'My tongue is the stylus of a skilled scribe' (Ps 45:2c): If so in the Scriptures, then why not also in translation?

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� (טוֹב֗ דּבר֘) 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� (בּיִ לִ רחשׁ֘) 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.

Keywords

• Bible translation
• biblical orality
• Chewa Bible
• Hebrew poetics
• psalmic analysis