|
The
English Bible Translation Comparison
chart, after years of tweaking, continues to be a work in
progress. Due to much request, I revisited it (version 5) to
add the NIV 2011 and the NET (New English Translation) Bible and
(version 6) to add the CEB and The Voice. In addition,
responding to new information, small changes have been made in some
translation grade level rankings, plus adjustments in positioning of
some versions. Note that NASU and NASB now appear
separately. While earlier versions of the chart will (sadly)
live forever on the Internet, I recommend only using this new chart
(version 6). Scholarly and documented constructive criticism, along
with specific requests for additions, are welcome and help to make
the chart continuously better.
Purpose of the
English Bible Translation Comparison chart
-
This chart
visually shows the style of each English Bible translation, in a
spectrum ranging from word-for-word, to thought-for-thought (dynamic
equivalence) and paraphrase.
-
Displays common
abbreviations for many popular English Bible translations
-
The numeric value
in parenthesis following each translation name is the grade level of readability.
-
Notes whether the
apocrypha is included or available for each translation. Be aware
that some translations include the apocrypha as part of God's Word
(e.g. NAB), while others included it for historical significance
(e.g. KJV) or make it available for research purposes (e.g. ESV).
-
Makes note of
translations that are employing gender neutral language. (Consider
this article: What's
Wrong with Gender-Neutral Bible Translations? by Wayne Grudem)
What the
English Bible Translation Comparison
chart doesn't do
-
This chart makes
no assessment as to the quality of each translation and, in fact,
includes some translations with strong Roman Catholic bias (e.g. NAB).
-
It does not cover
every English translation, choosing to focus on a majority of modern
best sellers.
-
We are not the
final word on readability level or style. While tests exist to help
determine these, conflicting results often arise requiring a
subjective determination and subsequent designation. Publishers often
make claims regarding readability of their translations, some which
we have agreed with, others have required revision. Ongoing
reevaluation has prompted us to make changes in our assessments,
resulting in small changes from earlier versions of this chart.
Specifically
Answered Questions
-
I am curious as to
where the Douay Rheims translation fits into the English Bible
Translation Comparison chart?
The Douay Rheims
translation doesn't really have a good spot to appear on my
chart. Here's why...
Like the King
James translation, most today are not using the original. By
itself this would not keep me from placing it on the chart. (In fact,
in putting the King James version on the chart I assume the 1769
Oxford edition which is commonly the text still provided under the
original name). The Challoner revisions (by Bishop Richard
Challoner) of the mid 1700's are what most people are referring to
under the retained name of the Douay-Rheims (which was originally
created in 1582 NT/1609-1610 OT). Challoner used a lot of
renderings from the King James text of his day (pre-1769 Oxford
edition, likely one of the 1629 or 1638 Cambridge editions), so some
of the ranking of the King James would certainly apply to Challoner's
revised Douay-Rheims.
The primary reason
the original Douay-Rheims doesn't fit well on the chart is that it is
not a translation (or paraphrase) from the original languages (Greek,
Aramaic and Hebrew). The original Douay-Rheims was a
word-for-word translation from another translation, namely the Latin
Vulgate. Even with the later version (or revision), Challoner
"corrected" the King James renderings he adopted by
referring to the Clementine edition of the Latin Vulgate (created
under Pope Clement VIII in 1592 and revised in 1593 & 1598).
In effect, Challoner was still emphasizing word-for-word with the
Latin Vulgate, especially in regards to key terms and concepts.
In summary, with
an understanding that the Douay-Rheims is primarily a Latin to
English secondary translation, it is strongly a word-for-word
edition. Due to archaic terms and phrasing, its reading level
is, like the King James, would also rate a 13 (meaning college or
higher to understand).
Some additons to
the chart above:
Common English Bible
~ 2011 ~ 120 translators
The Voice ~ 2009 ~
27 scholars, 52 Emergent Movement "retellers" |
