I’m not an
expert in translation theory, but experience has taught me a couple of things.
First of all, a mastery of both source and target languages is the fundamental
prerequisite for the work of translation. By mastery, I mean the ability to
engage in simultaneous translation from one language to the other, unaided by a
dictionary.
The mechanisms by which this skill level is attained are various. Mastery of a modern language usually requires full immersion of 8 to 16 months. Or bilingualism may be accomplished in fits and spurts, as in the case of my children, whose mother tongue (literally) is Italian, but whose primary language outside of the home is English. Their Italian is latent most of the time, but comes out fine and continues to improve in an Italian-only environment, as when in Italy with cugini e amici.
In the case of
an ancient language, a degree of bilingualism can be attained and should be
attempted. Trained in the old school, I did all the English-to-Hebrew exercises
in Jacob Weingreen’s Classical Hebrew Composition (Oxford: Clarendon,
1966 [1959]) under the tutelage of Menahem Mansoor. Those of us who did this
sweat bullets along the way, but I know of no better way to attain bilingualism
than by moving from source to target language and back again. Want to get good
at translating from Hebrew to English? Learn to translate from English to
Hebrew.
The other way
was listening to audio tapes of portions of the Tanakh until I got to the point
where I could understand what was being said both word-for-word and in terms of
Gestalt perception, such that I could translate from the tape simultaneously. It
is also an excellent way to memorize Scripture. Thanks to Gary Martin of the Academy of Ancient Languages, anyone may do this today from the comfort of their home. Go here.
Mansoor liked to tell his students the story of an atheist he knew in Israel who knew all the psalms by heart. It was an effective way of needling pious Christians into doing likewise. He gave me a pocket edition of the Psalms in Hebrew as a gift, and clearly expected me to memorize as many of the Psalms as I could. He also liked to tell us the story (perhaps apocryphal) of the first students of divinity at Yale (or was it Harvard?) who were required to memorize Psalm 23 in Hebrew so that, if and when they made it to heaven, they could chime in with the angels.
More here.
I must thank you for that wonderful link! I had been looking for this very thing for the longest time: an opportunity to listen to Tanakh on my iPod (my חי־פוד, as I call it). Thankyou!
Posted by: Simon Holloway | February 19, 2007 at 06:43 AM
Talking of Weingreen’s "Classical Hebrew Composition", does anyone know where answers for it might be found? I don't have teachers or collaborators available to work with here, and posting answers off into the void isn't terribly helpful.
Posted by: The Mad Hungarian | March 28, 2008 at 01:55 AM
If you send them this way, I'll correct them for you. But you will need to send me text in both languages, since I no longer own a copy of the volume in question. For my email, go under "about."
Posted by: JohnFH | March 28, 2008 at 04:51 PM
Hi i know that this has nothing to with poetry but i would love to know how to translate in hebrew writing " I love my parents." thank you so much!
Posted by: Sundey | April 20, 2009 at 07:21 PM
I couldn't agree more with this excellent post. Memorizing the Hebrew text is an amazing way to learn it. You will see connections between words and passages that you just won't see otherwise. And (at least trying) to learn Hebrew properly and be bilingual will give you far, far more helpful insights into the Hebrew text than any number of academic grammars. You need to get *inside* the language to understand the text. So what if it takes 8 to 16 months of study? If you start when you are 18, by 20 you'll be fluent enough. Start when you are 60, and by 62 you'll be fluent enough, then have 20+ years to enjoy the Hebrew Bible fully!
Posted by: Hebrew Scholar | July 28, 2009 at 09:48 AM
Hi just wondered if u would b able to mail me the translation for these 3 words blue star and ocean thank u
Sincerly emma
Posted by: Emma | December 29, 2009 at 04:39 PM
hi there, i was just wondering if you could translate "ill love you forever" into hebre for me? thankyou.
Posted by: shannon | January 24, 2010 at 08:27 PM
I was wondering if you could translate 3 words for me please: mother, wife, daughter.
Thanks
Posted by: Meredith | January 29, 2010 at 08:57 PM
can you translate "i can do all things through christ who strengthens me" thankk youu
Posted by: shelby | February 22, 2010 at 09:49 PM
Hi can you translate 'love live life' for me please? Thanks!
Posted by: Nicole | March 16, 2010 at 02:59 PM
Would you please translate the following quote for me: "flesh of my flesh" as well as "heart of my heart". It would be highly appreciated.
Thank you.
Posted by: Amanda | April 07, 2010 at 05:30 PM
Hi there,
just wondering if you would be able to translate
"do not fear" into Hebrew for me. It would be much appreciated! Thank you so much :)
Posted by: Rebecca | May 12, 2010 at 04:47 PM
i would like "myra macdonald" translated please it would mean alot
Posted by: rachael macdonald | August 13, 2010 at 04:27 PM
I'm sorry, but could you translate the 10 words:
Fire
Air
Water
Earth
Metal
Spirit
Wood
Void
God
Hecate
for me please. It's for a very intricate and important tattoo. Thank you :)
Posted by: Steven | August 27, 2010 at 01:01 AM
can you translate "forever is now" ?
Posted by: Hildur Sif Hauksdóttir | September 27, 2010 at 07:58 AM
Please could you translate "my precious sons always loved" and separatley translate "Alfie and Billy"? Thank you
Posted by: Emma | October 02, 2010 at 10:43 AM
Hi sorry me again, please can you translate "my precious sons always loved and cherished". Please can you let me know how accurate this is as I have checked a few translation websites on the net and they have come out different! this is for a tattoo so really want to have this right. Thank you
Posted by: Emma | October 03, 2010 at 01:27 PM
hi, can you please translate"one life one opportunity no regret" thank-you so much
Posted by: emilee | March 28, 2011 at 10:01 PM
HI could you please translate I am my loves and my love is mine
kind regards
sarah
Posted by: sarah | April 25, 2011 at 10:31 AM
Hi - Can someone pls send me a link or let me know how to translate from english to hebrew. checked online everywhere but ut doesnt seem possible.
Posted by: Jens | May 11, 2011 at 02:54 PM
Im getting a tattoo for my grandpa, can you translate for me?. " He is a refuge in times of trouble, he cares for those who trust in him
Posted by: Tyler | September 09, 2011 at 02:54 PM
Hello, Ive been trying to get something translated into Hebrew, but I dont want it to be the modern script, I would like the Rashi script. I will be writing it in vertical rows, and would like the numbers to be translated to the numerical values as well. If you could help me, that would be wonderful!
My Lord forever
Nathan Abraham 11 16 1984
Sophia Joy 11 20 2009
Scarlett Ann 8 16 2011
Posted by: Christina Abraham | April 15, 2012 at 03:12 PM
Hi im looking to translate: Let him that is without sin cast the first stone.
I have looked everywhere for the translation without sucess. thank you for your time :)
Posted by: Haylie | September 22, 2012 at 02:16 PM
Can you please translate from english to hebrew "Eternal love"
Posted by: Sarah Darcy | January 03, 2013 at 06:20 AM
Hi can you translate serenity from English to Hebrew.
Thanks!
Posted by: Mari Munoz | January 08, 2013 at 11:02 PM
Can you please translate '' Help does who are in need, especially does who are in pain'' please? It's such a beautiful language. Thank you.
Posted by: jolene | April 04, 2013 at 04:07 PM
Could you please translate ,
" Let me deal with my fear "
Thanks and regards....
Posted by: Rakhi | January 11, 2020 at 05:55 PM