SUGGESTION: Take Text Comparison to the next level

Francis
Francis Member Posts: 4,024 ✭✭✭
edited November 2024 in English Forum

I assume (but I don't know that for a fact) that the text comparison tool is not based on FL having manually highlighted the differences between all possible texts but is an automated comparative tool. Comparing passages across versions is handy, BUT there is much more juicy functionality to be had yet if it can use the same comparative technology: compare two or more passages in the same Bible. 

I know the parallel passages resources line up passages side by side. But they do not highlight (as far as I know) the differences between passages the way Text Comparison does. This would be a wonderful addition and an extremely useful tool. Imagine being able to line up two parallel in the gospels and see instantly what the differences are in the Greek text! Or doing the same with doublets in the Pentateuch, parallel psalms, etc. 

Unless there is already a way of doing this that I am not aware of...

Comments

  • Rosie Perera
    Rosie Perera Member Posts: 26,194 ✭✭✭✭✭

    [Y]

  • Fr Devin Roza
    Fr Devin Roza MVP Posts: 2,425

    [Y] (example application, I see mentioned by Francis, but worth repeating: comparing Synoptic Gospels)

    Another interesting possibility would be opening it up to non-Biblical texts as well.

  • Fr Devin Roza
    Fr Devin Roza MVP Posts: 2,425

    In the meantime - Microsoft Word has an amazing Text Comparison tool, that will work between any two documents. So, one can past a text from Mark into one document, then of Matthew into another document, and then run the tool and see the differences, just like you would in the text comparison tool. 

  • Francis
    Francis Member Posts: 4,024 ✭✭✭

    Another approach is to use the Word List feature. Create a word list for each passage and then use "merge" with intersection as criteria. The advantage of the MS approach is that it will let you find verbatim parallels and lets you see the text. The advantage of the WL approach is that it will let you find common lemmas, making room for finding relationships in spite of small differences in formulation:

  • Mark Smith
    Mark Smith MVP Posts: 11,845

    I agree that this would be a very useful extension of the technology Logos already possesses.

    I could compare quickly the first 10 verses of all Paul's letters, or the parallel accounts of one of the miracles of Jesus.

    Good suggestion.

    Pastor, North Park Baptist Church

    Bridgeport, CT USA

  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 55,555

    This has been requested several times before - I'm glad to see it finally catching traction.

    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

  • Bruce Dunning
    Bruce Dunning MVP Posts: 11,163

    I agree with you Francis. Thanks for bringing this us again to keep in on the front burner for the future.

    Using adventure and community to challenge young people to continually say "yes" to God

  • Caleb S.
    Caleb S. Member Posts: 585 ✭✭

    I'd like that feature, too. I think it would be very helpful when doing comparative studies (as a pastor, a student, or a scholar).

  • Joel Dougherty
    Joel Dougherty Member Posts: 14 ✭✭

    [Y]

    I agree that this would be an incredibly useful feature. 

  • Matt Rees
    Matt Rees Member Posts: 31 ✭✭

    I'm looking at the relationship between 2 and 3 John, this tool would have saved me some legwork.

  • Adam Olean
    Adam Olean Member Posts: 449 ✭✭

    [Y]

  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 55,555

    Earlier today I was reviewing text analysis tools for two texts - vocabulary, sentiment, and topic were the most common elements.  It may be cheating a bit to include this in my party but I can't resist.

    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

  • NB.Mick
    NB.Mick MVP Posts: 16,330

    Francis said:

    compare two or more passages in the same Bible. 

    [Y]

    Have joy in the Lord! Smile

  • Sean Boisen
    Sean Boisen Member, Logos Employee Posts: 1,452

    Francis said:

    I assume (but I don't know that for a fact) that the text comparison tool is not based on FL having manually highlighted the differences between all possible texts but is an automated comparative tool. 

    <snip />

    That was true in the past, but the newer version of Text Comparison is actually based on curated alignments across the texts. It's an enormous amount of work, by the way. 

    (That doesn't change the fact that it would be helpful to see the alignment between two different texts ...)

  • Jacob Hantla
    Jacob Hantla MVP Posts: 3,883

    Francis said:

    I assume (but I don't know that for a fact) that the text comparison tool is not based on FL having manually highlighted the differences between all possible texts but is an automated comparative tool. 

    <snip />

    That was true in the past, but the newer version of Text Comparison is actually based on curated alignments across the texts. It's an enormous amount of work, by the way. 

    (That doesn't change the fact that it would be helpful to see the alignment between two different texts ...)

    The work was worth it .Thanks

    Jacob Hantla
    Pastor/Elder, Grace Bible Church
    gbcaz.org

  • Zach
    Zach Member Posts: 2 ✭✭

    The "Compare Two Texts" tool in Tanakh Lab at AlHaTorah.org is a wonderful tool for such intertextual studies within the Hebrew Bible. Similar functionality would be great in Logos. It could be generalized to compare one passage in one version with a different passage in a different version --- a use case would be studying allusions to LXX in the NT.

    The Tesserae Project could be considered a proof-of-concept for Greek/Latin/English comparisons. Unfortunately, as it presently stands it seems not particularly useful for Biblical studies because: (1) the Greek section does not include the Greek Bible (although it does have some Christian fathers), and (2) the English section is too broad --- no functionality (as far as I've found) to hone in on two particular passages. 

    Seems this feature request at Provide a comparison tool for two different passages is not getting much traction with the Logos folks yet?