Customer Reviews

Chinese Bilingual Bible

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ISBN 9622934579 - TCV Traditional script Hardback
ISBN 9622934773 - TCV Simplified script Paperback
ISBN 9622937772 - TCV Traditional script TEV bilingual Hardback
ISBN 9622930093 - Union Traditional script [Shangti edition]
ISBN 9813099917 - Union Simplified script Paperback
ISBN 9813099844 - Union Simplified script Hardback
ISBN unknown - Union Traditional script NIV bilingual Hardback

NOTE:

There are three main versions
- Chinese Union Version CU [hehe-ben] published by the Chinese Govt inside China
- Chinese Union Version New Punctuation CUNP [xinbiaodian hehe-ben] published by UBS
- Today's Chinese Version TCV [xiandai-ben] published by UBS in HK, Taiwan and Singapore
- Chinese Living Bible CLB [tangdai-ben] published by IBS in America
These versions are equivalent to RSV, TEV, and Living Bible respectively. The `new punctuation' version of the Union is not significantly different from the old Union version. PRC Christians tend to strongly prefer the old CU, which is freely available throughout China, but the TCV is a lot easier to read. The CLB is a paraphrase. There are also specialist editions such as NIV-CU, TEV-TCV parallel texts, New Testaments with pinyin superscript and CU or TCV Study Bibles.

There are two scripts
- traditional [fanti hanzi] used in Hong Kong and Taiwan and by overseas Chinese communities.
- simplified [jianti hanzi] used in the PRC and being introduced in Singapore.
Both script types may be printed vertically (read top-to-bottom) or horizontally (left-to-right).

Chinese Bibles are available as Shen Editions or Shangti Editions. Shangti means an edition printed with two characters 'Shang Di' for "God", a Shen Edition means an edition printed with a blank space followed by one character 'Shen' for "God". If not specified it will usually be a Shen Edition. What the difference is between the two terms is open to debate.

Fortunately at least there is no written difference between Cantonese and Mandarin. This distinction is only relevant to audio tapes. Hong Kong Cantonese read traditional script. Over the border in Guangzhou PRC Cantonese read simplified script. Likewise in Beijing they speak Putonghua (their name for Mandarin) but read the same simplified scipt as Guangzhou, and Taiwanese speak Kuoyu (another name for Mandarin) but read the traditional script like Hong Kong. Confusingly the Union Version is sometimes known as the `Kuoyu Bible' in Hong Kong even though there it is usually read out loud as Cantonese.

This is the TEV/TCV hardback yellow parallel text. It is only available with traditional (HK,Taiwan) characters not simplified characters (PRC). In any case the TCV is not used inside China where the old Union Version is freely and cheaply available from book kiosks at official churches. The TCV is a paraphrase ("the meek will inherit what God has promised"), but a lot easier to read than the Union for those from a non-Christian background.

The TCV is the "xiandai-ben", the Union the "hehe-ben".

I'd recommend you get the recipient of this Bible something to help them see the text ... it's very small print. Other than that I was pleased with this purchase. I bought this for a bilingual friend. The cover is nicer-looking than the picture shows ... it's yellow but it has the look of worn paper wrapped around a white cover. I also bought stick-on tabs at the local Christian bookstore for each book of the Bible since this one does not have a handy way to thumb to the book you're looking for. The tabs stick out from the pages and make it easier to quickly find books for those who aren't familiar with the sequence. Thanks to another reviewer whose lengthy explanation of Chinese Bibles helped me make my purchase.

The product was as described: new. This particular Bible was used for a gift - I have a mandarin speaking friend who was having difficulty reading just an english version. This particular Bible made it much easier for her to understand and she says she loves everything that she reads. Thank you for being so prompt.

This is my 3rd one. Lost one version and purchased another for my Mother-in-Law who is Chinese. Both my wife and her really love this Bible. The English is clear and the Chinese is also correct. They both enjoy reading from this version.

It is a good start to introduce your Chinese friend to your culture, art, leterature... buy it.