dynamic equivalence, RIP

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Jun 15, 2006

Dynamic equivalence has become an outmoded idea.

Would you like to hear that again? So would I:

Dynamic equivalence has become an outmoded idea.

And that quote comes not from some nasty old American curmudgeon, but from the chairman of ICEL, in an address to the US bishops.

Alleluia! [Dynamic-equivalent translation: "Neat-o!"]

The death of dynamic equivalence has always been "a consummation devoutly to be wished." [DET: "a good thing"]

Let's overlook the question of how this approach to liturgical translation could become "outmoded," when it was never really "moded" in the first place. Winners should always be gracious, so let's just take a cup of kindness to [DET: "our old buddies."]