“Where the Plain Meaning Is Obscure or Unacceptable . . .:” The Treatment of Implicit Anthropomorphisms in the Medieval Karaite Tradition of Arabic Bible Translation

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-49
Author(s):  
Marzena Zawanowska

The article scrutinizes the treatment of implicit biblical anthropomorphisms in the Arabic translations of medieval Karaites and puts forward a detailed taxonomy of the ways in which they responded to this theological challenge. It demonstrates that in view of such important extra-textual concerns, the Karaites did not feel more committed to a literal representation of the source text than their rabbinic predecessors and contemporaries. Moreover, they did not invent new ways of dealing with these “problematic” expressions, but further developed, consolidated, refined, and systematized older Jewish techniques found in canonical Aramaic Targums and Saʿadyah’s Tafsīr. In addition, they gave these techniques a new, scientific justification enlisting the linguistic convention of ellipsis (ikhtiṣār) to account for some verbal constructs that use the name of God. Finally, they cited the rabbinic dictum, “the Torah speaks in the language of man,” to explain why the Bible depicts the incorporeal God in corporeal terms.

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-22
Author(s):  
Lénart J. de Regt

In the last decade or so, the United Bible Societies have paid increasing attention to orality, features of orality in biblical texts, and what impact these should have on Bible translation. Articles appeared in The Bible Translator, an Orality Working Group was convened in 2008, a Source Text and Orality Workshop for Europe-Middle East translation consultants took place in January 2011, and an Intersemiotic Translation workshop was held in March 2011. Some of these findings have led the author to reflect on performance criticism in this contribution.


2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roelie Van der Spuy

The influence of the translator’s loyalties and underlying translation philosophy on the translation choices, with reference to the Afr2020 Bible translation. When the reader looks a little deeper than the initial superficial ‘Revised’ Old Translation impression that reading the Afrikaans 2020 translation gives you, then one realizes that a great deal of effort had to be put into leading such a large group of diverse translators to understand the essence of a direct translation and to be able to apply it consistently. But it is precisely here that problems can arise. Due to the nature of skopus and the style of the Afrikaans 2020 translation, this direct translation can be categorised on the side of the more literal translations and it thus has a very high percentage of agreement with the 1953 Old Afrikaans translation. If the direct translation is not just another name or a revision of the so-called word-for-word translation, then what is this direct translation? Van der Merwe referring to this translation also touches on this issue when he says: ‘a ‘direct’ translation of the Bible is not new jargon for a word-for-word translation of the Bible. It is an attempt to ‘interpretively resemble’ in good idiomatic Afrikaans all the communicative clues of the source text in the contexts construed for the source text audience’. This underlying fundamental premise brings a lot of tension to the fore. Van der Merwe also confirms this (2014:294) by stating: ‘attempts to translate ancient texts directly (is) an almost impossible ideal (to) pursue’.Contribution: This study evaluated the Afrikaans 2020 translation according to its own criteria, the translation brief and to its self-proclaimed nature as ‘direct’ translation in order to try to make an objective evaluation and assessment of this great work. This process also pointed out where the loyalties of the translators lie, and what the underlying translation philosophy is, and how difficult it is to make a distinction between the direct translation method and using archaic words and terms.


Diacronia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana-Maria Gînsac

Among the difficulties that have always challenged the translators of the Bible one can mention the adaptation of proper names in each idiom. Certain biblical proper names were adapted into Romanian when the first translations of fragments belonging to the Old and the New Testaments were performed. However, most biblical proper names were adapted into Romanian for the first time in the translation of the Septuagint performed by Nicolae Spătarul (Milescu) in the second half of the 17th century and preserved in a manuscript copy (the Romanian manuscript no. 45) from the same century. The main source of this translation was an edition of the Septuagint issued in Frankfurt in 1597. In accordance with the spirit of literalism in Bible translation in that period, the main tendency of translators and reviewers was to preserve, as much as possible, the original form of proper names as they appeared in the source-text, attempting, at the same time, to integrate them in the formal system (graphy, declension) of the Romanian language. Starting from the formal particularities of the names in the source-text, we aim at describing certain aspects related to the graphic principles that the transposition of proper names from the Greek source into Ms. 45 was based upon.


