Christianity
Islam
Judaism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Sacred Language & Translation
Should scripture be read only in its original sacred language or translated for all to understand? This question has produced heated debate — from the Arabic-only position on the Quran to the Reformation's vernacular Bibles to Sanskrit versus Pali debates in Indian traditions.
Across the World's Religions
Christianity
- Practice
- Bible translation into every language; Pentecost as reversal of Babel
- Key Text
- Acts 2:4-11; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15
Islam
- Practice
- Arabic Quran as untranslatable miracle; translations as interpretations
- Key Text
- Quran 12:2, 41:3, 43:3
Judaism
- Practice
- Hebrew as lashon ha-kodesh (holy language); Targum (Aramaic translation)
- Key Text
- Genesis 11:1; Megillah 9a (Septuagint); Nehemiah 8:8
Hinduism
- Practice
- Sanskrit as Devavani (language of the gods); Bhakti poets in vernaculars
- Key Text
- Rig Veda 1.164.45; Bhagavad Gita (in Sanskrit)
Buddhism
- Practice
- Buddha taught in local language (Magadhi/Pali); translation encouraged
- Key Text
- Vinaya Pitaka, Cullavagga 5.33 (no Sanskrit mandated)