Translation is never a purely mechanical act; it involves interpretation, context, and cultural nuance. This is especially true when dealing with religious texts, where language is often layered with historical, theological, and doctrinal meanings. The subjectivity in translating religious texts arises due to differences in linguistic structures, theological perspectives, cultural backgrounds, and even the personal beliefs of the translator.
I do not believe that subjectivity in translation can be totally avoided. It should be able to be reduced to the degree that one is aware of their own subjective biases and consciously avoided, but given that no one is fully aware of all their biases, I do not believe that it can be totally avoided.
Avoiding subjectivity in translating religious texts requires a balance of linguistic accuracy, historical context, and theological neutrality. Here are key approaches:
References:
- Beekman, J., & Callow, J. (1974). Translating the Word of God.
- Metzger, B. M. (1992). The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration.
- Nida, E. A., & Taber, C. R. (1982). The Theory and Practice of Translation.
- Silva, M. (1990). Biblical Words and Their Meaning: An Introduction to Lexical Semantics.
- Kraft, R. A., & Kroeger, C. C. (1994). Translating Theology into the Modern World.
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- Science method