2019 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor E. d'Assonville

The Synod of Dordrecht 1618/19 was not only the most ecumenical synod of reformed churches in history, but is also famous for reaching closure with the formulation of the Canons of Dort, on the highly controversial discussions of election, grace, predestination, free will and other related theological themes that disturbed the Netherlands during the first two decades of the 17th century. Unfortunately, in the wake of this, other crucial matters that also were dealt with at the Synod tend to be obscure. The critical issue of Bible translation is one such example. Although this theme appears to be in the shadow of the contentious debates on election etc., till today the importance of the decisions of the Synod on the principles of Bible translation, which gave rise to the well-known Dutch “Statenvertaling” (State Translation), remain unassailed. These include principles such as translating from the original languages, staying as close as possible to the original source text, remaining as faithful as possible to the typical Hebrew and Greek idiom, as well as the use of an unadulterated, understandable language as target language – with special consideration of and respect for the Names of the Lord, while also taking other important translations into account. Key concepts Statenvertaling (Dutch State Translation); Dordrecht/Dort ; Bible translation ; Translation principles   ‘Monumentum aere perennius’ – Diskussies oor en besluite deur die Sinode van Dordrecht oor Bybelvertaling Opsomming Die Sinode van Dordrecht 1618/19 was nie slegs die mees ekumeniese sinode van gereformeerde kerke in die geskiedenis nie, maar dit is ook beroemd vir die vasstelling van die Dordtse Leerreëls wat terselfdertyd as afsluiting gedien het vir die hoogs omstrede diskussies oor die uitverkiesing, genade, voorsienigheid, vrye wil en ander samehangende teologiese onderwerpe – temas wat groot onrus veroorsaak het in die Nederlande gedurende die eerste twee dekades van die sewentiende eeu. Ongelukkig bring die bekendheid van die Dordtse Leerreëls mee dat ander sleutelsake wat ook deur die sinode hanteer is in die vergetelheid raak. Die sentrale kwessie van Bybelvertaling is een só ’n aspek. Ofskoon dit lyk of hierdie saak in die skaduwee van die kontensieuse diskussies oor uitverkiesing ensovoorts staan, is die betekenis van die sinodebesluite oor die beginsels van Bybelvertaling (wat uiteindelik in die Statevertaling uitgemond het) ’n uitgemaakte saak. Dit sluit beginsels in soos om uit die oorspronklike tale te vertaal, om so na as moontlik aan die oorspronklike bronteks te bly, terwyl ook so getrou as moontlik die tipiese Hebreeuse en Griekse idioom weergegee word en terselfdertyd van ’n suiwer, verstaanbare segswyse en uitdrukking in die doeltaal gebruik gemaak word. Hierby kom besondere aandag aan en respek vir die Name van die Here terwyl ook ander belangrike vertalings in ag geneem word in die vertaalproses. Kernbegrippe: Statevertaling; Dordrecht / Dordt; Bybelvertaling; Vertaalbeginsels


Author(s):  
Jean-Claude Loba-Mkole

This article argues for the importance of Bible translations through its historical achievements and theoretical frames of reference. The missionary expansion of Christianity owes its very being to translations. The early Christian communities knew the Bible through the LXX translations while churches today still continue to use various translations. Translations shape Scripture interpretations, especially when a given interpretation depends on a particular translation. A particular interpretation can also influence a given translation. The article shows how translation theories have been developed to clarify and how the transaction source-target is culturally handled. The articles discuss some of these “theoretical frames”, namely the functional equivalence, relevance, literary functional equivalence and intercultural mediation. By means of a historical overview and a reflection on Bible translation theories the article aims to focus on the role of Africa in translation history.


