A Historical Survey of Bible Translations in Indigenous Languages of Southern Africa. (2nd September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thwala, Jozi Joseph
• Is Part Of: Journal of social sciences. Volume 50:Number 1-3(2017)
• Page Start: 96
• Page End: 102
• Publication Date: 2017-09-02
• Subjects: Bible Version -- Denominations -- Expound -- Missionary Work -- Orthography -- Spelling Rules; Social sciences -- Periodicals; 300.5
• DOI: 10.1080/09718923.2017.1311723
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0971-8923

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The focus of this paper is on historical survey of Bible translations in indigenous languages of Southern Africa. The translations programme was sponsored by World Bible societies. The role played by missionaries in developing the indigenous languages is significant. The following language and linguistic categories were explored, namely, lexicography, terminology development, translation, interpreting, and editing literature development explored. The significance of indigenous languages appeared to be vital for the dissemination of information to a wider audience. The languages developed into invaluable tools of linguistic hegemony, deculturation, acculturation and reculturation. During the Bible translations exercise, the vital concepts were communication, meaning, writing and relationship between the source-language and target-language.