Translation Workshop in Arnhem Land

At the end of May - beginning of June, I helped out at a workshop in Yirrkala. Aboriginal Bible translators from seven language groups across Arnhem Land came together for training and to work on Bible translation. It was a great time of fellowship and was encouraging to see everyone's passion for God's word. I'm sure the participants learnt a bit, but I definitely learnt a lot! I learnt about computer programs and translation, but I also learnt about Aboriginal culture. See below for some of my insights.

Give thanks for the workshop, for the time of fellowship, the work that was done and all that everyone learnt. Pray with me for the Aboriginal translators to find the time, energy and suitable places to continue working on their translations as they return to the demands of home life.

Have a look around the room.

One of the Mission Aviation Fellowship helpers made a video of the workshop to show what it was all about.

While we were in Yirrkala for the workshop, the church had a dedication service for the Book of Mark in Dhuwaya - the main language spoken by the young people in the community. They also celebrated the Gumatj New Testament being ready for reprinting and the Book of Mark in Djapu having been drafted.

Language ownership and identity

I used to think that if the Bible was available in a language that someone understands, then they had access to God's word - but it's not quite that simple. In the Yolngu area in Arnhem Land, for example, there is a network of related languages. Although they are not all mutually intelligible, most people can speak the largest language. However, that doesn't mean it's appropriate to use that language on all occasions. It's not everyone's language to use, it belongs to a particular clan. So even though the New Testament is available in the largest Yolngu language, that doesn't mean everyone has full access to it. There were two Aboriginal ladies at the workshop, Matjarra* and Nalmakarra, who are translating from that New Testament into their clan's own language - Liyagawumirr. One of the reasons they want some scripture available in their own language is for funerals, because at a Liyagawumirr funeral, it's not appropriate to use another clan's language. They would also love to have the beginning of Luke published by Christmas, so that their people can have the story of Jesus' birth in their own language. These ladies asked me to help facilitate the checking process of their translation, to which I agreed. They are experienced translators so they will probably be helping me more than the other way around! They currently live in two separate communities in Arnhem Land, so we haven't yet worked out who will visit who when. At the moment one of them is drafting the story of Jesus' birth from Luke and then we'll go from there. 

Give thanks for these two ladies and their desire to have God's word shared. Pray with me that we will be able to see the beginning of Luke published by Christmas.

*Matjarra is the lady at the beginning of the MAF video above.

Matjarra, Nalmakarra and me

Should efficiency be the ultimate aim?

Both my personality and my culture tell me that doing things faster is better. But I'm starting to learn that that isn't always the case. Sometimes people need time to be ready for something, and particularly in Aboriginal communities, often relationships are more important for effectiveness than efficiency is. It would probably be faster for efficiency-focused people to learn Aboriginal languages and do the translations, but then there would be no ownership of them, they wouldn't sound very natural (if understood at all) and they would likely not be used or valued. So it is important that Aboriginal people are involved in translation, and it's important that they are involved in the publication, release/dedication, digitalising and recording too.

Sometimes having things released too quickly can be painful when you've put a lot of time and effort into something. My director compared it to someone he knew who ran a printing business. If someone came in wanting to print their memoir (which they'd probably worked for decades on) he learnt to tell them it would be ready in a week, even though he could have done it that day. When he had said he'd do it that day, they didn't know how to respond. But having to wait for the book was expected and it gave it more value and allowed them to look forward to it.

Pray that I will be humble, patient and understanding as I interact in another culture.