Perspectives in Translation

Question: What makes a translation accurate?

Quite simply, a translation is accurate when the form and substance of the original is rendered as faithfully as possible into another language. But there is nothing very simple about that when it comes to Bible translation.

First, our knowledge of the ancient languages, while impressive, is not perfect. We wish we better understood the nuances of many words and phrases in Scripture.

Second, translator abilities vary. Even committees arrive at decisions that time reveals to have been less than optimal.

Third, what is “form” in the biblical languages, and what is “substance,” is often debatable. Are the purported “hymns” in the NT (passages like Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-20; 1 Timothy 3:16) rightly printed in poetry-like format to underscore their possible hymnic origin and character? Does the “form” of a three-word phrase in Hebrew require that three and only three words be used in a translation? How do we best convey the “substance” of a word like “propitiation” in a culture that views a wrathful God with incredulity and distaste? What is the “substance” of andres adelphoi (“men, brothers”) in Acts (e.g., 1:16; 2:29, 37; 7:2; 13:15) in an inclusive-language age? And how do English-language inclusivist principles apply in non-English languages?

Fourth, what does it mean to render “faithfully”? Faithfully to whom or what? To the text? To God? How do we know when or if we have achieved that? To the author/s of the original, or the communities that preserved their writings? To the heritage of others who have interpreted and/or translated these writings? To our own age? If so, does that mean people in the church who understand at least some biblical concepts? Or does that mean people outside the church who need a rendition in fresh and idiomatic language? Does that include people of a non-Christian religion, perhaps like Muslims who know about some things in the Bible only via the Qur’an, and who might be offended by terms like “Son of God” in NT writings? What does “faithfully” mean when such subgroups are in view?

Fifth, when we speak of an “accurate” translation, who is the audience we have in mind, and what purpose do we have in translating for this audience? Is the translation designed for use in public church reading ? Is the goal didactic, maybe as the basis for study Bible notes? Is it for expanding on possible nuances of the original languages (like the Amplified Bible)? Is it for avoiding churchy or stilted or stereotyped language (like the NLT)? Is it for people with a lower literary and educational level (like the GNT)? How about readers who regard calling God “Father” as sexist? What does “accurate” mean when this subgroup is in view?

These deliberations do not mean an “accurate” translation is an unattainable goal. They do suggest that due to a number of variables, there are a number of ways to go about “accurate” translating.

Robert Yarbrough is professor of New Testament at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He is co-editor of the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament series.

This entry was posted by Robert Yarbrough and is filed under New Testament, Translation Philosophy.