Toward a Code of Ethics in Bible Translation

Abstract

As Bible translation slowly develops into a discipline of its own, ethical standards need to be defined. In functional and skopos-oriented translation theories, an obligatory work plan gives support to expressing and regulating the expectations, capabilities and the contextual environments of a Bible translation project. Such agreements should also describe a code of ethics to which all agree. The interdisciplinary and professional nature of Bible translation leads increasingly to a collection of expertise that also requires an ethical framework to guarantee mutual understanding. Balancing out divine intervention against human responsibility is foundational to a code of ethics in Bible translation with Scripture-internal (emic), outward-oriented (etic) and mediating ethical aspects. To deal with the ethics of translating a text of divine origin, the author presents a perspective on the notion of divine inspiration that he calls impact-inspiration. A general code of ethics in Bible translation states the general but minimal agreements of those involved in Bible translation, and an individual code of ethics in Bible translation builds on the former and states the ethical agreement in Bible translation projects as part of a work plan.