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4.3 KiB
Markdown
66 lines
4.3 KiB
Markdown
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### Description
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The decimal point, or decimal comma, is a mark placed to the left of a number to show that the number refers to part of a whole number. For example .1 meter is not a whole meter but is only one tenth of a meter and .5 meter is not five meters, but is only five tenths of a meter. 3.7 meters is three and seven tenths of a meter. Numbers like these are used in the *Unlocked Dynamic Bible* (UDB).
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In some countries people use a decimal point, and in other countries people use a decimal comma. So translators in countries that use a decimal comma would write "3.7 meters" as "3,7 meters." In some cultures people prefer fractions. (see [Fractions](../translate-fraction/01.md))
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In the Unlocked Dynamic Bible (UDB) parts of a number are written as decimals or fractions. When they are used with a measurement such as meters, grams, and liters, the are usually written as decimals.
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#### Decimal Numbers in the UDB
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| Decimal | Fraction | Simpler Fraction |
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| -------- | -------- | -------- |
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|.1 |one tenth | |
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|.2 |two tenths | one fifth |
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|.3 |three tenths | |
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|.4 |four tenths | two fifths|
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|.5 |five tenths | one half |
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|.6 |six tenths | three fifths |
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|.7 |seven tenths | |
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|.8 |eight tenths | four fifths |
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|.9 |nine tenths | |
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|.25 |twenty-five one hundredths | one fourth |
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|.75 |seventy-five one hundredths | three fourths |
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### Reasons this is a translation issue
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* If translators want to use the measures in the UDB, they will need to be able to understand the decimal numbers that are used with them.
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* Translators will need to write the numbers in a way that their readers will understand them.
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### Examples from the Bible
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For telling about parts of a number, the Unlocked Literal Bible (ULB) uses fractions, and the Unlocked Dynamic Bible (UDB) uses mostly decimals when the number is used with a measurement. Another difference between the ULB and the UDB is that when measuring [Biblical Distance](../translate-bdistance/01.md), [Biblical Weight](../translate-bweight/01.md), and [Biblical Volume](../translate-bvolume/01.md), they use different systems, so the numbers in the ULB and the UDB are not the same for these measures.
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>They are to make an ark of acacia wood. Its length must be <u>two and a half cubits</u>; its width will be <u>one cubit and a half</u>; and its height will be <u>one cubit and a half</u>. (Exodus 25:10 ULB)
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The ULB uses the fraction "half." The phrases "two and a half cubits ... one cubit and a half" can be written as "2.5 cubits ... 1.5 cubits."
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>They are to make an ark of acacia wood. Its length must be <u>one meter</u>; its width will be <u>0.7 meter</u>; and its height will be <u>0.7 meter</u> high. (Exodus 25:10)
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Here the decimal 0.7 is used. This equals seven tenths.
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Two and a half cubits is about one meter.
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One and a half cubits is about .7 meter or seven tenths of a meter.
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### Translation Strategies
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* Decide whether you want to use only fractions, only decimals, or a combination of the two.
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* Decide whether you want to use the measures given in the ULB or the UDB or some other kind of measures.
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* If you decide to use fractions and the measures in the ULB, simply translate the numbers and measures in the ULB.
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* If you decide to use decimals and the measures in the UDB, simply translate the numbers and measures in the UDB.
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1. If you decide to use decimals and the measures in the ULB, you will need to change the fractions in the ULB to decimals.
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1. If you decide to use fractions and the measures in the UDB, you will need to change the decimals in the UDB to fractions.
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### Examples of Translation Strategies Applied
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1. If you decide to use decimals and the measures in the ULB, you will need to change the fractions in the ULB to decimals.
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* **<u>three-tenths of an ephah</u> of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering, and <u>one log</u> of oil.** (Leviticus 14:10 ULB)
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* <u>0.3 ephah</u> of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering, and <u>one log</u> of oil.
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1. If you decide to use fractions and the measures in the UDB, you will need to change the decimals in the UDB to fractions.
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* **<u>about 6.5 liters</u> of a fine flour offering, mixed with olive oil, to be an offering, and about <u>one third liter</u> of olive oil.** (Leviticus 14:10 UDB)
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* <u>about six and a half liters</u> of a fine flour offering, mixed with olive oil, to be an offering, and about <u>one third liter</u> of olive oil.
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