'My tongue is the stylus of a skilled scribe' (Ps 45:2c ): if so in the Scriptures, then why not also in translation?
Date
2013
Authors
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Abstract
In this study, I survey seven characteristics of the poetic-rhetorical style of Psalm 45, with
special reference to the ‘sound effects’ (phonological features) of the Hebrew text. This leads
to a brief discussion of the translation of this psalm in Chewa, a Bantu language of southeastern
Africa. How ‘skilful’ does this version sound in the vernacular, and why is this an
important aspect of the translator’s task in order to ensure that the ‘good word’ ( דּ֘בר ט֗וֹב ) of the
Bible is faithfully as well as forcefully transmitted? Suggestions will be offered to indicate how
the current standard Chewa versions might be improved so as to ‘stir the heart’ ( ר֘חשׁ לִבִּי ) of
listeners also today. The results of the present study may be instructive and/or applicable in
varying degrees to similar projects that aim to render the biblical text poetically, rhetorically
and oratorically in the language of translation.
Description
CITATION: Wendland, E. R. 2013. 'My tongue is the stylus of a skilled scribe' (Ps 45:2c ): if so in the Scriptures, then why not also in translation? Verbum et Ecclesia, 34(1):a777, doi:10.4102/ve.v34i1.777.
The original publication is available at https://verbumetecclesia.org.za
The original publication is available at https://verbumetecclesia.org.za
Keywords
Hebrew poetry, Biblical
Citation
Wendland, E. R. 2013. 'My tongue is the stylus of a skilled scribe' (Ps 45:2c ): if so in the Scriptures, then why not also in translation? Verbum et Ecclesia, 34(1):a777, doi:10.4102/ve.v34i1.777.