[B-Greek] How literal to render

R Yochanan Bitan Buth ybitan at mscc.huji.ac.il
Tue Nov 30 17:03:35 EST 2004


HRWTHSEN Ron Minton

> This may be a little off topic, but how literal should we try to
render Greek grammar?  I often struggle with literal or functional
when working in the GNT.>

 

If in a class, translate however the teacher wants it. Rule one is
finish and get the credit. (apparently, you do not have a teacher who
uses cloze-testing and other devices to avoid translation and let you
work within Greek.) 

If not in a class, advice is different. If you replace the minutes or
hours of translation with more reading and in using Greek, you will
learn more Greek and may find that some of your study time grows more
efficient. You may take solace in the fact that second language
acquisition theorists do not consider 'translation' to be efficient
for language learning. 

 

Translation is a special skill and discipline. If you really need to
make translations for a particular audience, then you should read some
good studies about translation so that you understand what is going on
and what is at stake in the various options. 

 

Blessings

Randall Buth

 

 

Randall Buth, PhD

Director, Biblical Language Center

www.biblicalulpan.org

and Director, Biblical Studies in Israel

Hebrew University, Rothberg International School

ybitan at mscc.huji.ac.il

 




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