Is a LITERAL translation of the Bible inherently superior to other translations in any way? Why or why not?

Question

Indeed, how would one DEFINE a "more literal translation"?

Answer 1

No, it's inherently more idiotic.

Answer 2

I wouldn't say that a literal translation is superior, so to speak. It is, however, more accurate. Literal Translations were the first translations.

There are three types of translations:

Literal (near original version)

Ex: King James Version

Dynamic (receptor language translation-from literal into plain english)

Ex: New International Version

Loose (paraphrasing verses)

Ex: The Message (which is actually only one man putting the Bible into his own words-not very trustworthy)



Dynamic and loose are both translations by people into different languages. The literal was a translation agreed upon by a committee.



Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Major conceptual error.

Some "Literal Translations" of the Bible have been made, largely as academic stunts: Hebrew translated literally into English reads like "Tarzan Speak" while Greek resembles the syntax used by Yoda.



Literal vs, Dynamic refers to how ancient and obsolete idioms are rendered, not how the text itself is: Translators must convert the original into sensible sentences in standard grammar and syntax, This means writing sentences that do not correspond one-to-one with the original.

Answer 4

I know Greek, and if you translated Greek "exactly literally", you wouldn't understand it.



Greek has a middle voice, which English lacks (English only has active and passive voices). Greek lacks an indefinite article ("a"/"an" in English), so it has to be inserted at times. There's also more usage of participles in Greek, many of which have to be re-written to make any sense in English.

Answer 5

Indeed - How? There is no such thing as a perfect translation, literal or not. Take your pick.

Answer 6

You mean interpretation. And I believe it is important to read the Scriptures in the same way they were written. Literal interpretation should be looked at first, unless it is clearly symbolic.

Answer 7

Words change over time and the culture is in a different setting.

Answer 8

Yes. The closest to the original is the best.

Answer 9

The septuagent is the best translation of the greek. KJV was translated directly from that.

Answer 10

If it's too literal, you wouldn't understand it.