[T]he translation methodology of dynamic equivalence (the use of whatever expressions will have deep practical and symbolic resonance in the target language, instead of imposing the source language’s culture as a standard) is deeply respectful and not basically different from the most esteemed, successful literary translation between developed-world languages of equal or near equal prestige.
–Sarah Ruden, “A Translator on Translation” a review of Is That a Fish in Your Ear?: Translation and the Meaning of Everything by David Bellos (Faber and Faber, 2011) in Books & Culture (March/April 2012), 14.
It’s time we put the debate within some circles of biblical studies over formal and dynamic equivalence to rest. They are different methods suited for different purposes. But when it comes down to it I really don’t want to read large chunks from formally equivalent translations.
By the way, I read everything Sarah Ruden produces–she’s fantastic. For instance, check out her book on Paul, Paul Among the People.