[b-greek] Re: Use of the article..

From: Clwinbery@aol.com
Date: Sat Jul 14 2001 - 20:07:13 EDT


In a message dated 7/14/01 6:55:11 PM, theomann@earthlink.net writes:

>I know that the absence of an article in Greek does not necessarily call
>for the use of the indefinite article in translation. However, are there
>occasions when it is reasonable (or at least acceptable) to use either
>the definite or indefinite articles in translation when the Greek has the
>definite article? For example, in Mt. 5:1, I notice that the NIV translates
>ANEBH EIS TO OROS as "..he went up on a mountainside.." Does this
>accurately reflect the Greek, or would the readers of the gospel have
>understood this to be "THE mountainside ("mountain," "hill," etc.)"?
>
Ted, I would say that the article in Mt. 5:1 would distinguish the mountain
from all others and assume that the disciples knew which mountain. There are
times though when the article would not be translated.

To distinquish one quality from another with abstract nouns. 1 Cor. 13:4 I
would translate hH AGAPH in both instances as "Love is patient; love is
kind." or John 1:17 hH CARIS KAI hHALHQEIA as "Grace and truth . . ." The
article is often used to call attention to a proper name but is not
translated. eg. Acts 19:1 with APOLLW.

The article can be used to distinguish one class from another and the article
not be translated. eg. Luke 10:7 hO ERGATHS can be translated "A laborer
(the whole class of laborers) is worthy of his wages." or 1 Tim. 3:2 TON
EPISKOPON should be translated "A bishop (the whole class of bishops) must be
irreproachable." Also there are times when the article functions like a
pronoun and be translated "he," "they," etc.

Grace and Peace,

Carlton Winbery
Louisiana College

---
B-Greek home page: http://metalab.unc.edu/bgreek
You are currently subscribed to b-greek as: [jwrobie@mindspring.com]
To unsubscribe, forward this message to leave-b-greek-327Q@franklin.oit.unc.edu
To subscribe, send a message to subscribe-b-greek@franklin.oit.unc.edu


This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Mon Feb 11 2002 - 18:40:33 EST