Edward wrote:"Personally, I have NEVER bought any of those items because I find their "interpretation" of English to be HORRIBLE. It is as bad as Fr. Laurence of Jordanville."
Your conclusions of their translations only illustrate your own ignorance of the English language. Anybody can find mistakes in any translation, including those of HTM, Jordanville, or Reader Issac Lambertson. However, from viewing your website, you seem to advocate the OCA English translations, which are probably some of the worst and most ridiculous out there. HTM's, Jordanville's, and Lambertson's translations certainly better reflect the meaning of the original Greek or Slavonic than your own alternatives. They also at least have a certain consistency and beauty as well. The OCA's standard of using "Thee, Thy, and Thou" for God, but "You" for everybody else is their own innovation. It does not reflect the grammar of Greek or Slavonic, which always uses 2nd person singular (Thee) in refering to God, the Theotokos, or an individual Saint. Secondly, in the English tradition, the same is the case in the KJV Bible and liturgical texts of the Anglican Church, upto the 1970s.
I currently attend and sing in the choir of an OCA Church, and there is so much textual inconsistency even when refering to God, sometimes using "Thee" othertimes "You". Sometimes, I would rather use Slavonic.
In all things, we ought to give our best to God, this should include our language. Many say that the English language is in decline, others that it is an inferior language to those of antiquity, but this could be further from the truth. The problem is not the langugage but those who speak the language and the fact that the vocabulary of the native English speaker is sadly in decline.
I would say that HTM, Jordanville, or Lambertson offer Orthodox Christians translations that attempt to illustrate the best of the English language and a style that is prayerful, reverent, and beautiful, while maintaining the meaning of Greek or Slavonic. This does not tend to be case with the translations coming out of the OCA or the Greek Archdiocese.Edward
Writing from Russia....
Hey Ed, have you ever bothered to take the time to buy one of the books on my site or to write and ask me how many edits my books went through before I published them? Before judging my work, ask me what my standards are and who were the translators and editors.
For a fact I know that both Lambertson and Fr. Laurence did not have a standard by which they interpreted their "translations." They used "wehat sounded good." I was told this by one of the members of the ROCA translation committee (of which there are only three people).
So Eddy, before throwing stones, do a little research. Send me the money and buy something for you to see what I "advocate."
As for me never buying anything from HTM, I don't contribute to the DNC either because I do not countenance liars. I will not send my hard earned cash to a place that is guilty of immoral acts.
Nicholas
