Do YOu THink Reading a Bilingual Bible is a good exercise ?
I have seen a few places recommend reading a bi-lingual bilble. Obviously any reading is good - anyone particuarly recommend this ?
I would have thought that it is perhaps a bit complicated - particuarly if it is a King James version.
Thoughts and adivce please ?
8 Answers
I think it's a good idea, and do it myself. And I confess: if the sermon in church is boring, this is how I pass the time!
Just keep in mind that you want the Spanish version and the English version to agree very closely or it probably won't be very helpful.
And that is somewhat of a problem for a couple of reasons:
- Whatever two translations you pick are independant translations of the Hebrew and Greek. Thus the Spanish translators and the english translators may have seen things a bit differently.
- The two translations should be based on the same or close to the same Greek and Hebrew texts, or you will have some big discrepancies.
Por ejemplo, there is a parallel bible with the ESV on one side and the 1960 Reina-Valera on the other. The ESV New testament is based on a corrected Greek text that is common to most modern translations: NIV, NASB, etc. But the Reina-Valera New Testament is based on a Greek text that was the first one ever printed on a printing press, done by Desiderius Erasmus in the 1500s. It is close, and there is nothing wrong with it doctrinally, but you will find significant word differences between the two texts. Verses such as 1 John 5:7 or Acts 8:37 will be very different.
I chose the LBLA paired with the NASB, since the NASB is my English translation of choice, and the LBLA agrees closely with it.
If you like NIV, they make it paired with the NVI, which should also be a good match.
And if you really like the old languages, you can get a KJV paired with the 1960 RVR.
It's really helped me to read my Spanish Bible and then review in my English one! So, yes, I think its a good idea!
I believe that reading in Spanish is a great way to incorporate nuevas palabras into your vocabulary. In addition, I agree with Ppmomof 3...there's nothing wrong with multitasking.
I invested in 'Las Chronicas de Narnia.' I already have the English version and they compare pretty closely (since the Spanish is a translation of the English). Plus it's fun, and though I'm not religious I find it interesting to compare the stories. 'A Horse and His Boy' is the easiest, though still a bit complex for me it's helping me to learn.
I started reading a Spanish Bible in February and found it to be very helpful when I had to do work in another country this past June. I attended several church services and was able to follow along for the most part.
Biblical vocabulary is not taught in most Spanish courses, for practical reasons. While reading my Bible, I found myself looking up and learning words I never would have encountered had I not done this. So yes, I think it is a good idea.
I just bought a Bilingual Bible tonight. I bought the NIV/NVI. With all I have to do each day I am hoping that I can kill two birds with one stone by working on my spanish and reading my bible.
I use the parallel Bible with the English NIV and the Spanish NVI. I have found that I have learned a lot of vocabulary just by reading. Sometimes I'm surprised when I know the meaning of a Spanish word, and then I realize I've learned it from reading my Bible. I am also watching the verb conjugations that they use, and this is helping me too. It's just one more daily thing that reinforces and enhances my Spanish learning. So yes, I would recommend it.
no...u should only be brainwashed in one language at a time
