Why Consider Local Genres in Translation?

Abstract

A growing number of scholars and practitioners in Bible translation recognize the importance of considering local genres, although leading textbooks devote relatively little attention to this topic. In the meantime, many practitioners are unsure how to explore local genres effectively, while others doubt the value of doing so. This paper outlines a process for identifying and working with genres. Evidence both from the translation world and from other fields of study shows that genre awareness enhances translation quality, reception, and the translation process itself. The final section of the paper addresses potential challenges related to genre-level translations, providing suggestions for navigating the use of genres in different contexts.