Scripture Series: The need to Interpret Part 5.

Scripture Series: The need to Interpret Part 5.

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‘READING A GOOD TRANSLATION?’

Welcome to my Fifth and final post in a series of 5 on the need to Interpret the Bible.  If you missed the last four posts, check it out in the category of Scripture- the need to interpret. You may also find the posts in the 4-part series Scripture- Bible Reading Methods useful as well.  

In choosing a good translation we need to know something of the science of translation. The translator must make textual and linguistic choices which can affect us.  The translator has a number of problems in relation to the question of text including:

1. No original copies exist (manuscripts)

2. Thousands of copies produced by hand over a period of 1400 years vary.

3. Vast majority from later medieval times are similar, but they differ from earlier era translations.

The reader should also be aware of: -

1. Textual criticism is a science that works with careful controls. The translator has to consider external and internal evidence.  In the Old Testament the quality and age of the manuscripts have to be considered as well as a choice between Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. Sometimes neither the Hebrew nor the Greek makes sense, so conjecture is made. In regard to internal evidence, copyists and authors make mistakes and translators decide which variant is correct, based on a proper analysis of scribal habits and tendencies, their style and vocabulary. The best external evidence combined with the best internal evidence provides a high degree of certainty about the original text.

2. Textual criticism is not an exact science because of too many human variables.

3. There are many versions available, but some have accumulated mistakes over 1000 yrs.

CHOOSING A GOOD TRANSLATION.

So, in choosing a translation keep in mind that there are problems associated with both literal and free translations including:

1. Language and grammar (literal) where the Greek or Hebrew is translated into English in an inappropriate way.

2. English may be ambiguous to the reader as compared to the clear reading of the Greek and Hebrew.

3. A free translation tends to update the language too much, becomes like a commentary and is completed by one translator, which may lead the reader astray.

4.Gender inclusive language might be appropriate in some texts but not in others.

5. Finding appropriate equivalents for weights and money can destroy the true meaning of the parable.

6. Finding appropriate Euphemisms for matters related  to matters of sex and toilet.

7. Vocabulary- finding the right English word that means the same in Hebrew or Greek, does not have foreign connotations to the original language, and takes into account the shades of meaning in the languages.

8. Grammar and Syntax: each language has its own preferred structures as to how words and ideas are related in sentences. This does not necessarily produce idiomatic English.

We must not despair- the Holy Spirit is our guide.