VISION 2025

In addition to being faith principled, international, growing, innovative, and changing Wycliffe Bible Translators is Visionary.

Oh, Yes! By 2025, together with partners worldwide, Wycliffe aims to see a Bible translation programme begun in all the languages that need one!

Encouragement for Bible Translators!

1. Jesus Christ, your Saviour, is Lord of All - including linguages.
2. You've been Spirit-Empowered - to bear witness to the rissen, ascended, and glorified Christ. You are making the inspired, infallible, and inerrant witness concerning this Christ available to His church for its edification & sanctification, for its witness to those who do not know God, and for its ever increasing joy.
3. Satan is bound & He can no longer deceive the nations.

Saam 23 (Preliminary Translation)

"1. Wan A Dievid Saam Dem.
Yaawe a mi shepad, mi no gwai wahn notng.
2. Im mek mi li dong ina fresh griin kaman,
jenkl jenkl im kiyari mi go wichpaat [nais] waata deh.
3. Im pu laif bak ina mi suol;
Im liid mi pan di rait chak dem
sieka im gud niem

4. Aal ef mi [go] waak ina wahn daak daak plies,
mi no gwai fried a notng [bad],
kaaz Yu deh wichaat mi deh;
Yu rad an yu staaf,
dem mek mi fiil sief

5. [Rait] in front a mi enim dem fies,
Yu set op waa tiebl a fuud bifuo mi,
Yu rob-op mi ed wid ail,
mi kop ful op tu i brim.
6. Fi chuu, pie gudnis an kainis a go ron mi dong
ebri die a mi laif;
an mi a go liv ina Yaawe ous
fi di res a mi laif."

I've just come across a video on godtube.com in which two Jamaican gyal pikny recite this Psalm in "patois." That's where I got the expression "rob-op mi ed wid ail" from. Enjoy.

Why Translate the Bible into Jamaican Creole?

This question never fails to pop up whenever I make mention of the joint effort of Wycliffe Bible Translators, Caribbean, and the Bible Societies of the West Indies, Jamaica, to translate the Bible into Jamaican (Patois/Patwa). I do not doubt the sincerity of those who pose this question; in fact, I think it’s an important one – a question which every Bible translator must be able to answer satisfactorily before he/she commences a Bible translation project. Having come to adequate reasons why a particular language needs a translation of the Scriptures, it would be helpful for the Bible translator always to bear them in mind, otherwise severe opposition and ruthless questioning of his/her endeavours could prove unbearable – this would be a major source of discouragement.

Why do I believe a translation of the Bible into Jamaican is necessary? So far, I’ve managed to come up with several reasons which might need some refinement. Anyway, here are they, not in any particular order of importance:

1. English is not the “heart-language” of the majority of Jamaicans – those living on the island and many others in the Diaspora. Creole is the language most persons use in their homes, families, churches, etc…Jamaican is the language we use to express our greatest joy, hope, pain, expectations, disappointments, think our deepest thoughts, etc… Bible translators believe that Scriptures have the most far-reaching impact when heard in one’s heart language.
2. Many Jamaican preachers/bible teachers read English Bibles however they give the meaning of their texts and preach in Patois – not English. In this sense, we are simply formalising what many Jamaican preachers have been doing over the years. We are increasing the comprehension of the Bible.
3. Luke, in Acts 2:1-12, tells us of how Jews from 15 linguistically diverse nations were bewildered when they heard the disciples speaking their languages. Don’t forget there was a lingua franca around then (a language of wider communication) - Greek, just as English is the “international language” of our time! At Pentecost, God powerfully approved the contextualisation of the Christian message. This signals, to me, the church’s responsibility to develop a local expression of the Gospel in their particular contexts.
4. A Jamaican translation helps to build churches without destroying national/cultural identity- it affirms our ethnic and linguistic identity… (cf. Rev.5:9; 7:9 - 10; and 14: 6).
5. The translation will facilitate the "conversion" of cultures and worldviews, and, at the same time
6. Cultural enrichment and preservation
7. A better understanding/appreciation of the Scriptures.
8. The findings of a recent survey undertaken by the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica. reveal a). 79.5% of the Jamaican population believes Jamaican was a language and agreed that it was, “a form of speech, which can be used to communicate anything people want it to” b). more than half of the Jamaican population (67.8%) believes communication could be made better if Jamaican w used as opposed to English. c. further, 68.5% felt it should be made an official language of Jamaica alongside English.
9. Whenever someone wants to make a statement emphatic/profound in Jamaica they say it in Jamaican Creole, not English.
10. All things were created for Christ and for His glory; therefore, the greatest service something can do for Him is to accomplish what it was created for. For example, the chief end of human beings is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever (See 1Cor.10:31; Rev.4:11; Ps.73:25-26). Seeing that Jamaican is a language (contrary to what some people believe), I believe the highest good to which it can ever attain is to facilitate communication which is God-honouring, Christ-exalting, and Spirit inspired. The Scripture is the only sufficient and objective means by which God has communicated to us knowledge of Himself and of His will necessary to salvation (1Cor.1:21). God’s Word written and expounded in Jamaican both glorifies its maker and benefits its speakers/hearers.
11. In speaking to the mind as well as to the heart, it will bring Christ up close and personal.
12. It will facilitate an opportunity for systematic study of JC...
    • language development
    • cultural enrichment and preservation
    • an increased sense of identity
    • literacy in Jamaican – the bilingual education programme in Jamaica was sparked by Dr Faith Linton, a Board Member of the Bible Society of the West Indies...
13. There are other ppin off products of Bible translation...For example, vernacular Bibles are capitalised on by musicians, poets, drama writers, etc.

