Draft:Transliteral Bible

The Transliteral Bible (TRLIT) is an English translation of the Bible that transliterates key words in the King James Version text. It allows readers to be able to read the Bible in a format closer to the original languages.

Purpose of the Transliteral Bible

 * To read the Bible in the original languages without the need to learn the Hebrew and Greek alphabets and grammar.
 * To assist in learning Hebrew and Greek by focusing first on vocabulary instead of grammar.
 * To read in a closer format to how the Bible was originally written.
 * To have a deeper and richer understanding of the Bible.

Translation Methodology
The translation methodology takes the King James Version text and replaces English words that have a Strong's number through the process of transliteration. For example, the Greek word for God “θεός” is transliterated to “theos”. Most nouns, verbs, and adjectives are transliterated. Words in italics are also removed.

Since the methodology used is a mechanical process, no interpretation bias is introduced. Anybody who uses this methodology would achieve practically the same result, even if they do not know the original languages.

Since the Transliteral Bible is not hampered by having to decide how to translate words into English, there is no dynamic equivalence versus formal equivalence problem involved. Instead of a translator interpreting the meaning of the original words, it pushes the responsibility of interpreting what the original words mean to the reader.

Limitations of the Transliteral Bible

 * The Transliteral Bible is intended to be a study Bible and is not meant to be a natural reading Bible.
 * Only the base Greek/Hebrew words are used for transliterated words, so it strips the words of grammatical information (number, case, tense, voice, mood).
 * This translation is not intended to replace any Hebrew or Greek critical text. The ultimate way to read the Bible would be to read it in the original languages.

Strong's and Lexicon
All transliterated words include the Strong's number. In the Kindle version, Strong's numbers are linked to the lexicon at the back of the book.

Translation status
The New Testament was published on January 2024. The Old Testament is currently being translated.