The Art of Bible Translation

An award-winning biblical translator reflects on the art of capturing the literary power of the Bible in EnglishIn this brief book award-winning biblical translator and acclaimed literary critic Robert Alter offers a personal and passionate account of what he learned about the art of Bible translation over the two decades he spent completing his own English version of the Hebrew Bible.Alter?s literary training gave him the advantage of seeing that a translation of the Bible can convey the text?s meaning only by trying to capture the powerful and subtle literary style of the biblical Hebrew something the modern English versions don?t do justice to. The Bible?s style Alter writes ?is not some sort of aesthetic embellishment of the ?message? of Scripture but the vital medium through which the biblical vision of God human nature history politics society and moral value is conveyed.? And as the translators of the King James Version knew the authority of the Bible is inseparable from its literary authority.For these reasons the Bible can be brought to life in English only by re-creating its literary virtuosity and Alter discusses the principal aspects of style in the Hebrew Bible that any translator should try to reproduce: word choice syntax word play and sound play rhythm and dialogue. In the process he provides an illuminating and accessible introduction to biblical style that also offers insights about the art of translation far beyond the Bible.

Hardcover: 152 pages

Publisher: Princeton University Press (March 19 2019)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0691181497

ISBN-13: 978-0691181493

Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.4 x 8.5 inches

Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces