Tuesday, August 30, 2005
From Biblical Hebrew to Mandarin Chinese
Two news items on biblical translation:
Westminster Hebrew Institute partners with Asia Bible Society
In 2004, the Westminster Hebrew Institute was approached by the Asia Bible Society (ABS) for technical assistance with a new Bible translation into Mandarin Chinese. Over the summer, Institute personnel visited ABS headquarters in the Far East and met with the Old Testament project managers and key translators. In addition to providing its Hebrew Morphology database to ABS, the Institute has agreed to provide technical assistance to the computational linguists at ABS, who are currently engaged in “mapping” the morphological and syntactic features of Biblical Hebrew to Chinese. The Institute will also offer translation and exegetical guidance to the editorial committee throughout the project.
The Westminster Hebrew Institute, founded in 1986, applies computing and related technology to the study and teaching of the Hebrew Bible and language.
BREAKTHROUGH THE LANGUAGE BARRIER WITH THE AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION FROM OLIVE TREE BIBLE SOFTWARE
Religion News ServiceSPOKANE, WA - (August 29, 2005) - In cooperation with Zondervan, Olive Tree offers a digital version of the popular Amplified translation for handheld users. Renowned for its ability to bring out shades of understanding otherwise obscured by the more traditional word-for-word translation, this version takes both word meaning and context into account to accurately convey the original languages into English.
“The words of the Hebrew tongue have a peculiar energy,” writes Martin Luther in his Table Talk, “It is impossible to convey so much so briefly in any other language. To render them intelligibly we must not attempt to give word for word translations, but only aim at the sense and the [original Author’s] idea.”
The Amplified’s multiple English word equivalents for each key Hebrew and Greek word come close to offering the modern reader what the original listeners took for granted. Now the handheld user can reap these same benefits on their Palm OS, Pocket PC, BlackBerry, Smartphone or Symbian device.
“I love the convenience of carrying the Amplified Bible in addition to other translations in my pocket for use in church and Bible studies,” says Stephen Johnson, Software Engineer at Olive Tree Bible Software, “It is a great companion to traditional modern translations since it helps to bring out the meaning of a passage from many different angles. It enriches my understanding of a verse.”
Since the days of John Wycliffe, scholars and translators have struggled to present an English translation that faithfully represents the original. Through this version’s unique use of explanatory alternate readings and amplifications, the reader is assisted into a better understanding of what the Scripture really says.
A good example is found in Hebrews 13:5, “for He (God) tHimself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor tgive you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, u[I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless, nor forsake you nor ulet [you] down, [trelax my hold on you],—vAssuredly not!”
t) Vincent. u) Wuest. Three negatives precede the verb. v) Souter.
About Olive Tree Bible Software
Olive Tree Bible Software provides Bible versions and study tools for Palm OS, Pocket PC, Smartphone and Symbian cell phones, and BlackBerry devices. They publish over 80 electronic translations of the Bible as well as commentaries, dictionaries, devotionals, eBooks, and Strong’s numbering system. The Bible is offered in various languages, including German, French, Spanish, Chinese, and many others. Original Hebrew and Greek texts are also available. Additionally, web and online cell phone (WAP) Bible search engines are provided. Visit http://www.OliveTree.com.
Contact: Nancy DeRosier
press[at]olivetree.com