i’m subscribed to a bible translation discussion list, and every once in awhile the topics directly touch upon something we’ve studied. one of the latest threads has been about the use of contractions. i would have liked to insert the whole thread, but felt that might be a bit too much. therefore, i decided to post the message that contains the direct reference to a passage we have recently discussed when studying the bible: Galatians.
most of the people who add to the discussion on the list have a lot of knowledge about the extant biblical texts, so it’s always cool when they bring up points that aren’t usually suggested by the clergy to the laity. this particular instance is about contractions, and has bearing on how we interpret what the author (in this case, Paul) is trying to say. i remember a few weeks ago (in the group i was studying with) i brought up why no clergy (or laity) member really damns people nowadays. it just seemed pretty balsy (to me, anyway) that Paul would be so directly condemning. the explanation (and suggestion) below makes a lot of sense to me, and it would account for some interpretive differences among Christian traditions. this is another reason why it’s important to read a text at the level the author intended it to be read at. does anyone have any (agreeable or contrastive) thoughts?
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Glendon Gross
Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2005 10:05:40 -0800
Subject: [b-trans] Re: Use of contractions
To: BibleTranslation discussion list
CWestf5155@aol.com wrote:
> After I sent my post, I realized that I had omitted my least favorite
> non-contraction (as far as translation from the Greek is concerned).
>
> When we translate hortatory subjunctives as “let us” I think it has
> just about the opposite from the intended rhetorical impact.
>
> Compare the interpersonal effect of “Let us go” with “let’s go.” The
> first person plural imperative communicates something interpersonal
> like “We’re in this together; we’re in the same boat” in contrast with
> the directive/confrontive 2nd person plural.
>
> Cindy Westfall
>
>
Indeed. What’s the last time you have ever heard a group of children
say “Let us……..(do something)” ? They always say
“Let’s (do something). ” They are voicing enthusiasm while at the same
time soliciting participation, without any attempt to confront or direct.
I’ve noticed this in various bible translations, particularly the
NASB. When I read it it seems very strange, i.e.
“Let us go from here”. It is perfectly good grammar, but it is not
used as often as “Let’s go!”.
A similar case where I think the translation misses the rhetorical
impact is in Galatians 1:8.
Byzantine Greek: 1:8 ALLA KAI EAN HMEIN H AGGELOV EX OURANOU
EUAGGELIZHTAI UMIN PAR O EUHGGELISAMEQA UMIN ANAQEMA ESTW
In the AV, it reads:
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto
you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”
TNIV version of Galatians 1:8:
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other
than the one we preach to you, let that person be under God’s curse!”
Employing a standard of field testing, when is the last time you heard
someone say, “Let that person be under God’s curse!” [?]
I suspect Paul’s words would be more accurately translated to modern
English:
“If anyone preaches a gospel different than the one we have preached to
you, let him be damned!”
(or)
“If anyone preaches a gospel different than the one we have preached to
you, to hell with him!”
Here I think the reverence that the translators have for fine language
has improperly softened the Apostle Paul’s rhetoric.
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