"40 Questions About Bible Translation" (Mark L. Strauss)

TITLE: 40 Questions About Bible Translation
AUTHOR: Mark L. Strauss
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2023, (352 pages).
 

The Bible is the bestselling book in the world. It is one of the most read, studied, referred to, quoted, and translated works in history. The originals were all written in ancient Aramaic/Hebrew and koine Greek. Since the rest of the world doesn't generally know these biblical languages, translations are needed. This book looks at many aspects of Bible Translation, focusing mainly on English translations. The questions start from the basic like, "Why do we need Bible Translation?" strengths and weaknesses of literal, formal equivalence, functional equivalence, and philosophies used in translation.  It then moves toward a more technical area to help readers appreciate the challenges of Bible translation. Toward the end, we get a survey of modern English translations and the many different revisions. The 40 questions are divided into six parts:

1. Necessity, Goals, and Methods of Bible Translation
2. Preparing to Translate
3. Challenges for Translators
4. History of English Bible Translations
5. Contemporary English Versions
6. International Bible Translation

Philosophically, the author highlights the different approaches adopted by translators. This is important for readers of different translations because very translation is itself an interpretation. Knowing the philosophy adds in the translation contexts for us to be aware of. The technical portion includes the selection of manuscripts in the translation, translating the metaphorical languages, figures of speech, euphemisms, cultural nuances, and measurement units. 

 

The author also deals with controversial issues especially those related to gender and patriarchal contexts for modern readers. Strauss spends some time with the well-regarded KJV providing the pros and cons of it. Other questions include the Apocrypha, canonization, the Name of God, and the bridging of time.

 

My Thoughts
This book is a precious and useful resource to have in the library of any believer. With an easy to refer Q&A format, it resembles the church catechisms in some mainline churches. Let me give three thoughts about this book. First, it makes the art and science of Bible translation accessible for laypeople. Though it is targeted at English translations, we can appreciate the principles and tough choices needed in the translation process. I am more familiar with the translation continuum that goes from "literal" to "dynamic equivalence" to "paraphrase." Strauss puts it as "formal equivalent," "mediating equivalence," and "functional equivalence" respectively. Both are essentially the same thing, though the descriptive words differ. There is clear description of the various Bible translation philosophies. Strauss also takes pains to explain the many challenges translators have to make in their translation work. It is no easy task and each time any of us picks up a translation, we should be thankful for the blessed work conveniently made available for us. 

Second, translation is an ongoing work that involves both historical discovery as well as cultural progression. With the discovery of new manuscripts or new archaeological findings might lead to  revisions of the best words to use or contexts to know. With cultural progression, translations may need to be modernised to bridge the ancient with the modern. This does not necessarily mean compromising the original texts. That is why I believe one of the best ways to study the Bible (without knowing the original languages) is to use at least 3 translations, one from each category of translation principle. That is, at a minimum, chose a formal, a functional, and a mediating equivalent. (My Bible school professors recommended seven!) Translation is a difficult work. One needs to be faithful to the original while making the texts as clear and understandable for the layperson.

Finally, this book updates the latest in modern English translations. I find it extremely helpful to learn about the reasons for updating popular versions like the NIV, NASB, and the KJV. Many of the resources that cover Bible translations are dated. This book updates a lot of the latest development. Nearly all the popular versions have been updated with new translations. The NASB in 2020, the NRSV in 2022, ESV in 2016, NET in 2017, the updated HCSB (now CSB in 2017), NIV  in 2011. The LSB is a result of unhappiness with the NASB-2020 edition. I appreciate these updates and hope that there will be a way to update this book when important new changes occur.

 

This book should be on the shelf of every Christian, especially those who have more than one Bible version. 

 
Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Kregel Academic without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.