Some may argue that having millions upon millions of people now speaking English does not necessarily mean we need new translations. Can’t they simply use one of the existing Bible versions?
To think so sidesteps the fascinating implications of the explosive use of a single language. Multicultural influences bring about rapid and radical changes in vocabulary and usage. Many English speakers are somewhat familiar with the variances between British and American usage. Yet these differences are exaggerated when even more disparate groups begin using the language. As it spreads, variations in usage influence the source language. Over time, whole new words can be adopted. To use a familiar example of how this happens, there is no English word that means “a bunch of flowers,” so in English, we have adopted the French word, “bouquet.” Other developments also alter language. Technology is the most pervasive example. Words like “link,” “mouse,” “click,” “web,” and “net” have a startlingly different array of meanings today than they did even 30 or 40 years ago. This becomes particularly important when word choices reflect fine nuances of meaning. Then there are the popular language
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