Translation is always a treason

The translation process inevitably involves betrayal or a loss of the original text’s essence. This perspective has significant implications for translating the biblical text, a foundational religious and cultural document for many communities worldwide.

Loss of Nuance: The original languages of the Bible—Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek—contain nuances, idioms, and cultural references that are often difficult to convey in another language. This can lead to losing the original meanings, subtleties, and depth.

Cultural Context: Every translation is influenced by its translators’ cultural, theological, and philosophical biases. This means that the translated text might reflect its translators’ contemporary beliefs or interpretations rather than the original intent, thus “betraying” the original message.

Accessibility vs. Authenticity: While translation makes the biblical text accessible to a broader audience, each translation moves the reader one step further from the original text. The balance between making the text understandable and preserving its original flavor is delicate, where translation can be seen as both necessary and unavoidably “treasonous.”

“Translation is always a treason”

Kakuzo Okakura.

In translating biblical texts, certain words present a notable challenge in capturing their entire essence in another language. An example of this is the Hebrew term עִדָּה, referenced in Isaiah 64:6, a topic recently explored by Chad Bird. While some English versions opt for the terms “dirty or filthy” to convey its meaning, a more nuanced interpretation might associate it with the concept of ritual impurity. At its core, this term alludes to a menstrual cloth, inherently carrying implications of temporary uncleanness.

This issue underscores the broader challenges inherent in the translation process, as articulated by Kakuzo Okakura: “Translation is always a treason.” It reflects the unavoidable compromises and losses incurred when conveying the rich tapestries of the Bible’s original languages—Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek—into other linguistic frameworks. These languages are replete with unique idioms, cultural nuances, and depth that are often elusive in translation, potentially diluting the original text’s meaning and richness.

Moreover, translation is not merely linguistic but also profoundly influenced by the translators’ cultural, theological, and philosophical lenses. Each translation can inadvertently reflect contemporary biases or interpretations, distancing the text from its original intent—a form of “betrayal” of the original message.

Balancing accessibility with authenticity is a delicate endeavor in biblical translation. Making the text understandable to a broader audience inevitably means moving away from the original manuscript, a necessary yet “treasonous” act highlighting the complex interplay between fidelity to the source and the need for comprehensibility.

The challenge of translating terms such as עִדָּה from Isaiah 64:6 exemplifies the multifaceted responsibilities and complexities faced by translators. It emphasizes the importance of handling biblical translations with care, scholarly diligence, and acknowledging this endeavor’s inherent limitations and responsibilities.

‌‌~PW 🌮🛶

[עִדָּה] n.f. menstruation, so Vrss (proposes time, period);—pl. abs. בֶּגֶד עִדִּים Is 64:5 i.e. stained garment (fig. of best deeds of guilty people; || טָמֵא). ~ Brown, F., Driver, S. R., & Briggs, C. A. (1977). In Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (p. 723). Clarendon Press.