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Polysemy and Bible Translation
1–2 minutesLanguages love multiple meanings. Accuracy is not dependent on a single meaning. The people who think clarity involves lack of ambiguity, so we have to strive to eliminate all multiple meanings and should never let a word develop a new sense… they simply don’t get it about how language works, do they? http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=3708
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Tripping Over a Verb
1–2 minutesHere’s the story of how I tripped over a verb and fell into the arms of a 19th century Jesuit. Well, now my work days are filled with pouring over every word in the book of Ezra while preparing translation helps. First every word in Hebrew (or Aramaic as some of Ezra would have it), then every word in French (at least two different versions) and then, of course, every word in my heart language, American. (I say “American” because my British friends weighted down by a perplexed look cock their heads to one side when I proudly announce that…
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An Arm and a Leg
2–3 minutesSeveral weeks ago while playing volleyball (bump, set, spike) with colleagues and translators-in-training, I stubbed my toe on a rock poking up out of the sand. The resulting scrape opened up a small “bleed” as Poppy calls them. After everyone had finished basking in the glory of the tremendous spike I just threw down (that part may or may not be true), one translator approached to make sure I hadn’t gravely injured myself. Seeing the blood he exclaimed, Oh ! Les enfants ! (“Oh! The kids!”). Although I immediately understood him to be making a comment about of the state…
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I Find You in the Mystery
5–8 minutesI’m debating. Should this be my last post in this series of honest posts? Should I close here on a Friday. This may be a good time to step away and feel resolve. It seems apt to remember the words of William Cameron Townsend, the founder of Wycliffe. He said, “The greatest missionary is the Bible in the mother tongue. It needs no furlough and is never considered a foreigner.” Praise God! Do you know how relieved that makes me feel. How thankful. I know from learning a second language and having to speak it daily that nothing delights me more…