Literal Translation vs Paraphrase
24 02 2007I was singing “Tere Bina” to myself and I came to this bit:
“Tere bina sona peetal, tere sang keekar peepal, aaja…” and I thought of a new meaning to it today which didn’t strike me yesterday. This line basically says “without you around even gold seems like brass and when you’re around the keekar tree is like a peepal tree” which yesterday I would have translated as “there’s no difference between a keekar tree and a peepal tree when I’m with you, cos I’m focusing on you and not on the trees” (keekar trees and peepal trees are very different from each other).
But today when I was singing I thought hmmm why does he mention keekar and peepal? Just to make it rhyme? And it struck me then, keekar trees are kinda… skinny and well pretty looking but peepal trees are huge and comforting and nice to sit under.. etc. I was thinking maybe this line means that even a keekar tree feels like a peepal tree because of this person being around. Cos a pretty thing like gold becomes plain like brass without the person, but with the person a plain thing like the keekar becomes a peepal. Maybe.
So with Bible translations. 2 reasons why I prefer literal translations over paraphrased ones:
- You’re reading the real text and not the translator’s interpretation of it. That means, you’re not reading it as “the two trees are the same” but as “the keekar is like the peepal”. On the surface that’s the same, and maybe the first translation is one correct interpretation, but it’s still an interpretation and not necessarily the most “real” possible translation text. There are no 2nd meanings left to think about, what the words say is simple and clear, no 2 ways to read the same text. So the comfort from that text might be restricted to lesser situations also… maybe.
- When you’re reading the text instead of an interpretation of the text, you get to apply your mind and interpret it for yourself. I think interpretation of scripture is an important sign for christians because the Holy Spirit is the Counselor who leads us in truth. If we can’t understand the truth ourselves, we need to pray for wisdom not just rely on someone else’s understanding of truth… And meditating on an interpretation of the text is not the same as meditating on the text itself. There is so much depth in the words of the Bible that is lost in interpretation. *Some* is lost in translation, but that is a negligible loss - loss by interpretation is a more serious loss in my opinion.
I know lots of people read only paraphrased texts because literal ones are not too readable or something. I admit translations which are literal like Young’s Literal can be quite impossible to read through smoothly, and even the KJV gives people trouble because of the old english- but the ESV and other literal ones maybe even the Amplified and NASB etc (I’ve heard good things about them) are a good idea.
Compare Psalm 23.4 in
KJV:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.ESV:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.AMP:
Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.NLT:
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.MSG:
Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.
I’m not saying it’s a bad idea to have paraphrased Bibles. I think its a great idea to have them and I know many Christians who have come to Christ through paraphrased translations of the Bible, including me and my best friend. That is great. But there is a point where you graduate from feeding on other people’s thoughts to having your own thoughts, sometimes having different opinions to everybody else because you read something a different way from them. I like the NIV a lot but the ESV is my favourite version because I know when I’m meditating on ESV I’m pretty close to the real words of the real text and I think that has its advantages.
I don’t mean to offend anyone who reads only paraphrased Bibles, I don’t think that’s wrong, I don’t think you’re any less christian than people who read literal, but this is just my views on why literal works for me and paraphrase doesn’t always. Paraphrase is good sometimes especially for speed reading and to get an idea of the “story” so to speak, but not for serious reflection. If you disagree and want to point out an advantage of paraphrased Bibles, I’d seriously love to hear it because while I’m not a KJV-onlyist I have been labelled as a Literal-Translation-onlyist and that has some truth in it… hehe. I wouldn’t mind seeing the other side of the story 
Great explanation for using a word for word (literal) translation of the Bible!
Can you name some of the bibles that have been paraphrased? I’m really interested in finding out…thanks
I’m w/ you on literal trans. It’s why I like ESV. Easier for me to read than the KJV, but gives me the assurance I am reading what the orig text said rather than someone’s else interpretation… Thanks for sharing.
Thanks expositor and wordwelder
Amy, check out this link:
http://www.vecbs.org/society/bible.html
“formal equivalency” or “word-for-word” translation implies literal, while “dynamic equivalency” “functional equivalency” “thought-for-thought” translation implies paraphrased.
KJV, NASB, ESV are some versions which are very literal. Interpretations in the ESV is always mentioned in footnotes so you know when you’re reading an interpretation. Amplified is fairly literal but it has lots of brackets which is interpretation and commentary. The brackets try to help in understanding but the non-bracket text is fairly literal.
NIV tries to balance between literal and paraphrase. It’s not fully literal but in my opinion it’s good for speedreading and light reading. It tries not to unnecessarily over-translate which I find the NLT guilty of doing, and the Message Bible is the most paraphrased Bible I’ve ever read I can’t stand it actually. I find the Message language quite harsh and condemning instead of firm and judging which the literal Bible is.
In short-
Literal: KJV, ESV, NASB, Amplified minus brackets, a few others
Paraphrase: NIV (yep I’ll put it here but its the best paraphrase I think), NLT, TLB, The Message, and others.