The Library ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 344-375
Author(s):  
Alexander Soetaert ◽  
Heleen Wyffels

Abstract The career of the Catholic Englishman Laurence Kellam is often reduced to his most impressive edition, the Old Testament of the Douay-Rheims Bible (1609–1610), an English Catholic Bible translation edited by the English College of Douai. Yet, there has been scarce attention for the remaining 190 editions, printed in English, as well as in Latin, French and Dutch, that bear a Kellam imprint. The discovery of another fifty editions that should be ascribed to the Kellam press demands a reappraisal of its activities and significance. By analysing both printed and archival sources, this article intends to fit the Bible edition of 1609–1610, and English Catholic printing on the continent more generally, into the wider perspective of three generations of publishing activities and family history, highlighting the increasingly tight connections between several generations of the Kellam family and the authors, institutions, and fellow-publishers of their host society.


2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-176
Author(s):  
Zainal Arifin

Abstract: This study appears due MUIS Malaysia ban the use of the word "Allah" for the citizens is not Islam. This study examined for the purposes of the establishment of religious tolerance based on the understanding of religion. This paper seeks to explain that the word "Allah" contained in the Qur'an and the Bible, by limiting the study of the Qur’an and the Bible, to formulate the concept of "Allah" who became God for Muslims. This study found that the word "Allah" though not derived from Arabic, he eventually became part of the Arabic language of the Koran. He also became the name of God for Muslims. Furthermore, the authors found that in addition to Muslims, Christians and Jews may use the word "Allah" to indicate their God. When a Christian used to indicate the name of Jesus, it is also allowed as a form of tolerance. As the infidels Quraish mention sculpture as a means of worshiping God. Abstrak: Kajian ini muncul akibat pelarangan MUIS Malaysia dalam penggunaan kata "Allah" bagi warga bukan Islam. Kajian ini dikaji untuk keperluan tegaknya toleransi beragama berdasarkan pe¬mahaman agama. Tulisan ini berupaya menjelaskan bahwa kata "Allah" tertuang dalam Al-Quran dan Alkitab, dengan membatasi telaah pada Al-Quran dan Alkitab, merumuskan konsep "Allah" yang menjadi Tuhan bagi Muslim. Penelitian ini menemukan bahwa kata "Allah" walau bukan berasal dari bahasa Arab, ia akhirnya menjadi bagian dari bahasa Quran yang Arab. Ia juga menjadi nama Tuhan bagi umat Islam. Lebih jauh lagi, penulis menemukan bahwa selain Muslim, umat Nasrani dan Yahudi boleh menggunakan kata "Allah" untuk me-nunjukkan Tuhan mereka. Bila seorang Kristiani meng-gunakannya untuk menunjuk¬kan nama Yesus, itu juga dibolehkan sebagai wujud toleransi. Sebagaimana kaum kafir Quraisy me¬nyebutkan patung sebagai sarana me-nyembah Allah. Keywords: Allah, Al-Quran, Alkitab, God, Islam, Kristen.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ntozakhe Cezula

The aim of this article is to examine Bible reading in the African context and the willingness and enthusiasm to embrace prosperity gospel in Africa. To achieve this objective, a discussion on the developments in biblical interpretation in Africa will first be presented. This will be done by examining three historical periods: colonial, independence and democratisation periods. This will be followed by an outline of migrations that have taken place from traditional religions to different versions of Christianity in different times in Africa. These migrations will be examined in connection with Bible translation. The relationship between prosperity gospel and African people in Africa will be discussed by considering the tools prosperity gospel uses to appeal to African people, namely the religio-cultural and socio-economic factors. The article will then provide its assessment of contextual reading in the prosperity gospel and a conclusion will follow.


Author(s):  
Aleksenko S.F.

