[b-greek] RE: IDIOMS

From: Phil Long (plong@gbcol.edu)
Date: Wed Dec 27 2000 - 16:48:14 EST



> But it is interesting to footnote it because it is so colorful, often,
> earthy, and lively. Figures of speech enliven language all throughout the
> world. We just need to be sure we translate them properly into other
> languages so their figurative meaning is understood accurately.

I wholeheartedly agree, although I think that the way we are expressing this sounds (to some) a bit
scary. I think that there are those that hear that a translation is not "literal" and think that
means "liberal" or somehow flawed. The trick (if that is the right word) is to translate the ideas
of the Greek / Hebrew into a target language in such a way as to be faithful to the original *and*
communicate to the readers of the new language.

> A huge amount of the NT is written in figurative language and with rhetorical
> devices such as irony and hyperbole, so that we can easily miss the
> originally intended message if we simply translate the words.

An interesting case in point is the difference between the old Loeb translations and the new Loeb
translations. If you read the older versions in English, you miss many rather earthy details that
the translator purposely obscured so as not to offend the sensitive late 19th/early 20th century
reader. The new versions are bordering on bawdy in places, which is *exactly* the way the writers
intended in the first place! A strict, literal, word-for-word translation is almost never
appropriate. Naturally there are a few lines here and there that coincidently come out word for
word the same as English, but to translate an entire document that way is mad.

I suppose this discussion, if it need continue, should move the bible-trans list. Either that or
include something about verbal aspect just to keep on topic <g>.

Phillip J. Long
Asst. Prof. Bible & Greek
Grace Bible College
Grand Rapids, MI


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