If you want to know whether your printed Bible is literal or paraphrased, it should be mentioned in the foreword. Bibles usually write which texts they are translated from, and their approach to translation.
Hope that helps!
Love,
-RED
I’m with you, RED!!
For personal study I prefer literal translations.
However, when I’m conveying the message to a non-christian, new christian, or to kids, I often like to use a paraphase. It is often easier for them to understand, putting it in their language.
But for mature Christians and serious study, I agree the literal is by far the better way to go.
Anyhow, thanks for your post!
Blessings to you!!
I’m a huge believer in using literal, word for word translations. I’ve used the NASB for years because it’s probably the most literal translation of the minority text that’s out there.
Lately (the last two weeks), I’ve switched to the ESV. Still very literal, but in my mind a much more readable translation than the NASB.
I have memorized so much NIV that I can’t find anything in NASB. I use it for serious study and have bought a copy with HUGE margins for inductive study. (Kay Arthur has a great book for inductive Bible study technique…using the Bible to explain itself rather than letting others explian it for you as the primary study tool, until all those measure are exhausted before seeking commentary).
But, in a worship setting, or if I need to find a verse, I’ve read NIV since teen, and my NIV Study Bible Concordance is still THE BEST. I have been so temped to buy a new ESV, and almost bought a beautiful leather one last week it was so georgeous and thin…but their was like this kidnergartener concordance. When I’m down, I am SO reliant on my concordance! Of course, now I also have the computer, but if I’m out somewhere at church and need to find a verse fast to share with someone, I just have to have it.
I can usually give you the book, but the verses I rely on so much in Psalms and Isaiah, Jeremiah, minor prophets in counseling…I just cannot remember the refs as easily as some of the NT verses.
I do use The Message…namely when I need to laugh, and when I also need a kick in the tail. I do like it because I feel like it’s coffee talk. Like sitting around a table with a bunch of guys and girls talking about impressions of what was read. No…I don’t use it for study, but when I’m depressed, it just seems to wake my senses back up to emotions of joy and God’s heart for us. The Psalms are just a delight to me to read in it. I really catch God as my defender…all the while keeping ME in line!
Great post!
Okay, so it’s late and there are are like a zillion typos in there. Sorry RED!
Thats why I prefer to translate verbatim. Otherwise I translation is my interepretation, what the creator did not intend. And it is always the creator meaning which is to be born in mind.
Happy Holi!!
Thanks Jeanette, Hutch and Maggie!
JV, Happy Holi to you too, thanks for reading and stopping by! I have seen your translations of ghazals and other songs they are definitely the literal type. I remember one song you did, “kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayaal aata hai” and it was quite literal, almost amusingly literal sometimes- anyway I enjoy reading your translations keep going
Love,
-RED
I would never waste my time reading The Message nor would I rely upon it’s so-called “readability”. The Message subverts scripture consistently. This is not a good thing for any time, any place, nor any people - especially not for the unsaved. One example of many would be the differences found in Matt. 16:24, 25, 26.
In “The Message”, the passage reads, “Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?”
And so we understand from this passage that Jesus’ goal is for us to “find ourselves” We learn here that “SELF” is very important. We don’t want to “lose SELF”, we want to “find SELF, our true SELF”. However, when you read the passage in a true translation of God’s word, the passage takes on a completely different meaning.
The KJV says, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
In the translation, the goal seems to be “following Jesus” not “finding our true self”. We are directed to follow Jesus at the expense of our own earthly lives. In the translation, a distinction is made between our life on earth and our eternal life (gain the world = lose soul).
This attitude of being willing to lay down one’s own life for Jesus’ sake is reflected elsewhere in scripture in such passages as Jonn 10:5 (Jesus laid down His life for the sheep), John 13:37,38 (Peter said he so loved the Lord that he would lay down his life for His sake, but the Lord said that Peter would deny Him before the cock crowed three times), John 15:13 and I John 3:16 (an example of great love is the willingness to lay down one’s own life). Nowhere in a true translation of the Bible do we find that foreign attitude of “SELF FIRST”.
If heresy is to be brought into the body of Christ secretly as the word says (2 Peter 2:1), then I don’t think Christians should tolerate or support paraphrases at all. A man’s interpretation of God’s word is fine when clearly presented as a teaching’ but through paraphrases, heresy is too often presented as the unbiased biblical truth. I have encountered many who bring “The Message” to bible study with them because they believe that this corrupted version of God’s word is truly a Bible. It’s the only so-called Bible they own.
Well, as a speaker of 4 different languages (English, Cantonese, Mandarin and Japanese) . I’d say the message is a good tool for anyone serious in studying the Bible. The literal translation (for example the “take up your cross and follow me” stated above) basically means to stop following your self and follow Jesus. So the message used along side a more literal translation helps put it into context and makes understanding easier.
