> Is translation into ones mother tongue an essential part of
> exegesis? I am beginning to have strong doubts about this.
> I have a growing suspicion that translation into English
> teaches you more about English than it does about the
> ancient text.
Unless one is a native speaker of koine, it as at least an inevitable
stage in learning it. Further, unless one conducted all one's discussions
in koine, the need to translate would still arise. And, even if one went
this far, it would then be necessary to translate (and argue) terms from
other languages into koine (e.g. from English and German) or to invent
(and argue) new koine terms.
In my opinion, one of the strengths of this list is its broad participation.
Part of its purpose is to nurture people at various levels of technical
competency. There are lists which are purely for academic grammarians
if that would more closely match your personal interests.
Having said that, I, too, have the feeling, which grows ever stronger,
that texts such as these should *only* be studied in the original languages.
Of course, this wouldn't solve all problems, indeed, it would raise many
new ones.
Will Wagers taxis@gte.net "Reality is the best metaphor."