Subject: Translational Difficulties, Living Bible |
Bible Note: Translational Difficulties in the Living Bible If obscurity and poor English are the failings of a literal translation, freer translations sometimes err by moving too far from the author's cultural context or by adding meaning that was not in the mind of the original author. The popular Living Bible (LB) at times loses the cultural setting in its attempt to use contemporary language. Translating "lamps" as "flashlights" (Ps. 119:105 LB), a "holy kiss" as "handshakes" (1 Peter 5:14 LB), and "kissed" as "embraced him in friendly fashion" (Matt. 26:49 LB) all move away from the historical context and hence away from the author's intended meaning. There is also the danger of adding meaning not present in the original. In 1 Kings 20:11, for example, we find in the Living Bible, "Don't count your chickens before they hatch!" But the Hebrew proverb in this passage is "One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off" (NIV). We can be sure that King Ahab did not have chickens in mind when he spoke these words! As the TEV puts it, "A real soldier does his bragging after a battle, not before it." Even this, however, is not quite accurate. Although it conveys the general truth of the proverb more clearly, it loses the image of taking off armor. Of the dynamic equivalent translations, I prefer the NIV rendering in 1 Kings 20:11 (compare NASB, NKJV, ESV), since proverbs, by their very nature, are meant to be understood through reflecting on the analogy drawn. In any case, the Living Bible translation is inaccurate not because it is idiomatic but because it goes beyond the author's intended meaning. - Makarios |