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    Possible worlds literary theory and the gospel narratives : truth, reference, and the reading experience : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in English Literature at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2018) Neville, Ethan
    This thesis is an experimental application of possible worlds literary theory to the four Gospel narratives found in the Bible. I argue that modelling the Gospel narratives as “possible worlds” enables the questions about reference, genre, and ontology to be revisited in a productive way. While the Gospels have typically been understood by narrative critics as being self-referential, a possible worlds model promotes a more holistic approach which takes into consideration the claims that these narratives make on the actual world of reality. To ignore these claims, I argue, is to misinterpret the function of biblical narrative. Once we understand the Gospels as autonomous modal systems, the “textual actual world” (the centre of the modal system) offers a place where readers can recenter to and “actualise” the possible states of affairs represented by the narrator. In this way, the sender’s instructions are not transgressed, and successful narrative communication can take place. Upon de-immersion, however, it is also possible to consider the compatibility of the four worlds projected by the text with the reader’s native world. Accordingly, in this thesis I suggest that modelling the Gospel narratives as possible worlds allows for a clearer definition of the type of worlds the Gospels project, as well as offering a sophisticated theory of reference that is fitting with how readers both intuitively and critically engage with texts.
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    Pioneers of Japanese Bible translation : the application of the dynamic equivalent method in Japan : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Japanese at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2007) Doi, Akira
    The objective of this study is to investigate the appropriateness of the term kami (神) as the translation of the term ‘God’ from the point-of-view of Dynamic Equivalent (DE) translation in Japan. The study argues that the translated term kami (神) in the Japanese Bible was adopted at first without sufficient investigation of its appropriateness but because of its penetrating character, it became the exclusive term to represent the monotheistic God. Discussion of the effect of the philosophy of Dynamic Equivalent translation in the history of Bible translation in Japan and the history of the changes of the Japanese notion of God is used to justify the validity of the above argument. As a procedure, two translation methods (DE and FE) seen in conventional Bible translations have been compared, supported by case studies where these methods are used. Next, to understand the mind of the Japanese who were the recipients of the new concept of God, the history of Japanese Shinto is discussed. Finally, the lives of two Japanese assistants of Japanese Bible translation, Anjirō and Otokichi, are studied. The study concludes that the adoption of kami (神) was appropriate from the point-of-view of DE translation, and the Japanese assistants also applied the DE translation method unconsciously. A reassessment of their selection of the terms for God is possible if they are seen as examples of the DE translation method.