Q: Hello, I have some questions regarding English and Spanish translations of Mass Settings and Responsorial Psalms.
When I play for Spanish Masses I end up composing my own psalm settings. But in searching for what text to use, I’ve come across some things that puzzle me.
As an example, I’ll take last Sunday’s psalm (16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C):
From USCCB, the English text is: “He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.” If I translate that exact text into Spanish, I would get something like “El que hace justicia vivirá en presencia del Señor.” But if I go to the Spanish section on USCCB, we get something completely different: “¿Quién será grato a tus ojos, Señor?” (“Who will be pleasing in your sight, Lord?”)
Now, the Spanish text on USCCB is cited to be the “Misal Romano” from Mexico. But that’s not all. In the most popular Spanish psalm book in the US, OCP’s Responde y Aclama, you get: “Señor, ¿quién puede hospedarse en tu tienda?” (“Lord, who may lodge in your tent?”) The Spanish R&A text comes from the “Conferencia Episcopal Espaniola” in Spain.
There seems to be a big difference between the English and Spanish texts. How does a psalm text turn from a statement into a question? Which text should I consider for my own psalms? Are both acceptable?
My next topic is about Memorial Acclamation A in Spanish.
Memorial Acclamation A in Spanish, from USCCB, is “Anunciamos tu muerte, proclamamos tu resurrección. ¡Ven, Señor Jesús!” That could be translated as “We announce your death, we proclaim your resurrection. Come, Lord Jesus!”
It’s similar to what we use in English, but has some differences. For reference, Memorial Acclamation A in English is “We proclaim your death, O Lord, and profess your resurrection until you come again.” My translation into Spanish: “Proclamamos tu muerte, oh Señor, y profesamos tu resurrección hasta que vuelvas.”
I don’t mean to take the English version as the “standard”, but I’m using it to showcase the differences between the two languages. ccThe other two Memorial Acclamation responses – B and C – are almost identical in both languages.
Lastly, I wanted to bring up a small issue with the Exsultet in Spanish.
On USCCB, their Spanish text for the Exsultet starts out with “Alégrense, por fin, los coros de los ángeles.”
But this is one choice that I actually disagree with. In the version from Spain, they use “Exulten por fin los coros de los ángeles,” which I think is correct because it clearly matches the original text.
Did they go from “Exulten” to “Alégrense” because it was more approachable? If so, I still don’t agree with that reasoning. Granted, I’ve never used the word “exult” outside of the exsultet, and can’t see myself using it over “rejoice” in my daily life either. But I don’t see anything wrong in using the archaic word for one night per year, especially when you’re trying to hearken back to an ancient tradition.
Thank you for all your work with this blog, and I look forward to your reply!
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A: There is no single, approved Spanish translation of the Lectionary for the United States, but it is under development. You’re going to see variations because Spanish-speaking countries do not all use the same Lectionary and because there are discrepancies between the current English (and Spanish) translation of psalm refrains and the Latin original. All of this is under review for the US.
In the absence of an approved text, you may choose a fitting solution. Even with an approved text, alternatives may be used if approved by the USCCB (GIRM 61). I would recommend using a text provided by an approved source rather than a translation of your own—just because this is the responsorial, which is part of the Liturgy of the Word.
Regarding the Memorial Acclamation, use the approved words from the Order of Mass in Spanish. In the case of the Missal, we do have an approved Spanish translation for the United States, and its words should be used.
Regarding the Exsultet, same answer. It is part of the approved Spanish translation for use in the United States, and its words should now be followed. I don’t know why it opens differently from other translations, but using that version was the decision approved by the USCCB.
Blessings on your ministry.