Judaism Quote by Ron Rhodes
““Luther explained his philosophy this way: “I must let the literal words go and try to learn how the German says that which the Hebrew expresses…Whoever would speak German must not use Hebrew style. Rather he must see to it—once he understands the Hebrew author—that he concentrates on the sense of the text, asking himself, ‘Pray tell, what do the Germans say in such a situation?’…Let him drop the Hebrew words and express the meaning freely in the best German he knows.””
About This Quote
When translating, one should abandon literal word‑for‑word rendering and instead convey the original sense in the target language’s natural idiom.
In simple terms: Translate meaning, not words.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize sense over literalism.
Themes
translation
language
communication
interpretation
Mood
analytical
educational
Type
linguistic
practical
When to use this quote
- literary translation
- subtitling
- legal documents
Key Concepts
semantic equivalence
cultural adaptation
Practical Applications
- use dynamic equivalence in translation
- train translators in cultural nuance
Questions to Reflect On
- When does a literal translation become essential?
- How does cultural context shape meaning?
A Different Perspective
Literal fidelity may preserve stylistic features that some audiences value.
