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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Why no gender-neutral language in NASB? | Bible general Archive 1 | Hank | 8490 | ||
The answer to your question about why the more literal and (generally) more conservative translations do not use "gender neutral" language is that the languages from which they are translated did not use "gender neutral" language. We have no gender-neutral third person singular personal pronouns in the English language. The word "it" hardly can be used to describe human beings. So translators, in order to translate "gender-neutrally" are compelled to resort to various lierary devices; namely, to recast the sentence by using a construction that is different from the original languages, or to pluralize the personal pronouns so that "he" becomes "they"; "he", "them" etc. Where the original text says, for example, "adam" (man) they must resort to such terms as people, persons, or mortals. As rich and as versatileas our English tongue is, it does have its weaknesses. But even so, the language has flourished for years and even the simplest of folk understood perfectly well what Jesus meant when He said "Man shall not live by bread alone." Only recently has this become an issue. --Hank | ||||||
2 | Why no gender-neutral language in NASB? | Bible general Archive 1 | Makarios | 8530 | ||
The inclusive language debate concerns issues such as translation philosophy, linguistics and Bible interpretation (hermeneutics). My perspective of this issue is not based upon any social agenda or initiative, and I simply seek to see the English language demonstrably representing the biblical author's intended meaning in words that are as descriptive as possible. Many see the validity in the introduction of inclusive language, as you have pointed out, in the CEV, TEV, NLT, NRSV, and I could add a few others such as: NIVI, NCV, GW, GNB, NJB, REB, and NAB. However, the NASB, NKJV, KJV, RSV, and NIV do not subscribe to the validity of gender inclusive language, and I do not either. I believe that not only does this add obscurity and present challenges to Biblical translation that should not be there during translation, but this opens up an entirely new front to the method of translation that threatens the future of our English Bible. I will not exclusively use or choose a Bible with gender inclusive language as my 'predominant' translation, being the one that I go to to read, study, and memorize 90 percent of the time. | ||||||