[B-Greek] re my wooden interlinear translations

Jim West jwest at highland.net
Fri Nov 4 16:24:25 EST 2005



Dan Gleason wrote:

I just want you all to know that is the way I read the
> Greek text.  I read it in painfully literal way - and I do it on purpose 
> - for a purpose. ... I do it to emulate Marks style, which appears 
> on the surface, at times, to be grotesque. 

But the point is, you are not emulating Mark's style.  Mark didn't write 
grotesque Greek, nor did what he write appear nonsensical to the Greek 
reading, thinking, speaking people whom he addressed.  And you aren't 
emulating Mark's style because Mark didn't write in English.  Mark's 
Greek is perfectly fine.  Sure, it isn't Homer- but he didn't want to be 
Homer.

What seems to be going on is that you have a preconception about Mark, 
his style, and you cannot, or will not, let it go.  Carl hasn't chided 
you because he's a mean sort of person (that's really more my forte)- 
he's chiding you because you seem so utterly determined to ignore good 
suggestions and advice in terms of translating.

You say you are writing a book on Mark.  Would you mind sharing a bit 
about your background?  I always find it useful to know where someone is 
coming from- so I can see where they are going.  Where did you study 
Greek?  What's your educational background?  And, bluntly, (sorry, I 
tend to be so); what are your qualifications for writing a book on Mark?

And, by the way, Carl has written an insightful commentary on Mark, 
listed on his website, found in his signature.

Best,

Jim

-- 
D. Jim West

Biblical Studies Resources -  http://web.infoave.net/~jwest
Biblical Theology Weblog -  http://biblical-studies.blogspot.com



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