Generally I agree with what most people said. But I see the Message as more a commentary on the Bible than a translation. A tool to be used to get a fresh perspective.
I mentioned I could speak those other languages, because when you learn more than one language, you understand there is always more than one way to translate a sentence, phrase or even a single word. There can be no true literal translation. If you REALLY want to learn it, you’d better go and learn Hebrew and Ancient Greek (maybe some Latin for fun).
For me. Tools like the Message combined with more literal translations (I like the NIV because it is translated in a logical way - totally literal translations don’t take into account the differences in sentence structure etc. from English to Greek or Hebrew).
I also don’t agree totally with an above statement along the lines of “more mature Christians should not read a paraphrased Bible”. At our Church (in Hong Kong) there is a (white) guy who is a professor of Chinese and Linguists at the University of Hong Kong. About 2 weeks ago he spoke at Church and… yep, quoted from the message. Maybe this was for the immature Christians in the audience.
Basically, my point is:
Translations can never be truly literal.
The Message etc. is a great tool along with other versions of the Bible.
Used carefully and it’s GREAT!
Oh and the King James Bible is NOT Old English. No one even knows how to pronounce the words in Old English anymore (I believe it is Middle English). Also more modern versions are better because back when the KJV was written, they understood less about Greek/Hebrew grammar than they do now, they didn’t have access to some manuscripts modern translators do, plus it is a half dead version of English. - Sorry Grandpa, it’s true.
I believe God intended the Bible to be read. It is Him talking to us. I believe it is humans not God who gets hooked up on minor differences in the Bible translations. As long as the point gets across, that’s good.
If you want to really understand the Bible, get a Children’s Bible.
I think sometimes people read too much into texts when the message is really as simple as a Children’s Bible. I mean, Jesus said even a Child can understand it - AND he taught in parables (sorta like Children’s Stories don’t you think.
Occam’s razor applies according to Jesus himself:
Matthew 18:3:
3And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 11:25
25At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
Matthew 19:13-14
13Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
14Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
He even called us Children of God
So relax dudes.
Just so you children know, EVERY Bible is paraphrased unless it is in it’s original greek and hebrew text respectively! Unless you read hebrew or greek bibles, YOU are NOT a LITERAL-translation Bible reader as someone so ignorantly put! But should it matter? God said obedience is better than sacrifice. He doesn’t care if you eat meat or are a vegetarian. So, do you simpletons think he cares which paraphrase you read?
And now the bickering about who is smarter than everybody else. I am a genius (IQ 180+), so does that give me the right to refer to anybody as ignorant or a child? Or perhaps I should nit-pick the few erroneous points I find in a couple of the “scholarly” articles put forth by intellectual elite who have written here? Nope, don’t think so. Besides, there is always somebody smarter out there in the wings just waiting to be called out. Somebody with a slightly better understanding who will point out my own errors.
Are we not talking about reading the Bible here? What is it the Bible says about love? Also does the Bible not say something about esteeming others more highly than our own selves?
Anyway, back on point….
Somebody made the comment about using paraphrases like “The Message” very “carefully”. Hmmmm….should we be reading a paraphrase that has to be treated with such care? Just about every time I pick up “The Message” or see a verse quoted from it I have to go look up the verse in a different Bible because something does not seem right. Go to a regular translation and wow, “The Message” was not correct. Often entire concepts are changed or even discarded by this rather inaccurate paraphrase. I understand the concept of a paraphrase is not to mimic word-for-word. But a good paraphrase is supposed to maintain the original meaning. I suppose “The Message” could have its uses, but if a paraphrase is desired I suggest a somewhat more accurate rendering.
God certainly can and will use any part of His word to touch people. This is a tribute to God though — not a tribute to the tool He chose to use.
I say this because there certainly are some versions of “The Bible” that we should reject rather than embracing as “It’s all the Bible”. As an extreme example, I would point out “The New World Translation” used by Jehovah’s Witness / Watchtower Society.
Paraphrases in general I don’t find to be very useful, but I do tend to read commentaries quite often when thinking about a difficult passage — or if I want a viewpoint that I may have missed. I suppose a good paraphrase could be used in a similar fashion. Again, in addition to a few good translations and commentaries rather than as a substitute.
I also disagree about a paraphrase being for “new” Christians and a translation something to graduate to. Seems like maybe it should be the other way around. New Christians are still developing knowledge and understanding, and are grounding themselves in truth. Truth that is most necessary to developing proper beliefs in a world so full of twisted beliefs.
I know this is a whole different conversation, but perhaps the modern search for something “easier to read”, “easier to understand”, “more relevant”, etc. is behind much of the bad doctrine and ineptness that plagues our Churches. Paraphrases seem to fit into this modern-day search for something different and easier. I am often amazed when I have conversations with fellow Christians and discover they have questions about things that are clearly spelled out in the Bible. I am not talking about new Christians, but people who came to Christ years ago! I have to wonder what they are reading instead of the Bible during their devotional times.