What is the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)?

Answer

The Easy-to-Read Version of the Bible, which was published in 1989 by the World Bible Translation Center and founded in 1973 in Arlington, Texas, was initially created to address the specific needs of the deaf community. It was first released by Baker Book House under the title The English Version for the Deaf. The initial development of The English Version for the Deaf was carried out by WBTC’s in-house translators, who are experts in Greek and Hebrew, along with deaf-language consultants. Recently, the Easy-to-Read Version underwent a significant revision to better cater to its intended audience and support evangelistic efforts (such as ministries targeting prisons, homelessness, or children) and individuals with limited English proficiency. The updated text is also more suitable for oral delivery, considering that many individuals who comprehend spoken English may not be literate.

Easy-to-Read Version – Translation Approach

The transformation of the English Version for the Deaf into the Easy-to-Read Version was not a conventional translation process; rather, it involved adapting the EVD for a wider hearing audience. The WBTC engaged English language experts to refine the text and a diverse panel of New Testament scholars to review the revised versions and provide feedback. The alterations made were primarily focused on enhancing the English style by reducing redundancy and simplifying sentence structures. According to the WBTC, “In addition to enhancing the English style, the revised Easy-to-Read Version demonstrates a deeper comprehension of numerous passages. This was facilitated by the extensive resources available to our translators and their involvement in more than 30 language projects. Through comparing these translations with the original texts, the translators identified areas for improvement in the Easy-to-Read Version. Furthermore, the Easy-to-Read Version has benefited from.”From input from numerous external scholars who have served as consultants in the process of evaluating WBTC’s translations.

Easy-to-Read Version – Advantages and Disadvantages

The Easy-to-Read Version is appropriately named, as it is undeniably easy to read. For this reason, the ERV deserves praise. It is beneficial to have the Bible translated so that individuals who struggle with English can comprehend it. Although the Bible delves deeply into its proclamations, the language typically does not need to be intricate. The main drawback of the ERV could be that at times its interpretations are so simplified that they do not entirely convey the message that was in the original languages. The ERV leans towards “dynamic equivalence” in Bible translations, which is not necessarily negative. However, it does allow for interpretation rather than strict translation.

Easy-to-Read Version – Excerpt Examples

John 1:1, 14 – “Before the world began, the Word existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became a human and lived among us. We saw his glory—the glory of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.”

John 3:16 – “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

John 8:58 – “Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!’”

Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Titus 2:13 – “While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”