Die 1983 Afrikaanse Bybelvertaling in die lig van huidige tendense en behoeftes
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Date
2003
Authors
Snyman, A. H.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State
Abstract
At a symposium on current trends in Bible translation held in August 2001 it became
clear that linguistic-based theories, which dominated translation work when
the 1983 Afrikaans translation came on the scene, have been replaced by functionalist
approaches and descriptive translation studies (DTS). The difference between
these approaches lies in their relation to the source text: linguistic theorists regard
the source text as a norm and evaluate any translation in terms of its equivalence to
the source text. In contrast, the functionalist theorists regard a translation as a new
communicative act that must be purposeful with respect to the translator’s clients
and readership, while DTS views a text as a translation if it functions as such in the
receiving culture and literary system. A recent investigation into the need for a new
Afrikaans translation reveals that there is a need for various types of translation. The
majority of respondents are satisfied with the 1983 translation and do not want a
new one. It has also become apparent, however, that the 1983 translation is not suitable
for liturgical use in all Afrikaans-speaking churches. In line with the experience
of the new Dutch translation project, there is a specific need for a translation
that reflects the literary forms and structures of the source texts and retains as much
as possible imagery and metaphor, if functional, in contemporary Afrikaans. The
Church Advisory Committee: Afrikaans Translations recommended to churches that a
new translation should not be undertaken at this stage, but that research continue
and proof translations be published in order to reach consensus on the type of translation
needed. This recommendation is strongly supported in this article, due to the
trends and needs outlined above. Once consensus has been reached, a thorough
translation brief should guide the translation process.
Description
Keywords
Bible translation, Theory of translation, Afrikaans language, 1983 Afrikaans Bible translation
Citation
Snyman, A. H. (2003). Die 1983 Afrikaanse Bybelvertaling in die lig van huidige tendense en behoeftes. Acta Theologica, 23(1), 175-193.