Bible Translation and Theology

[John of Japan]

How important for a Bible translator is it to know theology? Can one be a good translator with just knowing some linguistics and somewhat of the biblical languages?

About the translators with Wycliffe, D. A. Carson wrote:
"I am a huge admirer of their work, some of it undertaken in highly challenging circumstances. Some of [the translators] are linguistically well trained. But I have to say that rather few of them are trained in exegesis, biblical theology, or systematic theology. Very few of them have an MDiv, let alone more advanced training. With rare exceptions, I have not found them to be deep readers of Scripture, with the result that their approaches to translation challenges tend to be axiomatic. No one can be an expert in everything, of course--but if I have any hope for this book [i.e. Jesus: The Son of God], it is that some of these diligent and learned workers will begin to see the importance for Bible translation of the considerations I am advancing here, and that more of them will pursue advanced theological training as part of their preparation for a life in translation." From Jesus the Son of God, 107-108, quoted in Biblical Missions, ed. by Mark Tatlock and Chris Burnett, 580.

 

[John of Japan]

Here's an essay that highlights this issue: “Son of God” Unresolved: Ten Years After a Landmark Petition, Translators Continue to Remove "Son of God" and Insert Islamic Teaching into New Translations - Biblical Missiology

 

[JonC]

I am not sure how important it is (or, more precisely, how much education should be dedicated to theology).

I guess it depends on whether we are talking one person trying to translate the Bible (which would require extensive theology, history, and anthropological studies in addition to being an expert in the source and target languages) or if it is a team.

Generally speaking (me being the General...i.e., from my experience) if you obtain a theology degree you have studied Hebrew, Greek, probably German, exegesis,and Church history at a minimum. But your focus would be theology and you would probably not be an expert in the biblical languages.

I assume (right or wrong) that a translator would have a good theological foundation, but perhaps also benefit from the input of theologians.

I think this true in any field. A neurologist has some training that could help identify a problematic virus but a virologist would probably be better suited for the task.