Sentence Structure (part 2)

Before moving on to other topics, I thought I'd take another look at the issue of sentence structure--and even paragraph structure.

One would think that all translations would use more or less the same paragraph structure as is found in the original texts. The problem is that the original texts do not have paragraphs as we use them in English, so paragraph breaks become a matter of interpretation by the translators.

For example, look at Eph. 5:18-24. Where should a new sentence or paragraph (or even a whole section) begin? In the Greek text, the grammatical structure suggests that this section is all one long sentence--ranging from "don't get drunk with wine" to "wives, submit to your husbands." Nonetheless, the editors of the UBS Greek text (which is the basis for most modern translations) created a new sentence and a new paragraph at 5:21. Take a look at any English translation; I don't think you'll find a translaton with only one sentence in this section.

Here are the divisions in various English translations (grouped by families):



Is your head spinning at all of the options? And who says Bible translators shouldn't have to make judgments in translation?!

Labels: Mark Taylor, NLT, translation issues, translation philosophy

I'm beginning here an occasional series of posts in which I'll explore some of the differences between the NLT and other translations. Specifically, I'll look at underlying differences between dynamic equivalence (DE) translations and formal equivalence (FE) translations, which are also called "word-for-word" or "essentially literal" translations.

In these posts I'll typically use the KJV, NKJV, NASB, RSV, and ESV as examples of formal-equivalence translations. And the NLT is a dynamic-equivalence translation.

I should point out that there is no right and wrong here. Both of these translation theories are legitimate, and each translation is created with a primary adherence to one or the other of these philosophies.

Sentence Structure
FE translations try to replicate in English the sentence structure of the original Hebrew or Greek. Let's look at Romans 1:1-7 as an example. In the Greek, Paul begins this letter with a long introduction that follows the traditional format for an epistle (i.e., a letter):
From:
To:
Greetings.

The "from" element is long and complicated (1:1-6). The "to" element is short and sweet (1:7a). The "greetings" element is also short (1:7b) and has an interesting twist. Instead of using the traditional word chairein "Greetings," Paul uses the word charis "Grace," which sounds similar in the original Greek text.

The original readers of this letter from Paul would have instantly recognized the "epistle format" of the opening verses. And that format is replicated in the ESV:
1:1 "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, . . ."
1:7a "To all those in Rome . . ."
1:7b "Grace to you and peace from God our Father . . ."

But modern letters in Western culture do not use that same format. So the NLT attempts to capture the sense that "this is a letter" by rendering the traditional epistolary elements as follows:
1:1 "This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, . . ."
1:7a "I am writing to all of you in Rome . . ."
1:7b "May God our Father . . . give you grace and peace."

Now back to my point about sentence structure. The Greek text uses one long sentence for this entire introductory section (1:1-7). So FE translations like the NASB, NKJV, and ESV also use one long English sentence. The NLT is less concerned about maintaining the structure of the sentence, so it uses nine sentences to help ensure that the modern reader can follow and readily understand the complex elements of Paul's theological introduction.

Each translational approach has its own strengths. Viva la différence!

Labels: Mark Taylor, NLT, translation issues, translation philosophy

The NLT Study Bible has now been out for over a year, but we're still working hard to bring you more and more ways to use this great tool for understanding the Bible.

When the NLT Study Bible first appeared, it was already available in multiple formats. In addition to the ten print options, we offered a full online edition, versions for Logos Bible Software and WORDsearch, and a mobile version from Laridian. These are all great options, and they are all still available--but we definitely weren't done yet.

Now, it has been released in another mobile format from OliveTree. I have been using this version on my iPod Touch for a few months now, and I love it. I haven't used it on any of the other mobile platforms, but in the iPhone/iPod Touch version, there are some very unique and useful features that debuted with this release, including icons integrated with the Bible text that make for one-touch access to the NLT Study Bible content in a popup window, without switching from one book to another.

[If you are interested in getting this version from OliveTree, think about doing it soon. They have a 22% off coupon on their website that expires 8/15/09]

Don't forget about the NLT Study Series, a collection of devotional guides using the NLT Study Bible that launches with volumes on Genesis, John, Romans, and James in the next few weeks.

This fall, four more print options will be available: genuine leather in black and burgundy, and two new LeatherLike options. We're also working on preparing an edition for Kindle, but no release date has been set.

Are there any other formats in which you would like to see the NLT Study Bible available?