Bible translation magazine: all things bible

The average Christian often misunderstands the common saying that "all translation is interpretation" (Ryken. 2009, 27), because those of the DE camp often misuse it. All translation is lexical interpretation. The translator has a choice before him, as to which English word or phrase faithfully agrees to the OL word. Because this is an actual choice on the part of the translator, it could be argued that some level of interpretation is involved. However, this is not a good use of the word "interpretation." Translation is interpretation, when a translator takes an idiom, hyperbole, figurative, symbolic, or technical term, and then unnecessarily goes beyond the literal translation process (because he feels it is too difficult for the reader to understand); therefore, he interprets what the author meant by his use of that word or phrase in the OL text, and the DE translator places that meaning in the English translation. "Lexical or linguistic interpretation, on the other hand, "is something akin to interpretation when translators decide whether, for example, the Israelites were led through the wilderness or the desert." (Ryken. 2009, 27)