Re: English translation of the writings
gpoirier (gpoirier@acca.nmsu.edu)
Thu, Apr 20 1995 16:23:59 GMT
> Since
> the original writings are not in English,
> the translation itself is not a
> sacred document, is it?
Well, that's an interesting question. On the one hand, Shoghi Effendi made
certain statements in writing that indicate that he anticipated future
translations would modify some of his translation work. To my knowledge,
however, to date none of the official translations have done so. I think
that this is because translation is a highly interpretive endeavor.
Shoghi Effendi's translations are special because he was appointed as the
interpreter of the word of God. The Baha'is who can read the original
Writings of Baha'u'llah in Persian and in Arabic, eagerly read the
translations of Shoghi Effendi, because they shed so much light on the
meaning of the Text.
Brent