ONE-MAN VERSIONS OF MARK AND THE PSALMS

This is a study of the work of some seventy of the many hundreds of translators of the Bible, in whole or in part, into English during this century. Style, with particular emphasis on diction, is the major concern, though other aspects can be touched on at times, as well as methods of translation. Part one deals with versions of Mark into English prose, and part two with versions of the Psalms into English verse forms. The translations are grouped according to the aims and purposes of the translator and/or the type of language he employs. First a short passage is analysed- generally Mark 1:1-11 or Psalm 23- and then a larger body of text is examined and the various levels of diction and phrasing are noted with examples cited of each. Some evaluation occurs, set against the criteria of comprehensibility and suitability of the style to the subject-matter, to the style of the original, and to th