto il profilo teologico, linguistico e culturale. Obiettivo di questo studio e tracciare un percorso possibile - a partire dalle traduzioni - del documento biblico, e comprendere le implicazioni presenti e future di un lavoro di questo tipo.
Biblical Languages and Bible Translation Practice
Should the Bible be translated directly from the Hebrew and Greek texts? One may wonder why the question even needs to be addressed. However, for those who work with Bible translators across Africa, a ‘yes’ answer might come with a note of caution. This paper will look at a bit of the history of Bible translation practice in reference to Biblical languages, and seek to understand the issues involved. In conclusion, it will propose how we can overcome the challenges of translation from Biblical languages and achieve higher quality and respected translations across Africa.
When the Church Translates the Bible
2024
This paper presents “Church-Centric Bible Translation” as a theologically formative and capacity-building paradigm of Bible translation. Through multilingual and multimodal interaction with the Scriptures, shaped according to biblical patterns of church and mission, the church that speaks a given language progressively builds their biblical understanding, theological maturity, and translation experience. This iterative process aligns the church’s production of a Bible translation with their growing capacity, ensuring that the pace of the process is commensurate with their ability to reliably and confidently assess the trustworthiness of their translation of the Bible.