A Complementary Approach to the Interpretation and Translation of Biblical Metaphors

by Peter Kamande Thuo

Overview

In this in-depth study, Peter Kamande Thuo explores the complexity of accurately understanding, interpreting, and translating Scripture, especially biblical metaphors. Engaging the need for a stronger theoretical framework for conceptualizing and communicating metaphors across languages, Dr Thuo proposes a complementary approach that utilizes relevance theory to bridge gaps presented by conceptual metaphor theory and cognitive linguistics. Yet this book is far more than an abstract theoretical treatise. Dr Thuo offers the example of the “circumcised heart” of Romans 2 as a case study, providing practical guidance for his readers as he demonstrates the process of translating such a phrase into Kikuyu. So doing, he reminds us that the challenge of understanding, interpreting, and applying biblical metaphors across culture and language is not limited to the work of professional translation. Rather, it is at the heart of all scholarship, discipleship, and pastoral teaching and the task of every person engaged in reading the word of God.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781839731990
Publisher:	Langham Creative Projects
Publication date:	01/31/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	314
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

PETER KAMANDE THUO has a PhD in Translation Studies from Africa International University, Nairobi, Kenya. He is a certified Bible translation consultant and has worked on numerous translation projects in Tanzania and Nigeria. He teaches courses related to Biblical Studies, Translation, and Linguistics at Africa International University and Pan Africa Christian University, both in Nairobi, Kenya.

Table of Contents

1. List of Figures
2. Acknowledgments
3. Abstract
4. Abbreviations
5. Chapter 1 General Introduction
6. Problem Formulation
7. Cognition and Selective Processing in the Study of Biblical Metaphors
8. Overview of the Interpretation of the Metaphor περιτομὴ καρδίας
9. The Challenge of the Heart Metaphor
10. The Research Problem
11. The Thesis Statement
12. The Research Questions
13. Field Data and Research Methodology
14. The Scope and Limitations of this Study
15. Relevance to Field of Bible Translation
16. Overview of Dissertation Content
17. Chapter 2 Theoretical Approach
18. Theoretical Framework
19. The Conceptual Nature of Metaphors
20. Cognitive Semantics
21. Conceptual Integration or Blending Theory
22. Relevance Theory
23. The Theoretical Gap
24. Bridging the Gap
25. The Discourse Space
26. The Relevance Space
27. The Complementary Approach
28. Summary
29. Chapter 3 Biblical Conceptualization of περιτομη and καρδια
30. The Traditional Frame
31. Frame Elements
32. The Heart
33. Metaphorical Use of the Associated Concepts
34. The Modified Frame
35. Frame Elements
36. Other Associated Rituals
37. The Conceptual Integration Process
38. Frame Blending
39. The Outer Spaces
40. The Source Language Inner Spaces
41. Meaning of the Metaphor Περιτομὴ Καρδίας
42. Summary
43. Chapter 4 The Conceptualization of irua*, hakiri and ngoro
44. Introduction
45. Conceptualization of irua*
46. The Meaning of irua*
47. Frame Elements
48. Frame Shifting
49. The Conceptual Integration Process
50. Association of [irua*] and hakiri
51. Association of [irua*] and ngoro
52. Summary
53. Chapter 5 Translating the Metaphorical Blend
54. The Source Language Blended Space
55. The Receptor Language Blended Space
56. The Translation Space
57. Target Space Background Framing
58. Metonymic Links
59. Rendering of the Metaphorical Blend
60. Procedure for Translating a Metaphorical Blend
61. Summary
62. Chapter 6 Conclusions and Recommendations
63. Conclusions
64. Further Recommendations
65. Appendixes
66. Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

There are many biblical metaphors which may look very similar to those in African target languages yet significantly very different in meaning. A good example is "circumcision of heart" in Romans 2:29. A face-value translation that does not pay attention to conceptual differences between the source language culture and target language culture may yield misleading interpretations. In this book the author demonstrates how the tools of Conceptual Integration Theory and Relevance Theory can be applied to render biblical metaphors in more meaningful ways. This book is very informative and will be of great use to scholars in Biblical Studies, Socio-linguistics and Bible Translation, especially in African cultural contexts where parallels of biblical imagery and rituals are easily encountered and thought to be similar, yet the underlying conceptual meanings are totally different. I highly recommend this book for reference in seminaries, theological colleges and universities.

Diphus Chemorion, DTh

Dean, Faculty of Theology,

St. Paul's University, Limuru, Kenya

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Having been a Bible translation consultant for many years, one of the main challenges I have observed translators struggling with is that of effectively rendering both the meaning and impact of metaphors across languages. As has been argued in this book, to adequately address this challenge, it is important to come to terms with the underlying cognitive processes involved. This book not only expounds on a theoretical framework for the interpretation and translation of figures of speech, but also practically demonstrates the effectiveness of such an approach. Indeed, the proposed complementary approach between Conceptual Integration Theory and Relevance Theory is a rewarding way to think about the underlying process that drives and/or hinders projections and inferences to or from the metaphorical blends. I recommend this book to both learning institutions and practitioners as an effective tool for understanding how metaphors work.

Margaret J. Muthwii, PhD

Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Linguistics,

Pan Africa Christian University, Nairobi, Kenya

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Interpreting metaphors involves identifying points of comparison between unlike and often superficially incompatible elements. A complex metaphorical expression, like "circumcision of the heart" can be interpreted in various ways by different audiences, depending on the context in which circumcision and heart are understood. Dr Kamande Thuo convincingly explains how Paul's original audience would have understood this metaphor in Romans 2:29, and he then demonstrates how the same metaphor yields incompatible interpretations for speakers of the Kikuyu language in Kenya, for whom circumcision serves a very different purpose. As a translation consultant with Word for the World Bible Translators, and a speaker of Kikuyu himself, Dr Thuo is uniquely placed to bridge the gap between the Jewish and Kikuyu understandings of the metaphor, which he does by skillfully combining the apparatus of Conceptual Integration (Blending) Theory with the Relevance Theory approach to communication and translation.

Steve Nicolle, DPhil

Director, MA in Linguistics and Translation Programme,

Canada Institute of Linguistics at ACTS Seminaries

and Trinity Western University, Langley, British Columbia, Canada

From the Publisher