Oh be careful little translator what you say...

In Phonology class we study how individual sounds work together in human language and how these sounds can make a huge difference in meaning.  Two words can be almost identical in every way except one small difference.  Bible translators need to listen very carefully and identify the correct sounds to use in their translations.

For example, in the Guanano language of Columbia, two words differ in only one sound: [kha'ga] 'get drunk' and [kha'ka] 'near.'  And if the Bible translator is not careful he could translate Ephesians 2:13 like this, "But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have got drunk by the blood of Christ."  Not what God intended to say.

Or the Damana language also of Columbia has two words: [ashega] 'be seated' and [asega] 'cut off.'  A careless translation could say Luke 22:69, "But from now on, the Son of Man will be cut off at the right hand of the mighty God."  Blasphemy!

Can you feel the immense responsibility of Bible translation?  Please pray for the Bible translators working around the world right now.  Pray that they would hear the languages correctly and translate God's Word accurately.

(In case you wondered, the correct translations are, "But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" and "But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.")

Stay tuned for more examples....