Some Thoughts on Changes in the Theoretical Framework of Bible Translation
Keywords:
Bible translation, translation studies, equivalenceAbstract
This study situates Bible translation within the broader development of modern translation studies, tracing its evolution from early sense-for-sense reflections by Cicero and St Jerome to contemporary linguistic and functionalist theories. It argues that translation is best understood not as the substitution of linguistic units but as an act of interpretive text production and cultural mediation, shaped by purpose, audience, and context. By examining historical and modern Bible translations alongside theoretical frameworks, from formal and dynamic equivalence to relevance theory and functionalism, the paper highlights the plurality of legitimate translation strategies. Special attention is given to the roles of hermeneutics, sociolinguistics, cognition, and pragmatics in shaping translational decisions and in defining varying degrees of equivalence or adequacy. The analysis demonstrates that Bible translation occupies a unique position between literary and specialised translation, combining linguistic precision with theological interpretation and communicative intent. Ultimately, the study contends that the coexistence of multiple translations within a single language is not a deficiency but a scholarly and cultural asset, facilitating comprehension, interpretation, and critical engagement with sacred texts.
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