Consistency Rate of Word Choices
Ideally, each word (or more precisely each distinctive sense of a word) in the source text corresponds to a unique word in the target text, and each target word corresponds to a unique source word. While this is impossible in actual practice,as exact lexical equivalence between languages is rare, the degree to which the target text approximates this isomorphism is an indication of how consistent the translation is across the whole Bible and how much the translators have tried to express the original text literally.This is done by aggregating all the correspondences found in the reverse interlinear data and calculating the overall ratio of one-to-one mapping.
Consistency Rate of Word Choices Version Score
KJV 73.48%
NASB 70.70%
NKJV 69.52%
ESV 66.89%
NRSV 62.88%
CSB 59.25%
NET 57.06%
NIV 54.19%
NLT 47.25
With this analysis we see the scatter gun approach where consistency is increasingly given lip service, but willy nilly choices are increasingly on display. Overall the NIV is less consistent that the NASB, NKJV, and just about everybody else other than the NLT. Go figure
Candor requires mention that the NIV scored about 7% better than the NASB in readability, while scoring about 14% below the NASB in literalness.
The dubious assertion of the study is it is difficult to balance those two goals. My view is that our translations fall short because of under utilization of computer optimization programs.
Some Comparisons of our English Translations.
Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by Van, Dec 6, 2022.
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Martin Marprelate Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
It is a mistake to suppose that a Greek word can always be translated by one English word. Greek has a much smaller vocabulary than English, so the same Greek word often has a variety of meanings.
To take just one word, teleo is translated as 'finish' in John 19:30. 100 years ago, a liberal theologian suggested that this meant that Jesus realised that God wasn't going to rescue Him and that His whole ministry had been mistaken. However, teleo is translated as 'perform' in Luke 2:39, 'accomplish' in Luke 22:37; John 19:28, and perhaps most significantly, 'pay' in Matthew 17:24. All of these meanings are relevant to John 19:30.
Also, the noun, teleios, frequently translated 'perfect,' in the KJV, would often be better rendered as 'mature.' as in Ephesians 4:13, or 'complete,' which the KJV does not use. In Hebrews 5:14, teleios is translated as 'of full age' which is obviously better than 'perfect.' but maybe not as good as 'mature.' -
So rather than address consistent translation of the same word or phrase meaning, it is suggested the intended meaning for "teleo is best translated using several English words. Hogwash.
Consider Luke 2:39 (NASB)
And when His parents had completed everything in accordance with the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.
The meanings as used in scripture fall easily into three categories. To complete or finish something, to perform or carry out something, and to pay something. Thus the verb can be translated as finish, perform or pay. This provides a consistent translation of "teleo" and avoids hiding its meaning under a word salad.
Now consider John 19:30: (NASB)
Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
His mission completed, He said it is finished. Does anyone want "It is performed or It is carried out, or It is accomplished? -
Martin Marprelate Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Was the OP quoted in post #2? Nope!
Was Van's name even mentioned? Nope!
Does Van have hyper-sensitivity problem? Yep!
Also, IMO it would be good to see 'it is paid,' not as the text, but as a marginal reading, since that is within the semantic range, and our Surety had paid in full the debt His people owed. -
Just because "it is finished" could be misconstrued, does not alter the fact "accomplished" does misconstrue the message.
Last point, about 6 versions go with "accomplished" for Luke 22:37, but about 30 go with "finished."
No English translation I looked at (about 40 in all) had "paid" at Luke 22:37. This effort to read into the text your mistaken doctrines demonstrates why consistent choices in translation result in a better understanding of God's intended message. -
RipponRedeaux Well-Known Member
You need to document your source, because you didn't come up with this yourself. You need to identify the author of the study.
In addition, this topic is in the wrong forum. It obviously needs to be in the Bible Translation forum. -
Pay no attention to the posters advocating inconsistent translation choices by way of a smoke screen of nit picks.
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RipponRedeaux Well-Known Member
Van, who wrote the study/ You didn't name the source; otherwise you are showing your lack of integrity as you have in the past. What harm can befall you by being honest?
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Thread moved to the Bible Translation forum. Feel free to comment on the content/aim of this thread. Notified Van and left "redirect" for a week.
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Martin Marprelate Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
'Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements [NKJV margin, 'certificate of debt'] that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.' And on it is stamped tetelestai, 'Paid in full!' So when we pray, "Forgive us our debts" (Matthew 6:12) we know that God will hear us because the Lord Jesus Christ has already settled them.
So while I am not suggesting that 'it is paid' should be in the main text of Bible translations of John 19:30, I do think it should be given in the margin to show that it is a legitimate rendering. -
http://csbible.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Quantitative-Translation-Evaluation-by-GBI.pdf -
2) Something accomplished or performed is not the idea, but rather something completed or finished. Everything entailed had been completed rather than one of the things accomplished. -
It is not just Liddell & Scott that testify to τελέω being used to pay off debt, taxes or a transaction. BDAG, EDNT, AMG, Barclay and the TDNT also speak of this.
Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk -
Martin Marprelate Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Why do you wish to hide from the readers of your fantasy Bible translation the fact that teleo can mean 'pay'? -
2) The view that "finished" is the intended meaning is held by the vast majority of published English version translation teams. -
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Martin Marprelate Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Martin Marprelate Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
What I accused you of was wishing to hide it from others in your fantasy translation. -
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