In search of a comprehensive theory

61 interrelated unity and in which the choice for paratextual elements is made deliberately from the perspective of this unity.

4.2 In search of a comprehensive theory

In the search for an integrated approach Genette’s work is of some help. However, the focus in his study is only on paratext of literary texts. 104 The unifying factor he sees in the manifold practices that are part of paratext is “to ensure for the text a destiny consistent with the author’s purpose.” 105 Using this approach to study the paratext of Bible translations is problematic for several reasons. First of all, Genette’s approach would presuppose for a translation that the author initiates the translation or at least is involved in its initiation. Secondly, the subject of authorship of the Bible, or more precisely, of the various books included in the Bible, let alone the subject of authorial intention, has given ground for many differences of opinion. Ideas about the nature, origin and authority of the Bible vary greatly among readers of the Bible. That has as a consequence that verbal paratext in Bible translations easily can become subject of debate, caused by difference in opinion and conviction about the nature, origin and authority of the Bible. 106 Although speaking about the author is problematic in the case of translation of the Bible, there are still those that Genette calls ‘the author’s allies’. These allies are all that are involved in the editing process editor, book designer, publishing house. But the same problems arise here: Whose allies are they? Do they consider themselves allies of the 104 Genette, Paratexts, 3f, footnote 6. 105 Genette, Paratexts, 407. Compare also: “the correctness of the authorial and secondarily, of the publisher’s point of view is the implicit creed and spontaneous ideology of paratext.” 408. 106 For an example, see the case of the Dutch Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling in Chapter 3.1. 62 authors? And are they really allies? Who decides about that? And there is also the translator or translation team. Can he be considered an ally of the authors? It might be more fruitful in dealing with translations of the Bible to relate these allies to the initiator or publisher of the translation. Initiator and publisher might be the same person, but not necessarily. An initiator might commission a translator or a publisher to produce a translation. A publisher might see a market for a new translation; an initiator might see a need for a new translation. In both cases potential readers are in focus and a translation might be made according to a certain method and with paratextual features that attract these readers andor meet their needs. Related to this there is another element: in translating the Bible there is hardly any paratext to translate. Most paratext is added for the readers during the translation process and produced by either translator or editor. Therefore, when dealing with paratext in Bible translations in its interrelatedness with the text of the translation, a target text oriented approach is most fruitful. That would also be in line with Genette’s approach that paratextual features are chosen deliberately with the potential readers in view. A question that remains open at this point is what the criteria for choosing certain paratextual features or specific forms for these paratextual features and leaving others aside, are based upon. An approach of translation that seems helpful here is the approach of the skopos theory.

4.3 Skopos theory