Abstract
This paper examines the tension between faithfulness and naturalness in translating the Bible into the mother tongues of diverse peoples. While both are essential, they often conflict in practice. Faithfulness requires accurately conveying the original author’s intent, whereas naturalness demands that the message be expressed clearly and idiomatically in the receptor language. This tension is reflected in the differing roles of translation officers and local translators: officers prioritize fidelity to the source text, while translators ensure linguistic and cultural appropriateness. A key challenge arises when translation officers do not know the receptor language, limiting their ability to assess naturalness. The paper argues that back translation serves as a crucial mediating tool. By translating the target text back into the source language, it allows officers to evaluate accuracy while respecting the translators’ linguistic expertise. Thus, back translation helps bridge the gap between faithfulness and naturalness, ensuring both accuracy and clarity in Bible translation.
Recommended Citation
Arevalo, Rhoneil M.
(2023)
"The Indispensability of Back Translation: Mediating Faithfulness and Naturalness in the Translation of the Bible into an Unfamiliar Tongue,"
Landas: Vol. 35:
No.
2, Article 7.
Available at:
https://archium.ateneo.edu/landas/vol35/iss2/7