I've been looking at the Central Asian Russian translation of Scripture (CARS). As noted in the previous post, I've noted some (perhaps) minor issues with the translation.
Here's a more blatant, intentional change in the text: John 10, particularly verses 24, 31, 33. The Greek clearly says "Jews" are speaking with and are angry with Jesus in these verses. Every translation I can find reads "the Jews."
CARS replaces "Jews" with "the people," or "they."
I can guess why they would do that: Muslims like to blame the death of Jesus on the Jews (and many believe Jesus will return and destroy them in the last days). Really, we all crucified Christ because we have all sinned.
But... the Greek as original as we can get, right? The Greek clearly says "Jews." So, does replacing an unmistakable word like "Jews" with another word bother anyone else but me?
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2 comments:
I agree the fact that it says "Jews" communicates something about the context of the situation that "the people" does not communicate. At the same time there are numerous instances in your English text where the word "Gentiles" or "Greeks" does not appear in the Greek text, however, this is done when the text implies "Gentiles" and the original audience would understand it to refer to the "Gentiles." The exclusion of "Jews" results in ambiguity the inclusion of "Gentiles" brings something implied in the Greek text to light.
As far as you e-mail about the use of “The Most High” rather than God, I do not see a problem with that, as long as it communicates well in the receptor culture. After all, we call God “God” and not Theos, Kurios, or Despotes. My main concern on this point would be the attributes attributed to “The Most High.” I would definitely shy away from using Allah or some other culturally charged word and pick something like “The Most High” where you can establish a biblical definition.
Thanks for the comment. I don't have a problem with "most high" or changing names either.
I understand the desire for the editors to desire cultural and political sensitivity, but the Word of God is the Word of God. If it says "Jews," then it says "Jews." No need to change it for fear of offending, or for fear of that passage being misapplied for anti-semitism (as it has been over the centuries).
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