Translation is not just a swap of words; it is an act of theology
In short: When we translate the Bible, we aren't just moving words from one language to another. We are navigating a minefield of potential distortions and ideological appropriations. To translate well is to engage in a sophisticated theological act that shapes how we imagine and act in the modern world.
Professor David Ford explores the hermeneutics of Bible translation, emphasizing that the process involves grappling with the 'superabundant meaning' of the text. He argues that translation is a vital tool for generating contemporary understanding, but warns that it is also susceptible to 'terrible abuses.' These include distortions, manipulations, and ideological appropriations that can corrupt the original intent of the scripture. Ford distinguishes between two primary modes of engaging with the text: scholarship and hermeneutics. Scholarship functions as an 'archaeology of the text,' seeking to uncover its original meaning and historical context. In contrast, hermeneutics focuses on the text's ongoing meaning across different centuries and contexts. A robust approach to translation requires balancing these two—respecting the linguistic scholarship of Hebrew and Greek while remaining sensitive to how the text speaks to the present.
This work is situated within a long tradition of academic excellence. For instance, King Henry VIII founded the Regius Chair of Divinity in 1540, alongside chairs for Hebrew and Greek, to ensure sound translation into English. Today, this legacy continues at institutions like Gresham College, which has provided free public lectures since 1597. By treating translation as a dynamic, ongoing process rather than a static finished product, scholars aim to protect the text from corruption while making its wisdom accessible to the modern imagination.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Ongoing Translations of the Bible: Ancient and Modern - David Ford
- Also: Part Three: Ancient and Modern - Ongoing Translations of the Bible
- Also: cambridge.academia.edu — David Ford - Profile on Academia.edu
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