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Press Release: September 20, 2024
Friday Field Notes
Check out the latest update from our missionaries!
TRANSLATION NOTES – Joel Juedes
Together in Bible Translation (TiBT). Recently, a celebration was held for Père Benolo for 40 years of ministry. Back in 2001, he and a team began translating the Bible into the Ntandroy language, about 700,000 speakers. Benolo’s heart was so in it that he started the work even before the team, when he was a mere high school student. This work is reaching a major milestone, as the Ntandroy New Testament is nearing completion. Along the way, many have benefited from each book as it was published individually, but there is something special about holding a full NT in hand.
In 2012, the moment the Jesus Film became available in Ntandroy it spread like wildfire. In the village of Ilakaka, bars had always been full. Once the Jesus Film was released, the priest in Ilakaka reported that the bars were empty and people were lining up to see the film wherever it could be shown. It became the talk of the town. At funerals, instead of telling traditional stories, people told stories about Jesus!
TRANSLATION NOTES – Dr. Jim and Susan Kaiser
“But we want our people to easily understand the verse. If we use a foreign word, the meaning may not be clear to them.” The Mende translation team and I were looking at their translation of 2 Kings 4:41. Elisha asks for some flour, it is brought to him, and he puts it into the pot. It is not a difficult verse, but the problem came from the word that was used to translate “flour”. The team had chosen to use a word that specifically meant “rice flour”. That is the traditional type of flour that is used in the area, since people there grow rice. Wheat is not grown there, and flour made from wheat must be imported into the country.
How do you translate something that is unknown in an area? Is it acceptable to substitute something similar that is locally available? These are common questions that translation teams must answer.
Dr. Katy Barnwell, a leading educator in Bible translation, lists five possible ways to translate unknown ideas: 1) Use a descriptive phrase. 2) Substitute something similar that is known to the receptor language speakers. 3) Use a word that is more general in meaning. 4) Use a word that is more specific in meaning. 5) Use a foreign word from another language, with explanatory information.
To solve the problem in this verse, the team decided to use the borrowed word for wheat flour, flawa. It has been available in their area long enough that most people are familiar with what it is, even though it originally was a foreign word.
SCRIPTURE ENGAGEMENT– Dr. Chris and Janine Pluger
In one sense, “Scripture Engagement” is the work of every pastor in every church. But this work takes on special meaning in a context where people have not had the Bible in their language before. Pastors may need help figuring out the best way to prepare sermons and Bible classes in a different language. People who have been using someone else’s Bible for their entire lives — a Bible written in another language — may need time to adjust to hearing God speak in the same language their parents speak. Change is never easy.
There is no one right answer, no silver bullet, that will work for every project everywhere. We have been visiting language groups to listen to the community, ask questions, and help plan how Scripture Engagement can be increased.
Scripture Engagement in Mekane Yesus church.
The questions that arise from this work are fascinating. Here are some examples:
· A project is having trouble getting books to remote villages. There is a broken-down truck parked by their office. Could that be repaired and used to transport Bibles?
· A community really likes to sing, but all their church music uses the language and style of a different group. Can local musicians be empowered to write and record songs using local-language Scripture?
· The community was excited when the translation started three years ago, but so far they haven’t seen any progress and are starting to lose hope. Can the translation team re-kindle excitement by publishing a single Gospel book and helping churches include it in their Sunday services?
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