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Etheridge's Mistranslations
#1
I don't think there are that many in Etheridge's great work, but I have found some translations of his that seemed to need to be changed while working on my revision. I am starting out with the Gospel of John (Yochanan). The first one I can think of off of my head seems to be in John 3:33. Etheridge's translation of this verse says, "But he who hath received his testimony, hath sealed that the true Aloha is he."

George Lamsa translates John 3:33 correctly, as do most other Peshitta translations-- "He who accepts his testimony has set his seal that God is true."

My revision reads (in the Aramaic Edition), "But he who has accepted His testimony has sealed that Alaha is true."

The next one that I've noticed that seems to be mistranslated is John 8:25 where it says this (as translated correctly by Lamsa and most other translators of the Peshitta), "...Jesus said to them, Even though I should begin to speak to you..."

Etheridge's translation reads, "Jeshu saith to them, The same that I began to tell you."

My revision reads, 'Eshu' said to them, "Even if I should begin to speak to you."'

These are just two that were easy to pick out just by comparing translations and interlinears. Does anyone have anything else or disagree with my opinions on these verses? I am not working in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or the rest of the New Testament books right now. I am currently at the beginning of the fourth Gospel's 9th chapter. Any help in this work will be appreciated. I'll definitely give a big thank you to the peshitta.org community in the introduction <!-- sSmile --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /><!-- sSmile -->
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#2
I think Etheridge nails it pretty close in 8:25, Dylan. Lamsa and Murdock, which I checked, misses it I think. I would translate it this way, but, it's real close to what Etheridge goes with."The Yehud?aye said; you, who are you? Eshu? said to them; even that which I began to speak with you.

As for 3:33, his rendering is pretty awkward there, and it can be improved I think. I would translate it this way: "But those who recieved His testimony, confirms that Alaha is true."

"Sealed" is ok, but "Confirm" is what "Sealed" means there...and makes it a bit clearer to the reader I think. Even today there is a term used, namely "Confirmation", where the new Christian, after water Baptism is "Sealed" by The Holy Spirit, by the anointing of the Holy Oil. When one is "Sealed", they are "Confirmed" to be part of the body of Messiah, or The Church.

Blessings,
Chuck
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#3
Thanks, Brother. I'm hoping some more people will give feedback. I could definitely use it! I definitely agree with you about 3:33. From all the Peshitta translations I've looked at though, Etheridge seems to be the only one to translate it this way. I'll have to look at it a little more. Alexander translates it as, 'Eashoa told them, "Even though from the beginning I have been telling you [this,]"'.

Brother Paul's Interlinear says, "said to them Yeshua even if I should begin to speak with you" or "Yeshua said to them, 'Even if I should begin to speak with you". I think the fact that 3 native speakers (even if the other two are less accurate than Brother Paul) is pretty significant. You are definitely more knowledgeable in Aramaic than I am though!

The Greek seems closer to Etheridge's translation in this.

Young's Literal Translation- "Jesus said to them, 'Even what I did speak of to you at the beginning;"
New American Standard- 'Jesus said to them, "What have I been saying to you from the beginning?"'
New International Version- '"Just what I have been telling you from the beginning," Jesus replied.'
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#4
Do you check the actual Aramaic text out? Translations can vary widely as you can see here...and the meaning can change quite a bit in their renderings.

Here is the verse broke down at Dukhrana.com and from there you can check each word out in the lexicons. It is the best resource for someone who is not that familure with the language yet...and a great place to learn a lot of things along the way, by comparing other verses which use the same word.

Check it out. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://dukhrana.com/peshitta/analyze_verse.php?lang=en&verse=John+8:25&source=ubs&font=Estrangelo+Edessa&size=150">http://dukhrana.com/peshitta/analyze_ve ... a&size=150</a><!-- m -->%
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#5
The funny thing is that I was going to do that with the result of my updating the English (use Dukhrana and probably other concordances). Thanks for showing me that feature!
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#6
Don't use dukhrana for updating the text; because it would be a violation of copyright (it originates from George Kiraz's SEDRA3). (I asked George Kiraz for permission to make a Eastern Peshitta English version using his SEDRA3, and he said No).

It would be better to use Jennings (only if it surely is in the public domain).


I have worked on a revised Etheridge gospel of John, and it is mostly complete. (But my revision is kinda like for private use right now)

I could consider allowing my text to be used, provided credit is given, [* provided that your revision would be legal under United States copyright law *], and that it would be used for non-commercial purposes.
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#7
Actually, never mind about my text. Because, to be honest, [I just recently realized that] I don't know from what sources your Aramaic New Testament translation derives from, therefore, I just can't participate in your revised text. Sorry. (Kinda paranoid about possible liability).
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#8
I really need to master reading the Serto and Estrangelo scripts <!-- sHuh --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/huh.gif" alt="Huh" title="Huh" /><!-- sHuh --> . I'm not planning on using only Dukhrana, but also consulting Jennings, Smith, Magiera, and The Way. I'm not going to copy them word-for-word though. I just had a similar experience with David Bauscher, who didn't want me to quote his translation because I was, in his view, exploiting the work of a dead man (now I know how Roth felt).
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