From 768c802a2ea2a0637dc4d662138f357058acea24 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Susan Quigley Date: Wed, 17 May 2017 12:44:53 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] Update hyperbole - Hyperbole vs Generalization vs completely true https://git.door43.org/susanquigley/susan-en-ta-may.15.2017/commits/master/translate/figs-hyperbole/01.md --- translate/figs-hyperbole/01.md | 33 +++++++++++++++++++++------------ 1 file changed, 21 insertions(+), 12 deletions(-) diff --git a/translate/figs-hyperbole/01.md b/translate/figs-hyperbole/01.md index 7dfabc1..42903dd 100644 --- a/translate/figs-hyperbole/01.md +++ b/translate/figs-hyperbole/01.md @@ -2,15 +2,21 @@ ### Description -Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which the speaker describes it as larger or more extreme than it really is. There are two kinds of hyperbole: +Many statements can be understood as completely true, as generalizations, or as examples of hyperbole. This is because the wording is often exactly the same. -**Exaggeration**: This is when a speaker deliberately describes something by an extreme or even unreal statement, usually to show his strong feeling or opinion about it. + * It rains here every night. + +1. This is completely true if it really does rain here every night. +2. It is a generalization if it is mostly true because it rains here most nights. +3. It is a hyperbole if it is not nearly true, but the speaker said it perhaps because it rains here more often than he likes. + +**Hyperbole**: This is a figure of speech that uses **exaggeration**. A speaker deliberately describes something by an extreme or even unreal statement, usually to show his strong feeling or opinion about it. He expects people to understand that he is exaggerating. >They will not leave one stone upon another (Luke 19:44 ULB) * This is an exaggeration. It means that the enemies will completely destroy Jerusalem. -**Generalization:** This is when a speaker makes a statement, but does not mean that it is true in every situation that it could apply to. +**Generalization:** This is a statement that is true most of the time or in most situations that it could apply to. >The one who ignores instruction will have poverty and shame, >but honor will come to him who learns from correction. (Proverbs 13:18) @@ -21,7 +27,7 @@ Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which the speaker describes it as larger or m * This generalization tells about what most Gentiles did. -Even though a generalization may have a strong-sounding word like "all," "always," "none," or "never," it does not necessarliy mean **exactly** "all," "always," "none," or "never." It could simply mean "most, "most of the time," "hardly any" or "rarely." +Even though a generalization may have a strong-sounding word like "all," "always," "none," or "never," it does not necessarliy mean **exactly** "all," "always," "none," or "never." It simply means "most, "most of the time," "hardly any" or "rarely." >Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians (Acts 7:22 ULB) @@ -29,7 +35,9 @@ Even though a generalization may have a strong-sounding word like "all," "always #### Reason this is a translation issue -Not all languages use hyperbole for the same reasons. If readers do not understand that a statement is a hyperbole, they may either think that something happened that did not happen, or they may think that the speaker or writer was saying something that is not true. +1. Readers need to be able to understand whether or not a statement is completely true. +2. If readers realize that a statement is not completely true, they need to be able to understand whether it is a hyperbole, a generalization, or a lie. (Though the Bible is completely true, it tells about people who did not always tell the truth.) + ### Examples from the Bible @@ -55,14 +63,17 @@ The disciples told Jesus that everyone was looking looking for him. They probabl #### Caution -Do not assume that something is hyperbole just because it seems to be impossible. God does miraculous things. +Do not assume that something is an exaggeration just because it seems to be impossible. God does miraculous things. >… they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat … (John 6:19 ULB) This is not hyperbole. Jesus really walked on the water. It is a literal statement. ->… for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23 ULB) +Do not assume that the word "all" is always a generalization that means "most." -The word "all" here is not hyperbole. All humans have sinned. The only human who has never sinned is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. +>Yahweh is righteous in all his ways +>and gracious in all he does. (Psalms 145:17 ULB) + +Yahweh is always righteous. This is a completely true statement. ### Translation Strategies @@ -77,11 +88,9 @@ If the exaggeration or generalization would be natural and people would understa ### Examples of Translation Strategies Applied 1. Express the meaning without the exaggeration. - - * **If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers and sisters–yes, and his own life also–he cannot be my disciple.** (Luke 14:26 ULB) - * "If anyone comes to me and does not love me much more than he loves his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers and sisters–yes, and his own life also–he cannot be my disciple." + * **The Philistines gathered together to fight against Israel: thirty thousand chariots, six thousand men to drive the chariots, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore.** (1 Samuel 13:5 ULB) - * "The Philistines gathered together to fight against Israel: thirty thousand chariots, six thousand men to drive the chariots, and a great number of troops." + * The Philistines gathered together to fight against Israel: thirty thousand chariots, six thousand men to drive the chariots, and a great number of troops. 2. For a generalization, show that it is a generalization by using a phrase like "in general" or "in most cases."