Oh be careful little translator what you say...#4

In the Tuyuca language of Colombia, every main verb requires a suffix indicating the source of the speaker's information.  Did the speaker see for himself?  Did the speaker hear for himself?  Did the speaker see evidence?  Did the speaker hear from someone else?  Did the speaker assume?

5 different possible sources of information....on every main verb!

For example:

a. diiga ape -wi

soccer play -VISUAL
‘He played soccer.’ (I saw him play.)

b. diiga ape -ti

soccer play -NONVISUAL
‘He played soccer.’ (I heard the game and him, but I didn’t see it or him.)

c. diiga ape -yi

soccer play -INFERENCE
‘He played soccer.’ (I have seen evidence that he played.)

d. diiga ape -yigi

soccer play -SECONDHAND
‘He played soccer.’ (I obtained the information from someone else.)

e. diiga ape -hĩyi

soccer play -ASSUMED
‘He played soccer.’ (It is reasonable to assume that he did.

So how would you translate the book of Acts?  Luke wrote the books of Acts but was he an eyewitness of every event?  In Acts 16:11, Luke was sailing with Paul and therefore he was an eyewitness.  However, in Acts 16:25 Paul and Silas were in prison.  Did Luke hear them singing from outside the prison?  Did Paul describe the events to Luke later?  Did Luke see the evidence of the earthquake?

Please pray for Bible translators around the world.  Pray for wisdom, knowledge and discernment.



Reference:
Barnes, Janet. 1984. Evidentials in the Tuyuca verb. IJAL 50.255-271.

100 Days

He is risen!

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Shepherding a Child's Heart for the third time

Jeannette and I just finished our third read-through of the book Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp.  We read it once after Kara was born, again after the twins were born, and now after Jenna was born.  Every time we read it we apply the biblical principles to new parenting situations because every kid is different and every kid is at different stages of growth.

My favorite part of this book is its focus on the gospel.

Keeping the gospel in focus, you see, is more than helping our children know forgiveness of sin through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. In the gospel there is the promise of internal transformation and empowerment. The grace of empowerment to live is found in the gospel. The gospel enables you and your children to face the worst in yourselves - your sin, your badness, and your weakness - and still find hope, because grace is powerful (xxii).

I also appreciate the author's recognition of the Holy Spirit.

It is obvious that internalizing the gospel requires the work of the Holy Spirit in the child. No parent can do that work; nor can you produce it through your labors (198).

And instead of causing us to give up trying, this truth actually stirs us to greater hope.

While you dare not presume upon God's sovereign mercy, you may labor with expectation that the gospel is powerful (198).

 
Please pray for us that we would continue to share the gospel consistently with our children.  Pray that they would see the gospel in our love for them.  Pray that they would see the gospel in our marriage.

Hosanna