Bible Translation

One thing I love about using the Logos.com platform is the monthly giveaways. Awhile back they were highlighting resources on Bible translations, and I picked up some new resources for free and cheap. One of those I just recently finished, the MobileEd course by Lexham Press, God’s Word as Translation. It was helpful for more than just Bible translation questions.

Path: Dr. Trick builds a foundation for the translation process by explaining the concept and problems behind “literalness”, the nature of meaning and communication, how this affects the translation process, and the missiological implications of Bible translation.

Sources: As a translator himself, having worked with language groups around the world, Dr. Trick helps the student understand not only how translation works, but how language and communication work.

Agreement: This course was so much more than just translating a word or verse. I found his metaphors very helpful in my own understanding of meaning and communication.

Other books along this theme would be:

  • Fee, Gordon D, and Douglas K Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.
  • Köstenberger, Andreas J., David A. Croteau, and Joe Stowell. Which Bible Translation Should I Use?: A Comparison of 4 Major Recent Versions. B&H, 2013.
  • Ryken, Leland, and C. John Collins. The Word of God in English: Criteria for Excellence in Bible Translation. Complete Numbers Starting with 1, 1st Ed edition. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway, 2002.
  • Wallace, Daniel B. “Five Myths About Bible Translation.” Parchment and Pen (blog).

For me, this was the most helpful diagram of the whole class. It is his explanation of how communication happens.