Every translator has a moral and intellectual responsibility.
Few figures illustrate this principle better than St. Jerome, whose work on the Bible set enduring standards for translation ethics. His approach balances fidelity to the original text with clarity for the reader, offering lessons that remain relevant for translators today.
Below is a reimagined exploration of his method—why it mattered then, and why it still shapes how we work today.
Who Was St. Jerome and Why His Approach Matters
St. Jerome (c. 347–420 AD) was a scholar, theologian, and translator, best known for producing a Latin translation of the Bible.
He combined deep linguistic knowledge with historical and cultural understanding. His translations shaped Christian thought and became a benchmark for accuracy and readability.
Jerome’s work established foundational principles for translation ethics, emphasizing moral responsibility alongside linguistic skill.
St. Jerome’s Core Translation Principles
Jerome’s approach reflects a careful balance between literal accuracy and readability. He rejected the false choice between word-for-word fidelity and expressive sense-for-sense translation.
These principles remain relevant today, reminding translators that a good translation conveys both words and intent.
For Jerome, the guiding question was always: what was the author truly saying? And how do we preserve that intention without suffocating it in linguistic rigidity?
His approach reminds us that translation is not transcription; it is interpretation carried out with restraint and moral clarity.
Fidelity as Responsibility
Jerome balanced two forces: loyalty to the source and clarity for the reader.
He refused to choose one over the other because truth required both. His guiding question wasn’t “What does this word mean?” but “What truth must survive the journey into another language?”
So, maintaining the author’s original message is more important, even if it requires creative phrasing.
Sense Over Sound
He challenged the assumption that faithfulness equals word-for-word rendering.
When literal phrasing damaged meaning, he broke form to preserve truth.
Jerome lays out a simpler principle: a translation succeeds when the reader receives what the author intended, not necessarily what the author wrote.
Context as Ethical Duty
Jerome immersed himself in history, culture, and linguistics.
He recognized that a text is never isolated. It sits inside a world. Without that world, translation becomes guesswork.
Ethical Considerations in Translation
Ethical translation is not a stylistic preference; it is a moral obligation. Ethics in translation extends beyond accuracy. Jerome’s work illustrates how moral responsibility is central to the translator’s role.
The translator stands between cultures. So, when translation fails, harm is not theoretical, it touches communities, beliefs, laws, and public trust.
Here’s what to preserve according to St. Jerome:
- The author’s intent
- The emotional weight of the message
- The cultural meaning embedded beneath the words
What to avoid:
- Distortion
- Overreach
- Market-friendly embellishment
- Simplifications that twist the core of a text
Applying St. Jerome’s Methods Today
Translation ethics remain the same no matter where or when a text is being translated. Jerome’s ethical strategies can still guide professional practice in present times:
- Research as Integrity – Study source materials thoroughly. Study the original context and whenever applicable document your choices and show them or keep them discoverable. Remember, transparency builds credibility.
- Consult Multiple Perspectives – Often it is necessary to cross-reference interpretations, commentaries, and linguistic sources to ensure accuracy and this just shows the ethical commitment of a translator.
- Use technology wisely – Tools like CAT software and AI can aid efficiency, but they cannot replace ethical reasoning. Translators must be in control of the decisions they make.
- Learn from good models – Examine modern translations that balance fidelity and readability successfully.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Translators face recurring obstacles that require both skill and ethical awareness:
- Balancing literal accuracy with readability – Too literal can confuse readers; too free can distort meaning.
- Navigating cultural nuances – Idiomatic expressions, historical references, and social contexts require careful adaptation.
- Maintaining integrity with sensitive texts – Religious, legal, or medical content demands extra diligence.
The Legacy of St. Jerome
St. Jerome was a scholar who saw translation as responsibility. His work demonstrates that translation is a moral act. Translation is never neutral. It bends culture, reshapes meaning, and reveals the ethics of the person doing the work.
St. Jerome understood this long before we gave it a name. His work sets the moral baseline for what it means to translate responsibly.
