> >The phrase 'direct from God' is not in the original. The original literally
> >says whoso layeth claim to a *Cause.*
>
> Why didn't they translate it that way? I know there are several things they
> are looking to do in translation, but I'm not sure why they couldn't have
> been more exact here.
One day, someone will write a doctoral dissertation on the style of
translation of Shoghi Effendi. A lot can be learned from his
translations.
For example, I find most translations of the Qur'an to be stilted, and not
to communicate spiritual realities very well. There are exceptions, but
the early translations in particular had a very limited English vocabulary
into which they would translate the Text. Shoghi Effendi is not bound by
such constraints, and his translations from the Arabic don't read like
translations. Ruhiyyih Khanum describes this reception to a gift copy of
his translation of the Dawn-Breakers from an eminent professor:
"... there can be no doubt that the letter which Sir E. Denison Ross, the
well-known Orientalist, wrote to [Shoghi Effendi] from the School of
Oriental Studies of the University of London was the most highly prized
tribute he received: 'My dear Shoghi Effendi ... as for your English
style, it really could not be bettered, and never does it read like a
translation. Allow me to convey my warmest congratualtions on your most
successful achievement of what you set out to do when you came to Oxford,
namely, to attain a perfect command of our language.'" (The Priceless
Pearl, p. 216)
Shoghi Effendi's translations are interpretive. To a degree, every
translation is interpretive, but his are, par excellence, a guide to a
correct understanding of the Text.
In the instance under discussion, the word in the original is 'amr.
Wehr's Dictionary gives these translations: Order, command, instruction,
ordinance, decree, power, authority, imperative, royal decree, edict;
sovereign power, full power, supreme authority; at your disposal, at your
service; matter, affair, concern, business, common knowledge; at first, in
the beginning.
So this word encompasses a range of concepts. Shoghi Effendi's
translations of 'amr include:
cause: the Cause of God
will: I have clung to no will but Thy Will
stronghold: the mighty stronghold shall remain impregnable
command: the wisdom of every command shall be tested
ordinance: observe every ordinance
decree: every irrevocable decree expounded
sentence: sentence Him to death
law: what law could be their stay and guide?
bidden: blessed the man that observeth that whereunto
he was bidden
behest: Thy behest summoned this servant
obligation: a twofold obligation resteth upon him
Revelation: this is a Revelation to which whatever ye possess
can never be compared
message: proclaim His Message
Faith: utter the same speech, and proclaim the same Faith.
thing: every hidden thing hath been brought to light
proof: can any of thy ministers ... produce any proof
matter: that the truth of the matter may be made clear
enterprise: so awful an enterprise
undertaking: this supreme and noble undertaking
weight: no one will accept to bear the weight of kingship
hold fast: hold fast to that which is good
moving Pen: whose verses have streamed from the moving Pen
breath: the very breath of these souls
dominion: armed with the rod of celestial dominion
message: Revealers of a new Message
power: Had it been in My power
path: stood unwaveringly firm in His Path
happenings: Hath any age witnessed such momentous happenings?
incident: For years no untoward incident hath occurred
episode: that episode of his life
ways: the ways of those that preceded Him
authority: such as to subvert the authority of the government
summoned: we were summoned to depart
before all else: He must, before all else, cleanse his heart
early: in His early days
first time: this is not the first time that
source: from the Mystic Source there came the summons
fountain: Him Who is the Fountain of wisdom
moderation: transgress the limits of moderation
task: Any king who will arise and carry out this task
matters: Matters have come to such a pass
mission: this mission is a great mission
Shoghi Effendi's role in this world was to communicate with the human
soul. He needed to produce the language that would be the best vehicle
for the transmittal of divine grace through the Word of God to the soul of
the reader.
A revelation "direct from God" is implicit in the Baha'i term of art
"revelation" by a Manifestation. It makes it clear that He is not talking
about inspiration, or intuition, or dreams or visions individuals receive.
He is talking about those who claim a Revelation from God. And that is
not a process we can understand.
I hope this is helpful.
Brent
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