[B-Greek] re my wooden interlinear translations

Eric Inman eric.inman at wescorpflex.com
Fri Nov 4 23:42:39 EST 2005


My understanding is that the goal of a translation is, as much as possible,
to evoke the same thoughts and sensations in the minds of the readers that
were evoked by the original version. Since readers of Greek were accustomed
to different phrase and sentence structures than English readers are, the
structures must change accordingly in order to mimic the same effect. It is
the response of the readers that is to be mimicked, not the phrase and
sentence structures.

Furthermore, it is inconsistent to replace the Greek words with English
words, yet not replace the Greek phrase and sentence structures with English
ones. Imagine doing it the other way around and calling that a translation.

As for fully appreciating these issues, even after studying several
languages in high school and college, that was virtually nothing compared to
what I learned from living for several years in a foreign country
(Indonesia) and becoming bilingual. I found that I would speak and know
exactly what I was saying without being aware of which language I was using,
or I would remember exactly what was said in a conversation without being
able to recall which language was used. This indicated to me that our
thoughts and sensations govern our language, not the other way around. Thus
the focus of translation must as much as possible be on evoking the correct
thoughts and sensations.

Eric Inman


-----Original Message-----
From: b-greek-bounces at lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:b-greek-bounces at lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Dan Gleason
Sent: Friday, November 04, 2005 8:49 PM
To: b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Re: [B-Greek] re my wooden interlinear translations

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.

JW:
>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.

DG: Lets agree that we disagree.
I know of a well know NT greek scholar that wrote Mark's style was "at times

- grotesque."
And he did'nt mean it in a perjorative way.
Those are not my words.
And I won't argue with those words because he knows more about Greek grammar

than I ever will.

JW
>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.

DG: Yes, I have my ideas about his style, and I think they are valid.
But those reasons are based on my personal interpretation and for the sake 
of harmony I would like to keep those reasons to myself. You won't ever see 
me asking what kind of a Christian another person is.

JW
>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.

DG: Like I said, you won't be seeing any more of my "bad translations" in 
the future.
All future posts will be buffered by standard, orthodox, direct quotes from 
well known published bibles.
Maybe that will make you less "mean."

JW
>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.  What's your educational 
>background?

DG: I am a college graduate with a business degree. I minored in 
mathematics.

JW
>Where did you study Greek?  What's your educational background?

DG: I am self educated. I have the Machen book and I study online from many 
different sources.
I have taken many classes in German and Spanish. I have no formal education 
in Greek.

JW
>And, bluntly, (sorry, I tend to be so);
what are your qualifications for writing a book on Mark?

Nobody needs any formal qualifications to write a book, a short story, an 
essay, a letter to the editor, or a newspaper ad.
You don't need formal education to be great. Lincoln had no formal education

but some of the things he wrote are immortal.
People should judge other people on the quality of their mind and their work

product.
You have seen a few of my "bad translations" - and my overview about why 
they are bad "on purpose, for a purpose" but you have not seen my work 
product and what I do with those translations.
You are making a snap judgement with insuffient data.
You shouldn't do that.
Many other authors had little education. Faulkner and Hemingway come to 
mind.

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

DG: Yes, I have seen it - and not just recently.
Have you?

Jim, I know you're just blowing off a little steam here.
Sometimes it's a good thing to rant a little.
I forgive you for your hasty judgements and I hope any exchanges we have in 
the future will be nothing but cordial.
In another week or so I will be asking more questions but in a style that 
shouldn't offend anybody.
At that point, hopefully, we can all start off from square 1 again.

very respectfully,

Dan Gleason



>From: Jim West <jwest at highland.net>
>To: b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org
>Subject: Re: [B-Greek] re my wooden interlinear translations
>Date: Fri, 04 Nov 2005 16:24:25 -0500
>
>
>
>Best,
>
>Jim
>
>--
>D. Jim West
>
>Biblical Studies Resources -  http://web.infoave.net/~jwest
>Biblical Theology Weblog -  http://biblical-studies.blogspot.com
>---
>B-Greek home page: http://metalab.unc.edu/bgreek
>B-Greek mailing list
>B-Greek at lists.ibiblio.org
>http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/b-greek

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