Eugene Nida was a pioneering American linguist born in 1914 in Oklahoma who specialized in Bible translation. Over his career, he authored several influential books on translation theory and practice and advocated an approach called "dynamic equivalence" or "functional equivalence" that prioritized accurately communicating the meaning of the original text over literal word-for-word translation. Nida retired in 1980 but continued lecturing until his death in 2011 at age 96 in Brussels, Belgium.

2. Born: November 11, 1914 in Oklahoma City, USA.
Died: August 25, 2011 in Brussels, Belgium.
Profession: Linguist
Specialized on: Bible Translation.
Woks: Linguistic Interludes (1947)
Towards a Science of Translating (1964)
The Theory and Practice of Translation (1969)
Contexts in Translating (2002)

3. Joined the Wycliffe Was ordained a
Bible Translators Baptist minister.
1914 1936 1939 1943 1980 2011
E. Nida Graduated Obtained a Received his Ph.D. Retired but Died at the
was born from Master’s Degree in Linguistics in continued giving age of 96
the U. of in New the U. of Michigan lectures in
California Testament Greek universities
in the U. of Began his career in around the world.
Southern the American Bible
California Society

4. The father of
Dynamic Equivalence or
Functional Equivalence

5. ¨Quality of a translation in which the
message of the original text has been
so transported into the receptor
language that the response of the
receptor is essentially like that of the
original receptors.¨
Eugene Nida
The Theory and Practice of Translation

6. 1. Reproducing the message.
2. Equivalence rather than identity.
3. Natural Equivalent.
4. The closest equivalent.
5. The priority of meaning.
6. The significance of style.
7. A system of priorities.
*Contextual consistency over verbal consistency
* Dynamic equivalence over formal correspondence
* The aural form over the written form
* Form which are understandable to audience over
traditionally more prestigious ones.

7.  Focuses on the message itself, in  Sense-for-sense translation.
both form and content.  Not so concerned with matching the
 Word-for-word translation. receptor-language message with the
 The receptor language should source language message.
match as close as possible the  Aims at complete naturalness of
different elements in the source expression.
language.  Relates the receptor to modes of
 Literal translation. behavior relevant within the context
of his own culture.
EXAMPLE
¨Heap coals of fire on his head¨ EXAMPLE
(Romans: 12:20) To make someone ashamed of his behavior.

8. WORD-FOR-WORD SENSE-FOR-SENSE
¨Then he (John) suffered him (Jesus).¨ ¨So John agreed.¨
Matt. 3:15c
¨our flesh had no relief¨ ¨we did not have any rest¨
2 Cor. 7:5
¨for thus it becometh us to fulfill ¨For in this way we shall do all
all righteousness¨ that God requires.¨
Matt. 3:15
¨that thou mayest be justified ¨you must be shown right when
you in thy words.¨ speak.¨
Romans 3:4