Luther's Translation Philosophy

"I know very well that in Romans 3 the word solum is not in the Greek or Latin text — the papists did not have to teach me that. It is fact that the letters s-o-l-a are not there. And these blockheads stare at them like cows at a new gate, while at the same time they do not recognize that it conveys the sense of the text -- if the translation is to be clear and vigorous [klar und gewaltiglich], it belongs there. I wanted to speak German, not Latin or Greek, since it was German I had set about to speak in the translation. But it is the nature of our language that in speaking about two things, one which is affirmed, the other denied, we use the word allein [only] along with the word nicht [not] or kein [no]. For example, we say "the farmer brings allein grain and kein money"; or "No, I really have nicht money, but allein grain"; I have allein eaten and nicht yet drunk"; "Did you write it allein and nicht read it over?" There are countless cases like this in daily usage.

In all these phrases, this is a German usage, even though it is not the Latin or Greek usage. It is the nature of the German language to add allein in order that nicht or kein may be clearer and more complete. To be sure, I can also say, "The farmer brings grain and kein money," but the words "kein money" do not sound as full and clear as if I were to say, "the farmer brings allein grain and kein money." Here the word allein helps the word kein so much that it becomes a completely clear German expression. We do not have to ask the literal Latin how we are to speak German, as these donkeys do. Rather we must ask the mother in the home, the children on the street, the common man in the marketplace. We must be guided by their language, by the way they speak, and do our translating accordingly. Then they will understand it and recognize that we are speaking German to them."

Taken from: http://www.bible-researcher.com/luther01.html

10 Reasons Why I'm Thankful For The God-Breathed Bible

1. The Bible awakens faith, the source of all obedience.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

2. The Bible frees from sin.
You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. (John 8:32)

3. The Bible frees from Satan.
The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)

4. The Bible sanctifies.
Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. (John 17:17)

5. The Bible frees from corruption and empowers godliness.
His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. (2 Peter 1:3-4)

6. The Bible serves love.
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment. (Philippians 1:9)
But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1 Timothy 1:5)

7. The Bible saves.
Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. (1 Timothy 4:16)
Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. (Acts 20:26)
[They will] perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:10)

8. The Bible gives joy.
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:11)

9. The Bible reveals the Lord.
And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord. (1 Samuel 3:21)

10. Therefore, the Bible is the foundation of my happy home and life and ministry and hope of eternity with God.

© Desiring God

SEE/LISTEN ALSO:
Why We Believe the Bible 1&2

More Challenges

Earlier on this week, I encountered two additional challenges to translating the Bible into Jamaican. The first relates to the fact that Jamaican is mainly an oral language; the second is a reminder of the fact that many persons have difficulties reading English – let alone Jamaican! I believe the person who raised these concerns has got the good of the Jamaican people in mind, and I do respect his/her opinion. However I offer the following quick responses.

1. Re Patois being an oral language. EVERY LANGUAGE YOU CAN THINK OF STARTED OUT ONLY IN SPOKEN FORM. Our beloved Jamaican/Patois is no exception to the laws of linguistic development. Caribbean creoles have been around for about 400. In comparison with most of the world’s languages, this is very young. Did you know that the Bible has had a remarkable/considerable influence on development of the German language, modern Hebrew, English and a host of other languages?!

My employer, Wycliffe Bible Translators, has translated the Bible into many languages which were only oral. (Many more are being done, and are yet to be done.) Wycliffe missionary linguists write down these languages with what is called the International Phonetic Alphabet. This alphabet has got a symbol for every sound possible to human beings. Using this alphabet, our missionaries work alongside local people and develop an alphabet for each unwritten language, analyse the grammar, produce primers and teach the speakers to read their own language! A lot of this work has already been done on our Jamaican language. In fact, Jamaican/Patois is one of the most studied Creole languages in the world! Bible translation no easy, however, it’s exciting stuff!

2. Re problems reading. The simple (??? Perhaps an overstatement!) problem is that Jamaicans are not being taught in their native tongue but in a language which is foreign to them; hence the crisis in our present educational system. English is not the natural (mother tongue), primary language of Jamaica; it should be taught as a separate language. Linguists believe that cognitive and linguistic skills are best acquired and developed in one’s “heart language.” It’s much easier then for the acquired skills to be transferred to the 2nd language systematically. I believe our present system is walking back ways! People have probs reading English because the present system is deficient.

A recent study, conducted by the Department of Linguistics, UWI, Mona, has revealed that nearly 80% of Jamaicans felt that Jamaican/Patois is a separate language and that nearly 70 % agreed that it should be made official alongside English! 71% of the population would like to have bilingual schools!

Much more could be said, but it’s good to leave room for discussion.

If you’ve got time (?), perhaps you would like to read the following online:
1. The Importance of Mother Tongue-Based Schooling for Educational Quality http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001466/146632e.pdf
2. Language Attitude Survey of Jamaica – Data Analysis and Summary of Results http://www.mona.uwi.edu/dllp/jlu/projects/survey.htm
3. Language Rights, Justice and the Constitution (Pt 1) http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20020127/focus/focus1.html
4. Language Rights, Justice and the Constitution (Pt 2) – I’ll get the link for this one asap.
5. Jamaican Creole Morphology & Syntax http://privatewww.essex.ac.uk/~patrickp/papers/JamCreoleGrammar.pdf