Unlike most parts of the world, we in
English-speaking countries have a wealth of Bibles. The most modern
are the result of the establishment of translation from ancient
texts as a sophisticated and precise process, recent significant
archaeological discoveries, and a commitment to the faithful
communication of the Bible's message. Different principles of
translation are used and, varying levels of language aimed for. In
this summary two pairs of technical terms describe the Bibles and
Testaments featured.
Common language translations are translations,
which use language that can be understood by almost all
mother-tongue speakers.
Literary language translations have a higher
language level, which can best be understood by those with a higher
academic background.
Dynamic equivalence translations are
translations which aim to reproduce the meaning of the original text
as closely as possible, even where this means changing the
grammatical form.
Formal correspondence translations are those
which follow the grammatical form of the original texts as closely
as possible, as well as conveying the meaning.
AUTHORIZED
VERSION
The AUTHORIZED VERSION (KING JAMES BIBLE) is
an indispensable classic which has left permanent marks on the
English language and its literature. When first published in 1611,
its language was already rather archaic. It was largely a revision
of earlier works by William Tyndale and others.
NEW KING JAMES
The NEW KING JAMES BIBLE or REVISED AUTHORIZED
VERSION is a major revision of the King James or Authorized Version,
and was published in 1982.The translation, a best seller in the USA,
aims to preserve the historic dignity of the 1611 text, but updates
all that is no longer easily understood. The sequence and identity
of words, phrases, and clauses are designed to conform to the AV.
The translation of the New Testament usually follows the so-called
Majority Text but variants are given in footnotes.
GOOD NEWS BIBLE
The GOOD NEWS BIBLE (TODAY'S ENGLISH VERSION)
is the most widely recognized and accepted common language, dynamic
equivalence translation of the Bible in English. The translation is
the work of six American scholars, assisted by a panel of
specialists, using the best Hebrew and Greek texts, and the whole
Bible has been adapted for British usage. It was first published in
1976 and the second edition was launched in 1994. The Good News
Bible has an easy to read style, yet the translation is based on
sound principles and is suitable for devotional reading, serious
study and liturgical use.
NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION
The NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION (NRSV) is an
extensive revision of the Revised Standard Version, continuing the
tradition of the RSV, which first appeared in 1952. NRSV, like the
Revised English Bible, takes into account more recently discovered
Hebrew manuscripts from Qumran, and follows more recently published
editions of the Hebrew and Greek texts. The language has been
brought more up to date, notably by the use of the inclusive
language and the exclusion of 'thees and thous'.
NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE
The NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE is a revision
of the American Standard Version of 1901 and is thus a formal
correspondence translation. The translators' primary purpose is to
adhere as closely as possible to the form of the original languages.
They also aim to use clear, contemporary English, but provide more
literal renderings in the footnotes. The translation was published
in 1963. The updated edition was published in 1997.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
An interdenominational team of more than one
hundred English-speaking scholars from around the world translated
the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, thus aiming to avoid sectarian bias
in the work. It is more than a word for word, formal correspondence
translation, idiomatic but not idiosyncratic in style, and it is
based on the best Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts. The New
International Version is designed to have clarity and literary
quality and to be suitable for public and private reading, teaching,
memorizing and liturgical use. It was published in 1978. All
editions have section headings, and footnotes giving alternative
readings and translations. More recently an ‘inclusive language’
edition has been published
NEW LIVING
TRANSLATION
The New Living Translation is an increasingly
popular translation, which uses words and phrases in common use
today. The aim of this dynamic equivalence translation is to
'enhance the power and clarity of the Living Bible' and create a
'translation as good for study as it is for devotional reading'.
This thought-for-thought translation is both reliable and eminently
readable, giving priority to meaning rather than word translation.
CONTEMPORARY
ENGLISH VERSION
The Contemporary English Version (CEV) has
been prepared to incorporate the needs of those who hear the Bible,
rather than read it for themselves. While remaining entirely
faithful to the original Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic languages of the
Scriptures, the CEV is written in such a way that people of all ages
and abilities can read and understand the meaning of the text.
Published in 1995.
THE AMPLIFIED
BIBLE
The Amplified Bible is a popular translation
used to understand the hidden meaning of Greek and Hebrew words.
Published in 1964 and updated in 1987, the Amplified Bible is
largely the work of France E Siewert. Priority has been given to
word translation plus additional amplification of word meanings in a
system of brackets and parentheses.
NEW CENTURY
VERSION
The First concern of the NEW CENTURY VERSION
is that the translation be faithful to the manuscripts in the
original languages. The translation team composed of the World Bible
Translation Center and fifty additional highly qualified and
experienced Bible scholars and translators. The second concern was
to make the language clear enough for all people to read the Bible
and understand it for themselves. Every attempt has been made to
maintain proper English style, while clarifying concepts and
communication.
