Translation Philosophy

This is an interesting essay, but Plato's Republic and the Bible are miles apart in meaning and in translation possibilities.

First of all, Bloom was no doubt intending to counter the "domesticizing" tendency of translations of ancient documents up until that time, in which the ancient document was updated to modern times and morality. Thus, for example, the terrible immorality of the Roman Empire is impossible to understand without reading the originals. However, there is no need for a Bible translator to "domesticize" the Bible and adapt it to the modern reader (ala reader response theory).

Secondly, it is impossible to fully understand the Bible while translating it. God's Book is too deep and amazing for one person to grasp it all. Therefore, the Bible translator often must simply preserve the ambiguity and translate as best as he or she can.

Note: If someone wishes to ansswer this, please be patient, since I may not reply right away. I'm in an Internet cafe (be still my beating heart) since we just moved into an apartment (strong yen, weak dollar, less money in the missionary's pocket), and we can't get Internet access for another 10 days or so.

 

Excellent statement. Sorry to hear about your internet access difficulties.

...Bob