Microsoft Word Revised Syllabus Ver doc

Language and Religion
 
Religious associations are particularly strong in relation to written language, because 
writing is an effective means of guarding and transmitting sacred knowledge. Literacy was 
available only to an elite group, in which priests figured prominently. 
Not all religions favor the translation of their sacred books. Judaism, Hinduism and 
Islam stress the sacredness of the language itself and resist translation, whereas Buddhism 
and especially Christianity actively promote it. But ultimately, all major religious works are 
translated-either from one language to another, or from an older variety of languages into 
modern variety. 
The formal process of religious translation is a long-term painstaking and frustrating 
task, usually carried out by committee. Translators have to satisfy two criteria, which are 
always incompatible, because one looks backwards and the other forwards. First the 
translation must be historically accurate, faithfully representing the meaning of the source, 
insofar as this can be known, and integrated within the religious tradition of which it is a part. 
Secondly, it must be acceptable to the indented users of the translation-which, in practice, 
means that it must be intelligible, aesthetically pleasing and capable of relating to current 
trends in religious thought, social pressures, and language change. No translation can ever 
satisfy the demands of all these factors, and all translations are thus to some extent 
controversial. 
Major Communication functions of language 
A study of language in terms of the needs for adequate communication within a 
particular society has led to the recognition of three major communication roles: (1) 
communication with people of the in-group (2) communication with people of the out –group 
(3) communication involving specialized information.