You might misunderstand my English

The Plain English Version is sometimes used by Standard English speakers who are doing ministry with speakers of Indigenous languages, or by Indigenous Australians who grow up speaking English as their dominant language. So even though our target audience is speakers of Indigenous languages, we also want to consider how Standard English speakers will interpret things. 

Here are a couple of example translations that we decided to change because we thought Standard English speakers might misunderstand them. See if you can figure out the two meanings. 

1 John 1:9a

But if we talk straight to God about the bad things we do, and if we tell him that we are sorry, then he will let go of those bad things, and he will never do payback to us.

1 John 3:8c

Jesus came to earth to finish up the devil’s work.

The explanation is below.

Give thanks that so many people are using the Plain English Version and finding it helpful. Pray for wisdom when translating to ensure that it won't be misunderstood.

The two meanings & the solutions

1 John 1:9a

But if we talk straight to God ...

Aboriginal English: If we talk honestly to God

Standard English: if we talk directly to God

Now: But if we pray to God and talk straight about the bad things we do ...

1 John 3:8c

Jesus came to finish up the devil’s work.

Aboriginal English: Jesus came to destroy the devil’s work.

Standard English: Jesus came to continue/complete the devil’s work.

Now: Jesus came to stop the devil’s work for ever.