Comparative Analysis on Mongolian Translations of Psalms 1

Abstract

This research analyses Mongolian translations of Psalm 1 in terms of literary and linguistic aspects. The purpose of this study is to understand the process and challenges of translating biblical poetry into Mongolian and provide insight for future translation works. The study involves five Cyrillic versions: Ariun Bibli (2004, 2013, 2019), Bible Society of Mongolia (2015), and the Mongolian Standard Version (2024). The Hebrew source text and Biblical commentaries were used for accurate comparative analysis. The analysis focuses on lexical choice, poetic structure, and semantic nuance of the translations. The result shows how each version differs in translation technique, poetic structure and lexical choice to varying degrees. Specifically, the lexical choices of Ariun Bibli versions primarily matched the English translation of Psalms 1, while the 2015 and 2024 translations were closer to the meaning of the original Hebrew manuscript. While some translators aimed for close alignment with the source text, the others adjusted phrasing for easier comprehension.