First Question: What Makes a Translation Accurate?
Posted in Translation Philosophy by Collin Hansen on October 28th, 2010The first question I am posing to the group is, “What makes a translation accurate?” Over the course of several days we’ll hear from translators and other scholars who prefer different Bible versions. You’ll see answers that share much in common but differ in how exactly they tease out the desired goal of accuracy. Is a translation accurate if it sticks as closely to the Greek and Hebrew as possible, within the bounds of acceptable English? Or is it accurate if translators have identified the meaning behind the biblical authors’ words and rendered those thoughts into contemporary English? And what difference does it make with actual verses? You’ll see scholars line up across a spectrum between these two poles as they argue for the best way to bring God’s Word into our day. Please feel free to join in the discussion, but keep in mind comments will be monitored to foster a respectful, edifying experience for all readers.
Collin Hansen is the editorial director for The Gospel Coalition and co-author of A God-Sized Vision: Revival Stories That Stretch and Stir.
This entry was posted by Collin Hansen and is filed under Translation Philosophy.