Bible translation to change Bakalanga community

Patricia Edwin | Thursday July 10, 2014 15:03

 

Otlogetswe was speaking at a Kalanga Bible Translation Project workshop held at Tati River Lodge in Francistown. He said that translation is something that he is passionate about as he was involved in the translation of medical terms and Google into Setswana.

He stressed that people must be encouraged to read the word of God in their own language and to talk to God in their own languages. “It is very important because, if you translate and no one reads because they are reading in another language, it defeats the whole purpose,” he said.

Otlogetswe said that he understands and admires translation work because it is very challenging.

He said that it is important to understand that in translation, the meaning that comes out in the end is more important than the words. “When we translate, one of the main things is merely to move meaning from one language to another and meaning is carried through words but we are not carrying words but meaning because sometimes people worry about what words will mean in another language,” he explained.

He said that translation involves understanding the culture that is being translated and things can be said and those that cannot. He said that translation of scriptures has extra responsibility because it is very important to preserve the meaning that is intended.

“Many communities will benefit and many churches will advance because of your work. Many will accept God because they will understand the Bible in their own language,” he said.

He stated that the translation of the Bible will transform Bakalanga. “It will bring confidence and pride to the entire community of Bakalanga. There is something about hearing the Word of God in your own language rather than in another language,” he said.