Sacred sources: the Tripitaka and the Bible
Answers are for parents and teachers.
1
Compile a short chronology of translations of the three sacred sources (at least 5 dates).
For example: Septuagint (3rd–2nd century BC), Vulgate (4th–5th century), Ostroh edition (1581), Mandalay council (1871), Uzbek Bible (2017).
2
Explain the difference between “text” and “interpretation” with an example.
Text is the written words; interpretation is their explanation. As different readers explain a poem differently, religious texts also have different interpretations.
3
Why is the history of translations important for studying cross-cultural contacts?
Translation shows languages, ideas and texts passing from one people to another.
4
Write in a table which texts are connected with Pali, Hebrew, ancient Greek and Arabic.
Pali – Tripitaka; Hebrew – Old Testament/Tanakh; Greek – New Testament; Arabic – Qur’an.
5
Using the lesson’s information on Bible translations, write in 3–4 sentences why translating a text is a valuable task.
Translation brings a text to new readers, but the translator’s choices and explanations affect the result.