The scores and markings
This page lists all deviation scores and markings that have been given for each verse.
Deviation scores for the main thoughts are presented in columns A, B, C, D and Z in the review. The total score for all these thoughts
is in column T.
The score for fluent readability is in column R. It is the total sum of penalty points that are given for difficult expressions or
words, according to the scores that are listed for each verse further below on this page.
Deviation markings in the verse text:
*this (an asterisk in front of a word): an added word, which is in the translation, but not in the Bible manuscripts.
·THIS (a middle dot in front of a word, which is in uppercase): an omitted word, which is in the Bible manuscripts, but not in the translation.
this³ (a superscript number in the top right corner of a word): deviation score for literal accuracy, because the meaning of this word differs from the word
in the Bible manuscripts. The typical range is 1 point for a minor difference, 2 points for a greater difference, and 3 points for a completely different
meaning. Added or omitted main words usually receive 3 points. Words of secondary importance and added words that repeat another concept receive 1 point.
Column L shows the total sum of all deviation points for literal accuracy in the verse text.
this₂ (a subscript number in the bottom right corner of a word): formal deviation score, for changing the form or style of the original text (without
being forced to do so by the grammar of the target language). The score is 1 point per category of difference: for example 1 point for changing a verb into
an adjective, and another 1 point for changing singular into plural. Added or omitted words usually receive 1 point.
₁this (a subscript number in the bottom left corner of a word): structural deviation score, for moving the word into a different context within the phrase,
so that it causes the form or meaning of the phrase to change essentially. The score is usually 1 point. (The review accepts changing the order of words,
if this does not affect the form of expressions — words that logically belong together are moved together to another location — and the general
meaning of the phrase does not change either. In rare cases a deviation point might be given for changing the order in which various things are mentioned,
if the order seems to be potentially relevant.)
Column F shows the score of form-faithfulness, which is the combined total sum of all deviation points for formal and structural deviations.
⁰this (superscript number 0 in the top left corner of a word or a longer expression): text that is ignored in the review. (The review allows translators to
add explanations and other thoughts into the text, if these are clearly marked as not part of the Bible text, for example with italics or square brackets.)
If a Bible translation uses the character * or · or superscripts or subscripts for its own purposes, these are removed or replaced with other symbols
in this review.
The translation LITTRCH uses very unusual experimental language, which is nearly impossible to understand for the mainstream population.
It could be argued that LITTRCH is not a translation in standard english, and therefore should not be included in this review — equally as translations
in scottish etc. are not included. (I will include the scottish translation of Murdoch Nisbet in 1520, however, because of its historical significance.)
The review includes some translations with street slang or many foreign loan words, so the line is not clear between what is “english language”
and what is “not english language”. I have handled LITTRCH quite leniently and approximately in the review. It would have been possible to give
deviation points much more harshly to this translation.
The translation BELOVED adds remarkable amounts of additional poetry, but clearly separates it from the original Bible text,
by using one empty text row between the verse text and the additional poetry. BELOVED indicates added words also in the actual Bible text, by using italics.
BELOVED does not contain such extra material in any of the 8 test verses, but in three cases such lengthy additional text is under the previous verse text —
theoretically between the two verses (Zekharyah 8:18, Markos 12:35, Romans 8:12). I have included these in the text samples, to demonstrate this unusual
feature of BELOVED. This material does not affect the review scores, because the reviewing process ignores any added text that is clearly marked as not part
of the Bible text.