Use of fqa ('Alternate Translation') in BSB

[klassenjm]

We are working toward a BSB (Berean Standard Bible) text in USFM markup, as a model/exemplar text.

This discussion is intended to help us draw some conclusions about the uses of \fqa (docs) in BSB footnotes. We are carefully following the typeset layout provided on the BSB website, attempting to adequately mark all of the textual elements which should be identified as a matter of normal practice, or which have a formatted presentation in the BSB layout (i.e. beyond normal footnote text).

Following are some examples from the book of Exodus. In Examples 1 and 2, the text marked with \fqa is quite clearly an alternate translation. In Examples 3-5, the typeset layout shows that the BSB team intends to identify some footnote text, but how that should be done as an model is undecided. There are 2 options shown for each example -- an option where the text is marked with \em ... \em* (emphasis), and an option with \fqa (alternate translation). Using \fqa has merit in terms of simplicity. However, a question has arisen as to whether these texts (and others like them) are actually 'alternate translations' and whether they should be marked as such. For example: in Example 3, "to lift out" is not a possible alternative in the scripture text for 'Moses'.

If we broaden the definition for \fqa, we can use it more widely, and simplify footnote markup. However, we would lose clarity in some footnotes about where there are truly alternate texts being contrasted.

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Example 1: EXO 1:10

... fight against us, and leave the country.\f + \fr 1:10 \ft Or \fqa and take the country\f*”

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Example 2: EXO 2:3

... she got him a papyrus basket\f + \fr 2:3 \ft The Hebrew can also mean \fqa ark\ft ; 
also in verse 5; see \+xt Genesis 6:14\+xt*.\f*

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Example 3: EXO 2:10
Option 1

... She named him Moses\f + \fr 2:10 \fq Moses \ft sounds like a Hebrew term 
that means \+em to lift out\+em*.\f* and explained, “I drew him out of the water.”

Option 2

... She named him Moses\f + \fr 2:10 \fq Moses \ft sounds like a Hebrew term 
that means \fqa to lift out\ft .\f* and explained, “I drew him out of the water.”

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Example 4: EXO 2:18
Option 1

When the daughters returned to their father Reuel,\f + \fr 2:18 \fq Reuel \ft was 
also called \+em Jethro\+em*; see \+xt Exodus 3:1\+xt*.\f* he asked them, 
“Why have you returned so early today?”

Option 2

When the daughters returned to their father Reuel,\f + \fr 2:18 \fq Reuel \ft was 
also called \fqa Jethro\ft ; see \+xt Exodus 3:1\+xt*.\f* he asked them, 
“Why have you returned so early today?”

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Example 5: EXO 2:22
Option 1

And she gave birth to a son, and Moses named him Gershom,\f + \fr 2:22 \fq Gershom 
\ft sounds like the Hebrew for \+em foreigner\+em*.\f* saying, “I have become a 
foreigner in a foreign land.”

Option 2

And she gave birth to a son, and Moses named him Gershom,\f + \fr 2:22 \fq Gershom 
\ft sounds like the Hebrew for \fqa foreigner\ft .\f* saying, “I have become a 
foreigner in a foreign land.”

[LBCBoot]

\fqa is used with "or", or "literally"

\fqa is sometimes used to escape the \fq check

Recommendation to distinguish between +em .... +em* and \fqa by using \fqa just for the alternative readings (with or or literally)