> 1. Are the original Persian writings written in an archaic or otherwise
> nonstandard form of that language?
> 2. Are any revised translations in preparation, or have any been made? Since
> the original writings are not in English, the translation itself is not a
> sacred document, is it?
The Guardian deliberately selected different styles for the
translations of the Writings of the Bab, Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha.
Those styles were selected to reflect the tone of the original text.
They are as accurate a translation from Arabic and/or Persian as
possible, regardless of the style. The style of English selected by
the Guardian will continue to be used in future translations.
Believe me, to do a word for word translation between Arabic/Persian
and English does not work. I have attempted to read "literal"
translations of a different Persian poets -- the English translation
is complete gibberish.
The translation, itself whether in English, Spanish, French, or any of
the other 200+ language into which Baha'i Scripture has been
translated, remains scripture.
Michael Eissinger
Los Angeles