Biblica - Vol 89 (2008) Ziegert, Carsten, Das Buch Ruth in der Septuaginta als Modell für eine integrative Übersetzungstechnik (2008)

The Greek version of Ruth is, generally speaking, a literal translation. Even the style of the Hebrew original has been replicated as the translation brings out various Semitic archaisms. The quality of style, poor from a Greek point of view, aims at reproducing a special Hebrew local colour. This special style is avoided, however, if intelligibility is at stake. In that case, the translator reverts to a communicative translation technique. Hence, the Greek version of Ruth integrates elements of a communicative translation into an otherwise literal translation. Considering the findings of functional translation theory, this apparent caprice should be seen as a focused and innovative translation technique which might be described as 'integrative'.