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NIV2011 - Transparency?

Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by TomVols, May 27, 2010.

  1. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    One of the stated goals of the NIV 2011 revision was transparency, something sorely lacking in the TNIV process.

    During a recent conversation this topic came up: We're around 9 months into the process. Do you believe that Biblica and the CBT has lived up to this promise of transparency? Why or why not?
     
  2. jaigner

    jaigner Active Member

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    To be honest, I haven't read much of anything about it, except for the expected completion date. But maybe I've just been out of the loop.

    Of course, I think the TNIV committee did a fantastic job and I don't really worry about all the allegations surrounding them. Hopefully, the new NIV will also be a faithful representation.
     
  3. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    I don't know how much transparency is necessary in a translation process. Though I consider projects like the NET Bible and see an open process as opposed the TNIV which I perceive to be more closed. Yet I wonder how truly open you can be without violating the principles and accepted practices of translation when they are constantly challenged by well-meaning but mislead people.

    Its sort of like Congress on a bill, there are certain portions that need to open and feedback is important, but at some aspects we don't need constant prodding by people with agendas or rabbit-trail creating points. Maybe that is a bad example, I dunno.

    I know I've been asked at multiple meetings whether or not I want to give feedback and have had an opportunity to sit, listen, and interact with several of the chief editors of the translation committee and process. But they've been asking everyone in these societies I'm part of to be part of the process. My specialty, academia wise, isn't biblical hermeneutics/theology so I can only add so much.

    That said the committee does seem to hear from people about the translation. I don't use the NIV, or the TNIV, much because too often I don't like their decisions about important parts of the text. While the text is good and faithful, it isn't something I am going to lose sleep or waste keystrokes over.

    But maybe this gets to the root of the thing. How much transparency is necessary in Bible translation?

    I mean would we seriously want (for example) everyone on BB to have an equal voice in developing a translation? I think given our experience here we can agree that not everyone has the same tools in approaching exegesis/theology/hermeneutics/biblical theology as others. That isn't a bad thing, but we if my car is busted up I'm not going to take the insight of a ditch digger on the same level as a certified mechanic for my brand. :)
     
  4. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    Yes, kind of like that old saying about how people really don't want to know how sausage is made.
     
  5. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    ???. I guess you are making a stab at an underhanded point Jerome.
     
  6. go2church

    go2church Active Member
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    What is there to be transparent about. We can know who the members of the committee are and maybe even what parts they are working on, but right now it is in process. I for one wouldn't one to interfered with while working on something - critique is fine but at least wait until I am finished.
     
  7. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    Yeah, I don't get it. Do you want a press release after each book of the canon has been checked or something?! Has any translation aside from the NET Bible been under such scrunity?

    If anyone is really interested, just email some of the translators. But they probably can't tell you that much anyway. The translators aren't devoting their full-time efforts to the project. Perhaps this summer they will have a solid block of time to concentrate on the 2011 NIV.
     
  8. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    By transparency do they mean having the deliberations or political processes being open, or do they mean transparency as a function of the translation process as discussed by translation theory scholars?
     
  9. mcdirector

    mcdirector Active Member

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    Personally, I think they mean better marketing. It wasn't so hot with the TNIV.
     
  10. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Well, if their main goal is to actually sell their translation....:smilewinkgrin:
     
  11. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    You mean Zondervan, and their parent company Newscorp, might have something in mind other than providing a biblical faithful, Gospel centered translation to the masses? (not saying that these other things aren't part of the process...just seems to be a lot of money in Bibles...)
     
  12. go2church

    go2church Active Member
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    What hurt the TNIV was the continued publishing of the NIV. Yes, publishers are a for profit business, no problem unless you expect the translators to work for free which of course reminds us of the old adage - you get what you pay for. It's the exact same reason any publisher publishes anything, bibles included.
     
  13. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    What's wrong with translating for free? Missionary translators generally do so, as do national translators. Do you think William Carey or Adoniram Judson or Karl Gutzlaff ever got paid for their Bible translations? If "you get what you pay for" applies to Bible translation, then no translation not done by Americans or Europeans is worth anything. Most countries don't have the Christian population America has to support translations for profit.
     
  14. go2church

    go2church Active Member
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    We are talking about an American translation, therefore my comments are confined to the situation here and in American, you get what you pay for, even in bible translation.

    I am well aware of the efforts of many overseas to get the bible into languages without a translation. In fact this year we supported a group that is creating an audio bible to be listened to for people groups that do not read.
     
  15. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    All righty, I understand.
     
  16. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    I intentionally was vague because that came up in our discussion.

    I think at the outset, Dr. Moo was very open. Aside from some Q & A which may or may not be updated regularly, and the announcement from Dr. Mounce that he is now part of the CBT, there hasn't been much since last fall. I don't know that it's proper to expect much. Mounce stated on his blog that they will meet later on this Summer, giving rise to the TNIV people hoping that they'll rubber stamp it as the new NIV in the TNIVer blogs I've seen.

    They've handled this 100 times better than they handled the TNIV debacle, and I've yet to see anything to make me think they've pulled the curtains. The public does not need to be involved in how to translate Gal 2:16, for instance, but there does need to be scholarly input from those disenfranchised by the TNIV debacle.

    There...I think I've offended the pro TNIV and anti TNIV camps so my work here is done. :laugh:
     
  17. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Veeeery interesting. I hope they publish details about their translation methodology as part of all this openness. And we'll see what the finished product is like someday.
    And skillfully done! :laugh:
     
  18. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    I do my best, friend! :tongue3:
     
  19. go2church

    go2church Active Member
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    Equal opportunity, nice work
     
  20. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    I don't understand. What is this referring to? :confused:
     
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