Translations

     There was a man named Jerome who lived in the early days of the Church.  He was a devoted monk and ascetic known for many things, but in particular for his translation of the books of the bible into the language of the common people - Latin.  He translated them from the original languages, rather than the 2nd or 1st century BC Greek translations of the Hebrew scriptures (the Septuagint).  In his translation, which served as the foundation of nearly all translations until modern times, he sought to bring the Word of God to everyone - the educated and the common folk alike.  Today the Church remembers him in her liturgy.

     Translations of the scriptures today are rooted in the study of the original languages based on modern linguistic and historical study, and thus are more accurate.  But Jerome set the stage and prepared the way.

     There is another translation that is on our minds these days, that of the upcoming changes in English in the liturgy.  After over forty years of a dynamic translation from Latin into English of the Roman Missal, the Church finds the need to ask the  English speaking world to go back to the original (Latin) and give a more realistic and literal translation into English.  This has been a work in progress for many years, and will be implemented in the U.S. with the First Sunday of Advent.  The goal is to seek to restore the beauty of the words, the poetry of the thoughts, and the majesty of language that is rooted in scripture.  It will be a challenge for us, because we have become comfortable with what we are used to, and the wording  sometimes does not flow well, but we will survive.

     I have heard that one of the reasons why Rome asked the English speaking world to translate more literally was because other language groups were basing their translations on the English paraphrase rather than the Latin original.  It presented the problem that Jerome encountered - a translation of a translation is not always the best way to proceed.  So, be patient and be open.  Accept the challenge.  And use this time to increase your knowledge and appreciation of our liturgy.  In fact, this afternoon I am teaching a class to our 8th graders at Queen of Angels School on this very topic.  I'm looking forward to the opportunity.