Lao Shorter Old Testament and New Testament

Rating:
Summary: Lao Shorter Old Testament and New Testament
Review: This is an excellent translation of the Bible into Lao, especially the New Testament (this version has the complete New Testament and only part of the Old Testament). The text is very well done - the language is easily understandable, yet still elegant in the way that I think scripture should be. Kudos to the translators for taking what can be complex (baffling?) scriptural grammar (at least in English) and making it comprehensible and clear in Lao.

The only two complaints I have are relatively minor, and they relate to formatting rather than substance. First, the font used in the New Testament can sometimes be slightly awkward to read at first as it is fairly clunky. But you can get used to that over time and with familiarity (just like trying to read my handwriting, actually). Second, the verses are not clearly numbered - the numbers are all along the left margin, so sometimes you are left to wonder exactly where one verse ends and the next begins (this is exacerbated by the structure of Lao writing, where words run together and breaks are used much like commas and periods are used in English).

Overall, a very good translation - I personally prefer this one to the newer translation done in the Lao Common Language because I think the language used allows more reflection into the deeper meanings of many verses.

Rating:
Summary: Lao Shorter Old Testament and New Testament
Review: This is an excellent translation of the Bible into Lao, especially the New Testament (this version has the complete New Testament and only part of the Old Testament). The text is very well done - the language is easily understandable, yet still elegant in the way that I think scripture should be. Kudos to the translators for taking what can be complex (baffling?) scriptural grammar (at least in English) and making it comprehensible and clear in Lao.

The only two complaints I have are relatively minor, and they relate to formatting rather than substance. First, the font used in the New Testament can sometimes be slightly awkward to read at first as it is fairly clunky. But you can get used to that over time and with familiarity (just like trying to read my handwriting, actually). Second, the verses are not clearly numbered - the numbers are all along the left margin, so sometimes you are left to wonder exactly where one verse ends and the next begins (this is exacerbated by the structure of Lao writing, where words run together and breaks are used much like commas and periods are used in English).

Overall, a very good translation - I personally prefer this one to the newer translation done in the Lao Common Language because I think the language used allows more reflection into the deeper meanings of many verses.