Project – For Future Reference
Literal Semantic/Linguistic Analysis-Based Bible Translation
Hypothesis:
The nature of human language is such that the apparent inerrancy current Biblical translations is unjustifiable. Linguistics indicates that words often do not have identical semantics or meanings between different people. Thus, a sentence read by one individual, could potentially mean something completely different when read by another. Thus, by the very structure of language itself, written words are never 100% inerrant.
Therefore, even if the Bible is truly divinely inspired by the “Holy Spirit and the Lord” as is formally claimed by Christians, it is impossible to be certain that what is written is what is meant. Nothing short of direct revelation by God, telepathically transferring meaning to mind, would be sufficient.
As God has chosen not to use that approach, the next best thing is to try to devise as accurate semantically, a translation of Divine Inspiration, as possible.
There are two methods by which to undertake this task. One is to try to take the closest possible translation to the original words. This most likely will be in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Taking into account that such languages were at the time ancient, and therefore unable to contain modern information, such as scientific concepts, a modernization of the wording will be needed. Furthermore, many metaphors appear to be commonly misinterpreted, and should be literalized.
The alternative to the scientifically literal semantic method, is the Latent Semantic Analysis method. Using a significantly advanced version of the LSA computational program, integrating grammar knowledge and meaning awareness, as well as capacity for all the original languages, it may be possible to produce a Semantically accurate English translation without errant human interference.
Both methods are still susceptible to failure, and should not replace the current translations in use, but rather act as a sort of experiment in understanding God.
Limited Translation Attempt Using NIV:
Genesis 1
1 At the beginning God created the universe and the earth.
2 Now the earth was formless and empty, the unknown was everywhere within the depths of space, and the Consciousness of God was observing all matter.
3 And God thought, "Let there be knowledge," and there was knowledge. 4 God saw that the knowledge was good, and He separated the knowledge from the unknown. 5 God called the knowledge "order," and the unknown he called "chaos." And chaos became order at day one.
6 And God thought, "Let there be an expanse between the matter to separate matter from matter." 7 So God made the expanse and separated the matter and the expanse between the matter around it. And it happened over time. 8 God called the expanse "space." And chaos became order during the second day.