Transformation of Biblical Proper Names

Biblical proper names undergo complex transformations in transmission between Semitic and non-Semitic languages. Greek and Latin alphabets fail to adequately represent Semitic sounds, leading to numerous phonetic variants in Greek and Latin Bibles. The Hebrew Bible maintains more stable and consistent forms of proper names. Greek and Latin translators and copyists lacked fluency in Hebrew, resulting in variations in the pronunciation of rare personal names.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 176 pages
\n Publication date: 30 May 2019
\n Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
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The transmission of biblical proper names presents a fascinating array of transformations across different linguistic cultures. The complex phonetic relationship between Semitic languages and non-Semitic languages, such as Greek and Latin, poses a significant challenge in establishing a unified tradition in writing biblical names within these cultures. Due to the inadequacy of the Greek and Latin alphabets for transliterating Semitic languages, authors of Greek and Latin Bibles had to be innovative in both grammatical and cultural aspects.

In Greek and Latin Bibles, we encounter an overwhelming number of phonetic variants of proper names. A comprehensive survey of ancient Greek and Latin Bible translations reveals the boundary between phonetic transliterations that adhere to Semitic, Greek, and Latin linguistic rules and those that deviate from these rules. The forms of biblical proper names exhibit greater stability and consistency in the Hebrew Bible compared to Greek, Latin, and other ancient Bible translations. The vast array of variant pronunciations of the same proper names in Greek and Latin translations indicates that Greek and Latin translators and copyists were generally not fluent in Hebrew and lacked sufficient support in a living Hebrew phonetic context.

This lack of fluency in Hebrew significantly impacts personal names of rare usage, which are expressed in the oral tradition by a broader segment of the population. In contrast, geographical names, whose forms are transmitted through oral tradition, are less affected by this linguistic limitation.

Overall, the transmission of biblical proper names highlights the complexities and challenges faced by translators and copyists across different linguistic cultures. It underscores the importance of linguistic expertise and cultural understanding in preserving and accurately translating these names throughout history.

\n Weight: 266g\n
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 9 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780567688927\n \n