The translation of God's Word from the original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek is a task unlike any other and should never be taken lightly. It carries with it the heaviest responsibility: the translator renders God's thoughts into a modern language. The Updated American Standard Version (UASV) is a literal translation. As the translator begins to construct his English sentence, he will adjust according to the context of the words surrounding the text under consideration. The translator must transition the words from the Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek order, to the correct English grammar and syntax. This is the delicate balance of how close the translator adheres to the Hebrew or Greek word order in the English translation. The reader will find that the UASV will allow a little roughness for the reader, which we feel to be an acceptable sacrifice, as we believe that meaning is conveyed by the word order at times. An overly simplified example might be Christ Jesus as opposed to Jesus Christ, with the former focusing on the office (“Christ” anointed one), while the latter focuses on the person. It is impossible always to follow the word order of the original in the English translation. However, the translator will attempt to stay as close as possible to the effective and persuasive use that the style of the original language permits. In other words, what is actually stated in the original language is rendered into the English equivalent, as well as the way that it is said, as far as possible. This is why the literal translation is known as a “formal equivalence.” As the literal translation, “is designed so as to reveal as much of the original form as possible.” (Ray 1982, 47)
It should be noted that Christian Publishing House favors the literal translation as opposed to the dynamic equivalent, and especially the paraphrase. The literal translation gives us what God said; there is no concealing this by going beyond into the realms of what a translator interprets these words as meaning. God’s Word is meant to be meditated on, pondered over, and absorbed quite slowly; using many tools and helps along the way. While the reader may have to ponder a little longer, or indulge himself in the culture of different biblical times, he will not be deprived of the full potential that a verse has to convey. The dynamic equivalent can and does obscure details/meaning from the reader by overreaching in their translation philosophy. The reader has the right to determine for himself, which is the correct meaning. The translator should not deprive the reader of this right, for the dynamic equivalent translator could be wrong. This updated edition is an improvement of the translated text beyond the American Standard’s revision of the King James Version. However, the UASV offers a complete updating and revision of the archaic words, obsolete expressions, and the handful of errors in translation, as well as any textual decisions.
