Principles of Translation - jvb Aa
0.0 Introduction. Any serious student of Scripture becomes a
translator. Even without knowledge of the original languages, one can experiment
with alternate formulations that seem to make more sense in the context of
verse, passage, chapter, book, author, dispensation, and the whole of
Scripture. And / or formulations that are more fluent, able to state the
content in a more readily comprehensible manner. A book that is helpful in this
exercise is "The Bible in 26 Versions" which is a condensation of the
meaningful variations. This book may be used to provide some scholarly
validation to ones formulation of an alternate translation.
Various tools are now available to make the original languages more
accessible to the individual student of Scripture. Thayer's lexicon, a majority
text interlinear, and BibleWorks versions 3 through 9 have been particularly
helpful to me.
The primary force behind my present, more formal, translation
activity is the approach to the translation of the Greek tenses pioneered by
Knock over a century ago and then neglected. The insight of Robinson into the
Greek cases has a similar history.
My translations are experimental. I welcome feedback from all sorts
and conditions of men. But I pray that these translations may enable the
viewing of God's Word from a different angle and that this may be of benefit to
the reader and might be to the glory of God.
1.0 Tenses. An extreme approach has been followed in applying Knock
to the translation of verbs. The frequent use of the English present participle
may be an awkward distraction. But I have attempted to be consistent. The
aorist becomes present. The aorist participle becomes present with some
circumlocution. The imperfect, present, and future become the present
participle prefixed by the past, present, and future, respectively of the verb
"to be". I have attempted to show both the past process and the present
state that are parts of the Greek perfect.
2.0 Cases. Our examples of early written Greek have five cases. The
earlier written Sanskrit, a similar language, has eight cases. In early written
Greek, through identical case endings, the ablative has been merged with the
genitive. the locative and instrumental have been merged with the dative. But
usage reflects the earlier differentiation. I have used the ablative, locative,
and instrumental meanings wherever it seemed to make sense.
3.0 Imperatives. The first and third person imperatives and the exhortative
senses present special problems. I have attempted to retain the imperative
force despite the resulting awkwardness.
4.0 Words. My criteria for the translation of individual words are
quite eclectic. Whatever seems to make sense at the time. But I try to find
some support from the lexicons. Thayer has been a frequent inspiration.
5.0 Style. Style is at best a tertiary consideration. Sometimes it
is very analytical. Sometimes it is colloquial. Whatever seems the most
sensible and fluent.
6.0 Greek critical text. I prefer the Byzantine Text Form of
Robinson and Pierpont, 2005, Followed by Scrivener's reverse engineering of
King James, 1894. Followed by Nestle-Aland 27th Edition, 1993, Stuttgart. I sometimes
consult the Net Bible Notes and various cross references, and occasionally dive
into the complex CNTSS critical apparatus. I have yet to utilize BibleWorks
photos of manuscripts, but it is somehow comforting that they are there.
7.0 Original readers and hearers. The composition of the adherents
of Christian assemblies in the apostolic era is factionated. The writings
intended, first of all, for these audiences are arguably applicable in some way
to each faction. (Ambiguity in writing that is neither scholarly nor technical
nor scientific is often a very efficient means of communication.) Aiming truth
at the begotten again in Christ, the begotten again under the Law, unsaved
under the Law, and the Gentile unsaved, all at once, requires very careful
phrasing. The difference between baptized (that is, at least nominal Christian)
adherents, unbaptized adherents, and visitors would also be considered.
8.0 Writer. The office and commission of the writer needs to be
taken into account. Apostolic authority has been the historic norm. But all applicable
special spiritual offices and gifts (Eph 4:11, 1Cor 12:4-5) ought to be
considered.
T Principles jvb Aa.docx / Translation M1310 / 10/22/2013 6:39 AM 10/23/2013 3:18 PM 10/23/2013 4:15 PM
