Translate this!

You wanna know the most striking thing I've learned in the last month? Well, you're still reading so either you have problems with compulsion or you're at least curious.

When you think about translating any speech or text from another language, what is the purpose of the translation? (I hope my linguist sister gets this one.) Well, as far as I know, the purpose of translation is to bring the meaning (there's the word) from the original language and make it clear (and hopefully natural) in the receptor language. That sound about right? Hope so.

Okay, let's get spiritual. Sorta. Why do we care so much about the meaning (and not really the form) when it comes to all translation except one type? Good question. When you think about anything but biblical translation clear meaning is the primary qualification for a good translation. Then, I propose, what is the word of his power? When you think of two women grinding do you assume some suggestive dance (or if you're Joe something much more graphic) as opposed to grinding some kind of grain? When was the last time you used the word expiate or propitiate in your every day language? If I ever met a pregnant woman outside of a church setting, would I even consider referring to her as being with child? When talking about fellow believers do you always feel compelled to call them brothers (or rock it old school with "brethren"), even if you're referring to both genders? I know what justification means (or at least I think so), but why must a new believer know what that word means when they (inclusive language, here we go) are reading through Paul's epistle to the Romans for the first time?

When it comes to the Bible, why must we use "expired" language. The archaic words and "dead metaphors" that we still see in some modern translations have passed their expiration dates decades, centuries, and even millenia ago. Why must we use a word of an obscure nature? Why must we use an idiom that has never been a part of our language to describe a concept that we can describe with concrete or idiomatic English?

Is an English Bible translation really a better one if it reflects the Greek form more than being clear in our language? If it weren't for the Bible being our sacred text, we would all probably have the same answer to that question. Meaning is the answer to all interpretation. Let's get the meaning straight, boys and girls. (Uh oh, I just used gender inclusive speech again!)

There's my rant. Please enjoy.