Form & Meaning

Form & Meaning

An introduction for Bible translators

Explore each page through clicks to gain a foundation in Form & Meaning.

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Objectives

What is the purpose of language?

To convey meaning

To communicate

What is Form & Meaning?

Watch this video to learn about the differences of form and meaning in language.

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TRUE

or

FALSE

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Question 1/5

Form & Meaning

Form refers to the grammar, syntax, and sounds of a language.

False

True

Question 1/5

Form & Meaning

True! Form is the "container" of each language. It differs in sound, grammar, syntax, etc. In translation, the form changes.

Next Question

True

Question 2/5

Form & Meaning

A translator must never change the form when translating.

False

True

Question 2/5

Form & Meaning

False! Remember that form is specific to a culture, so when translating, one must choose what is correct for the other culture.

Next Question

False

Question 3/5

Form & Meaning

A translator must preserve the meaning from one language to another.

False

True

Question 3/5

Form & Meaning

True, translators must do their best to keep the same meaning from language to language. The form does change, but the meaning stays the same.

Next Question

True

Question 4/5

Form & Meaning

Meaning and form are equally important in translating from one language to another language.

False

True

Question 4/5

Form & Meaning

False! Remember basic principles of language: Meaning is the most important thing in translation.

Next Question

False

Question 5/5

Form & Meaning

If you are not sure the meaning is correct in your translation, return to the original language and ask "What was the intended meaning?"

False

True

Question 5/5

Form & Meaning

True! The original language is always the source for meaning. Choose the best form in the other language to communicate the meaning.

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True

Form and Meaning in Pictures

Form of Language A

Form and Meaning in Pictures

Meaning

Form and Meaning in Pictures

Form of Language A

Meaning

Form of Language B

Meaning

Form and Meaning in Pictures

Meaning

Form of Language C

Form of Language B

Meaning

Form of Language A

Meaning

Form and Meaning in Pictures

French

Bonjour!

English

Hi!

Teribe

Miga Miga!

Basic Principles of Laguage

Form & Meaning Quiz

Identify examples of form and meaning

Question 1/3

Form & Meaning Quiz

What is different about the form in this example? English: I am 21 years old. Spanish: Tengo 21 años. Russian: Мне 21 год.

Ways to say your age in different languages

The meaning stays the same in each language

The words are different in each langauge

Question 2/3

Form & Meaning Quiz

What is different about the form in this example?English: It is raining. French: Il pleut. Russian: Идет дождь.

The meaning stays the same in each language

The number of words is different in some of the languages

The languages rhyme with each other

Question 3/3

Form & Meaning Quiz

Read this English idiom: "I said the first thing that popped into my head." What is the most important thing to do when translating this idiom?

Keep the form the same

Translate the idiom word-for-word

Keep the meaning the same

Congratulations!

You understand the difference between form and meaning!

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Form & Meaning

Congratulations! You have completed an introduction on form and meaning for Bible translators.

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