Dynamic Equivalence

Formal/Literal Equivalence

Fundamental approach

Translates thought-for-thought. Not concerned with staying closely anchored to the original text.

Translates word-for-word and sentence-for-sentence. Concerned with closest translation to the original as possible.

Motivational setting

Target language (i.e., English) is the key motivating factor in translation

Source language (e.g., Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek) is the key motivating factor in translation

Interpretation

Thematic interpretations are preferred

Linguistic interpretations are required

Meaning/words

Meaning may be expressed without words (i.e., one may know thought apart from the actual words)

No meaning may be expressed without words (i.e., one may not know thought apart from the actual words; rather, thought can only be known through the actual words)

Locus of meaning

The meaning of Scripture is in the mind of the reader

The meaning of Scripture is from the intent of the author as communicated in the actual text of Scripture.