I have always been fascinated by language. When I was six, my mother took my sisters and me to Canada for the World Expo. That was my first introduction to French. I still remember our first meal at a restaurant. My mom spoke French with the waitress as if they were old friends. When she ordered babeurre from the menu, I thought it sounded wonderful. When the beverage arrived, I wanted to taste it, until my mom said it was buttermilk.
That’s when I started learning other languages. I also remember a comedian who was famous for malapropisms. Norm Crosby had a way of incorporating homonyms into his monologue that flipped the intended meaning of his sentences. Our language is a dynamic reflection of our lives and culture.
What is true for the spoken word is also true for literature. Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and the plays of William Shakespeare are two examples. Reading the works as they were originally penned was a tortuous part of my high school English classes.
Growing up, our family read from one version of the Bible. At church, Scripture was always read from the King James version. Whenever my aunt quoted the Bible, she would recite the verses she memorized from that same version. It took time for other translations to be read and shared on a regular basis, not only at home, but also in the churches I attended. I think I now have 6 Bibles with different translations. They include the New Revised Standard Version, the New International Version, and the Common English Bible. I can also access other translations and versions online.
Sometimes, though the words used in a translation cause me to stop and reflect on what I’ve read. The new word changes the interpretation of Scripture for me, inspiring me to ask why the scholars chose this word. Here is an illustration to ponder: Acts Chapter 9:4 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (NRSV); As he fell to the ground, he heard a voice: “Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me?” (The Message); He fell to the ground and heard a voice asking him, “Saul, Saul, why are you harassing me?” (Common English Bible).
I am more comfortable with the NRSV translation, which parallels the King James version. However, both The Message and Common English Bible versions offer a different interpretation of this passage. During my Bible reflection for the week, I will consider the way these different words bring new light to Jesus’ question for Saul. I hope you may do the same. And Amen.