Theologia vitae

Volume 2 (year 2009), issue 2

Nové české překlady Bible



Jak nové české překlady vidí samy sebe

    Česká Jeruzalémská bible

    (Dominik Duka)

    Mezi lhaním a rouháním: Bible, překlad 21. století jako pokus o komunikativní ekvivalenci
    (Alexandr Flek)

    Český katolický překlad — stručná charakteristika překladatelské metody, východisek, záměru a důrazů
    (Josef Hřebík)

    O Českém studijním překladu Bible
    (Antonín Zelina)


    Překládání Bible v teorii a praxi
    (Jiří Hedánek)

The author offers a practical simplification of the meaning of ‘meaning’ in three layers: the meaning of words, sentences, and of text. On this background, he develops the communication chain as applied to the Word of God, proceeding from Isa 55:11—God sends out His word for a purpose. The communication setting breaks down into participants in view of Heb 4:12—God’s word is alive. Next, the semantics of translation of the inspired text on the sentence level is shown in detail. These models provide a theoretical framework to present practical principles. A few aspects of the text meaning seem of special importance in translating the Bible. Propositions and sentential meaning is left out. Concerning the verbal meaning, fidelity and literal approach is made note of. While attention to criticism is paid throughout, in conclusion teamwork issues are commented, with special regard to what near future is about to offer. Finally a commentary on references translators to come may find useful is provided.

The footnotes add detail to the text and provide reference for those interested in further studies. The essay need not be read with footnotes to gain basic comprehension. In fact, ignoring footnotes at the first reading might be a good idea. This way, the essay can be followed along two different levels of expertise. In quoting resources, a moderate preference is shown toward Czech and Slovak translation studies as well as Prague Linguistic School to give them consideration they deserve, and due to their accessibility.



    Překlad listu Židům ve znění B21 a ČSP
    (Pavel Paluchník)

The present author offers an exegetical examination of three selected passages of the epistle to the Hebrews as translated in two new Czech translations of the Bible (ČSP and B21). The final evaluation of both the versions of the epistle to the Hebrews is done according to the specific goals that are expressed in introductions to the two Bibles. ČSP represents a literal approach to Bible translation that brings about a great number of following textual and exegetical comments. Surprisingly, ČSP still is well readable and its massive commentary as well as many cross references give to this Bible study translation a unique place among Czech Bible versions. The B21 Bible translation convinces us with simple elegance and clarity of formulations as well as its arrangement in paragraphs. B21 is truly accessible to the modern reader even though it strikes us with some expressions and phrases in rather old-fashioned Czech, very similar to the most famous Czech Bible translation of all times, Bible kralická of 1613.



    List Galatským podle nových českých překladů (B21, ČSP)
    (Peter Cimala)

The article Galatians in New Czech Translations (B21, ČSP) compares translations of the letter to the Galatians in two of the new Czech versions of the Bible published in 2009 – the Bible for 21st century (B21) and the Czech Study Translation (ČSP). The essay is divided into three main parts. It begins with a brief discussion of the presuppositions of the translation. (1) The first chapter presents the statements of the translators on their approaches as a starting point for the following comparison of the texts selected as case studies. (2) The second part compares and comments on a selection of samples from Galatians. (3) The study closes with an evaluation of these translations and some published reviews of both translations. The article concludes that ČSP is a good study tool which fulfils its intention. However, the profile of B21 is hard to identify. While the aim of the translators is to reach a new generation of readers through a fresh translation into common language, our analysis shows that some passages are surprisingly literal (even similar or parallel to the ČSP). Both translations are helpful for deeper Bible study and have the potential to generate new interest in the Scripture among Czech readers.



    Nové české překládání Písma kniha Exodus
   
recenze překladu Bible21 na pozadí Českého studijního překladu a se stálým odkazováním k Jeruzalémské bibli a Českému ekumenickému překladu
    (Viktor Ber)

The author of this review article offers a critical reflection on recently completed Czech translation of the Bible - Bible21. It focuses on the translation of the book of Exodus.

The philosphy of this version as declared by the translators is first presented in comparison to the philosphy of translation of another new version (Czech Study Translation). In the next part the author reviews problematic aspects of implementation of suggested approach e.g. archaisms, complicated constructions, personal names. Next the focus is on expected threats of idiomatic and more free translation of Bible21: missing some key expressions, difficulties on the level of syntax and macrosyntax. The specific texts of Bible21 treated in this review article are being compared with other modern Czech translations (Czech Ecumenical Translation, Czech Study Translation, Jerusalem Bible–Czech version).

The author of the review comes to relatively critical evaluation of Bible21, especially at those points where the translators seem to divert from their own theory of translation.



    Sola scriptura v exegéze J. Calvina
    (Pavel Hanes)

Calvin may be loved or hated but his influence on the biblical exegesis can hardly be denied. The article gives a basic description of what sola scriptura meant for Calvin and also attempts to answer the question whether Calvin's understanding of sola scriptura can be studied with more than just a historical interest today. The author comes with an opinion that Calvin's experience of reading the Bible and his theological approach to exegesis can be successfully used in today's crisis of the protestant Scripture principle as described by Pannenberg in the 1960s.



    Všeobecné kněžství věřících
    Církev hierarchická, či demokratická? Prostředník mezi Bohem a člověkem?

    (Ladislav Beneš)

Zuerst untersucht der Autor den Termin des Priestertums, das die Funktionen der Vermittlung und Vertretung beinhaltet. Die Reformation hat das Priestertum als einen sakramental privilegierten Stand abgelehnt. Aufgrund der Taufe und Rechtfertigung durch den Glauben dehnte aber diese pristerliche Funktion auf alle Getauften aus. Die „Macht“ dieses Amtes besteht nicht in den Getauften selbst, sondern in dem verkündeten und rechtfertigenden Evangelium. Zum Schluss werden einige Folgen für die Gestalt der Kirche erwähnt: Eben in der Gestalt und in allen Strukturen der Kirche soll es evident sein, dass sie die Wahrheit nicht besitzt, sondern ihr nur dient (ministerium verbi), was sie u.a. zum Treiben der kritischen Theologie verpflichtet.

   

    Znamení doby
    (David Novák)

My essay attempts to defend a thesis, provocative as it may sound, that our society, 20 years after the fall of the communist regime, seems facing the same threat as under the communist rule. The condition may result from no external pressure, rather a progressive social decay.

The threat I identify consists of gradual undermining of basic pillars of our civilization, namely the family, freedom of speech, critical thinking and the Christian tradition as represented by traditional Christian churches. The communist regime was destroying these pillars more or less openly. Following its downfall, many of us hoped that the re-gained freedom was going to help stabilize families, that we were going to think, read and study what we choose free from fear after so many years and, last but not least, that the Church was going to grow again since no one was to persecute anybody for their confession. The present essay aims at showing that the hopes put in the re-gained freedom and its consequent feasibilities have been fulfilled only partially. I shall conclude suggesting ways for the Church to reflect the condition.




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