The Joy of Translation

There is a particular joy to translation. It is a wonderful experience to translate an ancient text, in an ancient language, into English. You won't really understand exactly what it feels like unless you've actually done it. There is an incredible sense of accomplishment and fulfilment. This is all the more so when you're translating texts that have a great value to you. In my case, the New Testament.

The thing about translation is that it is a slow process. The pace forces you to look at every word, every construction. It forces you to really--truly--read the text. When you spend an hour on a single paragraph, every word has so much power - so much meaning. All of this is lost when you're speed reading through an NIV Bible. I say again: there is a particular joy to translation.

But, alas, reading closely a text with deep meaning has it's own set of challenges. Try spending hours upon hours translating the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5ff.). Try to work your way through the radical way of life that Jesus proposes, every sentence pounding away at you. Just try, I dare you. See how far you get before the you can't bear your own shortcomings any longer; see if you can even make it to: therefore you shall be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect.

Yes, there is a particular joy to translation.

And, to steal a metaphor, it is double sided.

Grace and peace to you all. It's a rough time of the year,
Kev