SPEAKING TO THE SOUL
This long, dry article provides deep insight regarding the undertaking of SIL (Summer Institute of Linguistics) to provide a bible translation to each of the languages SIL deems worthy. Handman takes us on a long walk across the desert to focus on a particular group of the SIL, SIL PNG (Papua New Guinea) and their current role in translating the bible in the 800+ languages that are present in Papua New Guinea. SIL PNG's website can be found here. Handman discusses multiple points such as a "heart language" and its importance to SIL as opposed to a pidgin or creole language. SIL put more merit in a "heart language" as other languages considered to be "trade languages" are "simplified" and "do not allow for affective emotion". She also illustrates the rigorous training that SIL members must go through prior to working on translating the New Testament. Handman addresses BTA (Bible Translation Association of Papua New Guinea - click here for homepage) which used another method of obtaining translation of the bible by recruiting locals who are fluent in their "heart language" through promotional video. In a specific point regarding language, Handman points out "Dynamic equivalence translation is particularly concerned that translators do not follow the structure of the source language grammar." that translating at a surface level would not provide accurate meaning and would have to be translated into a "deep structure" equivalent for better understanding by the readers. Handman also points out that by immersing one's self in another culture, that particular individual loses touch with their own culture and require to pass a heart language ability and culture test. Though long and dry, Handman does a good job in discussing how bible translation progress is being made.
For discussion...
1) Whose method of translation do you prefer and why?
2) State a fact regarding SIL PNG or BTA.
3) Was the article "long and dry" or am I crazy?
Mahalo for reading.
Until next time.
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Max, you are not alone when it comes to this parched reading. But I would like to touch on the views the Summer Institute of Linguistics has on heart languages as compared to trade languages. The heart language is seen as superior to the trade language. Though you, “may be able to reach a larger audience evangelizing in the trade language, you will most likely not reach potential converts’ souls” (Handman 173). This statement speaks of the importance of the heart language. The New Testament translated in the heart language is perceived to have the greater lasting effect when it comes to creating new Christians.
ReplyDeleteI was interested to learn, in Handman’s article, the fact that the SIL had originally thought that there were 1,000 languages in the whole world. I am sure that it was somewhat devastating for the SIL to later find that there are about 6 times that many languages across the globe, as their goal is to translate the New Testament into every language worldwide. I, in contrast to the SIL, am excited to learn such information regarding the 6,000 and possibly more languages there are in the world. Language, as we have learned, provides a people with their identity. I am glad that there are so many languages that supply people with their identities as these groups of people, including us in our respective groups, add to the amazing linguistic and cultural diversity we are able to see around the world.
ReplyDeleteAs this article was a bit drawn out, Handman was able to hit many points regarding SIL. The members of SIL strive for development, self-confidence, and Christian commitment. I find it interesting that SIL has introduced Vision 2025 since this is not too far away and they hope to translate a handful of languages. The idea of translating the Bible into many different languages is a positive approach to connecting with Christianity through various means. Cowan stated that, "'When a person speaks in his mother tongue, it isn't just his intellect that is involved, but his whole self that is involved when one speaks in one's heart language.'" (Handman 171.) This, in turn, will help introduce Christianity to many other people through means of language.
ReplyDelete"Long and dry"? Absolutely.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I think one of the major points this chapter made was the importance of using the heart language, or the mother tongue, in translating the Bible. "In the context of Papua New Guinea, those eight hundred heart languages are the necessary doors to the country's six million souls" (Handman 171). To have the Bible speak the heart language of the people allows the people to feel connected to the message the Bible has to tell.
In talking about heart language versus trade language, I'm feeling a little confused. It seems that Handman is claiming that pidgins and creoles are less than heart language because of its deficiency in expressing emotion. Trade languages are good enough for missions literature but not good enough for the evangelistic process. Handman says that people reject trade languages because what they are looking for is cultural unity, and trade languages don't give them that. So my question is, is the the Pidgin we speak in Hawaii considered with no heart and soul? In my opinion, pidgin and creoles are created out of a community with different peoples who are trying to get along so Pidgin is their commonality. So how can it be what Handman says it is? Or maybe I'm just interpreting it all wrong.
ReplyDeleteIt must have been heartbreaking for the SIL linguists and Wycliffe to discover that there were way more than a thousand languages in the world to translate the bible into. It is motivating to see that their goal called Vision 2025 is at least to start a translation in every language necessary by 2025. On the SIL PNG website, it was interesting to see how hard they are working and how far they got with the latest additions. I wonder if they will be able to achieve their goal of Vision 2025? I think the SIL and BTA linguists are creating a meaningful project of translating the bible into all of the different languages needed. The spread of the translated bibles will expand through the language. With language being our way of life, I am enthused to read how these translations will supply people with greater knowledge about the bible. I am looking forward to see how far the SIL linguist get by the Vision 2025.
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ReplyDeleteIn the article, Handman discusses how the members of the SIL and its sister organizations (Wycliffe, BTA, and National Bible Translation) are striving to translate the Bible into the 6,000 different languages known worldwide. Their goal is to translate the New Testament of all these languages into the “heart languages” (mother tongue) of the people. SIL’s mission is to translate the New Testament into a “heart language” because they want it to be in a language in which people are able to understand. Handman believes that the important concept of “heart language” is that it “is the language through which God will be able to communicate to a group of people” (71). I think that having the bible translated into the “heart language,” will allow people to have a deeper connection and relationship with God’s message.
ReplyDeleteI am so surprised to find out there are almost 6000 languages in the world. It will be a big project for the SIL and BTA. In the article, Handman emphasizes on the heart language, like how witch use heart language to heal the persons. Heart language is like the dialect, accepted by both well educated and uneducated.So God's words will be read by uneducated people. As a Christian, I am proud of what SIL AND BTO are doing for the world. However, when they are translating, they must pay attention not to distort the real meaning. Because they do not really understand every language.
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