Thursday, August 11, 2011

It's just a pronoun, it's doesn't really make a difference...right?

Here's one tiny example of how Bible translation is complex and, I think, very interesting.

In Grammar class today we studied pronouns.  We all understand English pronouns: I, you, he, she, it, we, they.  However, in the Malay language of Indonesia there are two different pronouns for "we." 

kita 'we INCLUSIVE' includes the speaker and hearers
kami 'we EXCLUSIVE' excludes the hearers

So if you are translating the Bible into Malay, which pronoun would you choose in:

Matthew 6:12, "And forgive [us] our debts, as [we] also have forgiven our debtors."

   kami because Jesus (speaker) is praying to God (hearer) who does not need to be forgiven.

Titus 1:3, "according to the commandment of God [our] Savior."

   kita because Paul (speaker) is including himself and Titus (hearer)

Acts 2:32, "This Jesus God raised up again, to which [we] are all witnesses."
 
   kami because Peter (speaker) is referring to himself and the apostles as witnesses of the resurrection, not the crowd (hearer)

This is just one tiny example of the complexity and beauty of Bible translation.  And this is why I am in school, studying Linguistics.  Please pray that I would learn, retain, and be equipped.

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