This is the 5th article in this Liturgy Series in preparation for a new translation for the Mass prayers which will be used by both the priest and the people and will be introduced for our use on the First Sunday of Advent of this year (November 27th).
What Is An Example Of The Difference Between “Dynamic Equivalence” And “Formal Equivalence”?
The Prayer after Communion for the First Sunday of Advent goes like this: “Father, may our communion teach us to love heaven, May its promise and hope guide our way on earth.”
This is an example of dynamic equivalence. Notice the simplicity of the words. It is basically a paraphrasing of the original Latin text. A more literal translation of the same Latin text looks like this: “May the mysteries we have celebrated profit us, we pray, O Lord, for even now, as we journey through the passing world, You teach us by them to love the things of heaven and hold fast to what will endure.”
This is formal equivalence. The words are more poetic, with fuller meaning. They more fully express what we truly believe about our participation in the mystery of communion.