The purpose of the article is to outline intertextual links in the English cinematic discourse by establishing the types of allusions functioning in the cinematic discourse of “The Matrix”.Methods. The research has been carried out by dint of descriptive method while surveying and outlining the scientific approaches to the category of intertextuality, the method of contextual analysis for singling out from the film text of the film discourse in question the relevant contexts with intertext, the method of intertextual analysis for determining types of allusions according to their relation with the source text.Results. It has been determined that a cinematic discourse as a semiotically complex dynamic process of interaction between a multiple addressor and a film recipient is characterized, alongside verbal-visual unity, coherence, completeness and contextual meaning, by intertextuality, the latter being revealed in the film text – an integral part of the cinematic discourse. It has been found out that the means of creating textual reminiscence which shapes the intertextuality of the film text of “The Matrix” is allusion. The philosophical meaning encased in the cinematic discourse of the film under analysis is connected with the ideas of the belief in being the chosen one, of one’s mission, the struggle of two worlds – the good and the evil, loyalty and betrayal. Those are ideas which permeate the Sacred Writ, so it is the Bible – the most recognizable and significant for the American culture precedent text – that serves as a source text providing ground for associative referential hints within the framework of the film in question. According to the form of presentation in the film text there have been picked semantic and structural allusions, according to the placing in the text relative allusions (allusions of local impact) have been identified. Semantic allusions preserve the initial semantic content of the source and impart occasional connotation to the objects of allusive evaluation. Structural allusions bring about associative links with certain qualities of allusive denotata. Relative allusions are realized in the film text through non-verbal indexical signs. The latter, in the vivid form of number plates, refer the viewer to definite Biblical lines, thus coming up with some additional characteristic of the objects of allusive reference.Conclusions. Textual Biblical allusions in the cinematic discourse of “The Matrix” semantically, structurally or as allusions of local impact create intertextual links, transferring the attributes of Biblical characters and events to those highlighted in the cinematic discourse analyzed. Allusions, being references to the source text as to the index of the situation, come forth as a means of identification of certain characteristics of film personages, places, actions.Key words: film text, the category of intertextuality, textual reminiscence, precedent text, semantic content of the source. Метою статті є визначення інтертекстуальних зв’язків в англомовному кінематографічному дискурсі через з’ясування типів алюзій у кінодискурсі фільму «Матриця».Методи. Дослідження здійснено за допомогою описового методу для осмислення та опису наукових підходів до кате-горії інтертекстуальності, методу контекстуального аналізу у разі виокремлення з кінотексту досліджуваного кінодискурсу релевантних контекстів з інтертекстом, методу інтертекстуального аналізу для визначення типу алюзій за їх зв’язком з тек-стом-джерелом.Результати. Виявлено, що кінодискурс як семіотично складний динамічний процес взаємодії множинного адресанта та кінореципієнта поряд з вербально-візуальною єдністю, зв’язністю, завершеністю та контекстуальністю значення харак-теризується інтертекстуальністю, причому остання проявляється в кінотексті – невід’ємній частині кінодискурсу. З’ясовано, що прийомом створення текстової ремінісценції, через який реалізується інтертекстуальність кінотексту фільму «Матриця», є алюзія. Філософський смисл, закладений у кінодискурсі аналізованого фільму, пов’язаний з ідеями віри в обраність, місій-ності, боротьби двох світів – добра і зла, відданості та зради – ідеями, якими пронизане Святе Письмо, а отже, Біблія як найбільш впізнаваний та ціннісно значимий прецедентний текст для американської культури і слугує текстом-джерелом для асоціативних натяків-відсилок – алюзій у такому кінотексті. За формою представленості в кінотексті було виявлено семан-тичні та структурні алюзії, за положенням у тексті ідентифіковано алюзії релятивні (алюзії локальної дії). Семантичні алюзії зберігають вихідну семантичну наповненість джерела та надають об’єктам алюзивної оцінки оказіональної конотації. Струк-турні алюзії викликають асоціативні зв’язки з певними якостями алюзивних денотатів. Релятивні алюзії реалізуються через невербальні індексальні знаки – в кінотексті фільму написи на транспортних засобах наочно відсилають глядача до конкрет-них рядків у Біблії, щоб надати додаткову характеристику об’єктам алюзивної відсилки.Висновки. Текстові біблійні алюзії у кінодискурсі фільму «Матриця» семантично, структурно чи релятивно (як алюзії локальної дії) створюють міжтекстові зв’язки, переносячи ознаки біблійних персонажів та подій на ті, про які йдеться в ана-лізованому кінодискурсі. Алюзії, слугуючи відсилками до тексту-джерела як знаку ситуації, функціонують як засоби для ототожнення певних характеристик персонажів, місць, дій, які відбуваються у кінотворі.Ключові слова: кінотекст, категорія інтертекстуальності, текстова ремінісценція, прецедентний текст, семантична напо-вненість джерела.


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