Literal translations and accuracy

John M. Moe John.M.Moe-1 at tc.umn.edu
Wed Aug 5 11:57:44 EDT 1998




Jonathan Robie wrote:

> 

SNIP

> 
>
> I had a literal translation. As I interpreted it, following the literal
> interpretation, it seemed that dropping out of the conference was the
> appropriate application. This was not at all what the author intended. I
> thought this an interesting object lesson.
>
> Jonathan
>
> jonathan at texcel.no
> Texcel Research
> http://www.texcel.no
> 
> 

Jonathan,

Interesting example, but it seems to be that the problem you had was not with the
literal translation but with the interpretation. To draw a parallel from Biblical
Greek, I could correctly and literally translate Paul's instructions to Timothy
regarding his cloak and "Books" and assume that those words were meant for me. I
would then be in a quandary as to how I was to make a delivery over 2000 years of
time. In other words, the translation was correct and accurate. It was just not
made clear to whom it was addressed. This, by the way, is, In my opinion, often a
fallacy of interpretation, especially for lay Christians. The question "to whom
is this addressed?" seems to never enter some peoples minds. They read as if
every word were addressed personally to them.

Blessings on your trip to Japan!

JM

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Rev. John M. Moe
St. John's Lutheran Church, Rich Valley
http://www.state.net/sjrv/





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