Page 191 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

DYNAMIC EQUIVALENCY

language, in this context, refers to the attempt of the THE PRINCIPLES OF DYNAMIC EQUIVALENCY
translators to put the Bible into that range of the Before we give you a glimpse of just how influential
receptor language which is common both to the highly the method of dynamic equivalency has become in
educated and to the uneducated. recent years, we will highlight some of the key
A translator who produced a common language principles involved. These are taken directly from the
edition of the Bengali Bible describes this method: writings of its chief promoters. First, though, we must
“It became clear that what we needed to produce was note a couple of important points:
a common language translation,” using the colloquial First, there is some variation in the degree to which
form of Bengali and the type of language common to translators follow these principles. Some translators
the people. We wanted our translation to be accessible who follow dynamic equivalency are freer than others in
to uneducated readers and yet acceptable to the cutting themselves loose from the words and form of the
educated. This meant avoiding forms used only in the original text. The difference, though, is only that of
various local dialects of Bengali, and also avoiding
technical and high level language used only by degree; the principles remain the same.
educated people as well as vulgar language used Secondly, various teachers of dynamic equivalency
mainly by the uneducated. We had to strive for the use different expressions in defining their method. Some
area of overlap in the language spoken by all prefer idiomatic translation; others prefer common
Bengalees” (Lynn Silvernale, By the Word, p. 27). language. Even so, all or almost all of the following
Common language versions, then, aim to put the principles, variously stated, will find a place in any
Bible into the mid-level range of the receptor language, course on dynamic equivalency translation.
those words and forms which are common both to the Thirdly, these principles are interconnected and
highly educated and to the uneducated. In practice, this overlap one another. We have broken them down this
means that the literary level of the particular people way for the purpose of clarifying just what dynamic
who speak the language of the new Bible determines equivalency translation is.
that Bible’s language level. A common language version Dynamic equivalency aims to translate thoughts rather
produced for a highly educated people such as the than words. This principle is seen in the description by
German people will use a language level much higher Kenneth Taylor of his method of paraphrase translation:
than a common language version intended for people
who are largely illiterate. The Thai common language “We take the original thought and convert it into the
version, for example, aimed for the fourth grade level. language of today. … We can be much more accurate
than the verbal translation” (Interview with J.L. Fear,
The Dutch easy-to-read version produced by the Evangelism Today, Dec. 1972).
Netherlands Bible Society was aimed at children 8-12 The American Bible Society’s Contemporary English
years old (The Bible Translator, United Bible Societies, Version was produced by the dynamic equivalency
October 1987, pp. 421-422). method. Consider:
Herein is a great danger and error. It might be “The Contemporary English Version differs from other
possible for an acceptable translation of the Bible to be translations in that it is not a word-for-word and
made in the common language of an educated people, sequence-by-sequence rendering which reproduces the
since the common language of such people might be syntax of the original texts,” explained Dr. Burke.
high enough to do justice to the original text of “Instead, it is an idea-by-idea translation, arranging the
Scripture. When an attempt is made, though, to create a Bible’s text in ways understandable to today’s reader of
Bible in the common language of an illiterate people, English” (Record, American Bible Society, June-July
the translators are forced to make drastic departures 1991, pp. 3-6).
from the original text. The Bible was not written in Something needs to be pointed out here. Those who
language equal to that of a person who is only use the method of dynamic equivalency claim to be
moderately or barely literate, and it is not therefore aiming for a transfer of the same MEANING from the
possible to create a version of the Bible in such a low original to the receptor language. They say the original
level of language without making unacceptable changes words and form are important only as a vehicle for the
in God’s Word. meaning; therefore, it is the meaning alone which is
We will hasten to add that the common language truly important in the translation. The problem is that
versions being produced today are not acceptable and when we examine the dynamic equivalency or common
accurate translations in any language. This is because language versions, invariably it is seen that the meaning
there is much more to the method of common language has been changed as well as the form and words.
translation than the simple goal of reaching a certain A study of such popular English dynamic equivalency
literary level. We will describe this more carefully in the versions as the Good News Bible and the Living Bible
following section. proves this. Not only have the translators of these

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 191