This paper is about the contribution of Bible translation in advancing the gospel of Christ in Takad land. The study aims primarily at Bible translation as a foundation for Christian mission and learning, which the use of mother tongue has been said to be more impactful.
In the study, it was found out that from the original language, there has been a long history with various reasons for advancing Bible translation that were either genuine or non-genuine, ranging from reading the word of God; the necessity of preserving the religious legacy; educational need to selfishness. In particular, since the 19th and 20th century, the significance of the Bible translation in driving mission work worldwide especially the tertiary version increasingly became indisputable among the relevant stakeholders.
It was also found out that nothing is more important than one to hear the wonders of God in a language that speaks to one’s heart, the mother tongue, a confirmation of how Pentecost was accepted. The study of the Takad project strongly revealed that lack of understanding of scripture by the language speakers has been a hindrance to the growth of the gospel.
Furthermore, the use of a secondary language such as Hausa or English in communicating the gospel to the Takad language speaker has not been effective, as the gospel message is not fully understood.
The study revealed that adopting the Takad Bible will not only enhance the advancement of the gospel in Takad land, it will also serve as a foundation of learning the Takad language by the various Takad dialects.
Table of Contents
I. INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Research Questions
Significance of the study
Structure of the research proposal
Scope and Delimitations of the Study
Limitation of the study
Definition of Terms
Conclusion
II. LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
The concept of Bible translation
A historical overview of Bible Translation
Mother tongue and Bible Translation in Nigeria
Bible translation as a strategy in advancing the gospel
Ways of sustaining the Bible Translation strategy
Challenges of Bible Translation
The importance of language
Bible translation and culture
A brief historical development of Takad land
Theoretical framework in Bible Translation
Conclusion
III. METHODOLOGY
Introduction
Research Design
Population and Sample of the study
Researcher Personal experiences
Instrument for data Collection
Data Collection, display and Analysis
IV. DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
Introduction
Presentation of the field findings and analysis
Conclusion
V. SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
Introduction
Summary of the Major Findings on the Study
Conclusion
Recommendations
Research Objectives and Themes
This study investigates the contribution of Bible translation to the advancement of the gospel of Christ within the Takad land context. It aims to determine how translating scripture into the mother tongue—the primary language of daily interaction—enhances gospel understanding, promotes literacy, and supports the overall well-being and development of the Takad people compared to using secondary languages like Hausa or English.
- The impact of Bible translation on the growth of the gospel and Christian faith.
- The importance of mother-tongue instruction for effective learning and literacy.
- Methods for overcoming linguistic and dialectal challenges in Bible translation.
- Strategies for achieving contextualization and cultural relevance in mission work.
- The role of Bible translation in community transformation and socio-economic development.
Excerpt from the Book
The importance of language
The event in Acts 2 demonstrates God’s acceptance of every language and how he uses each to bring glory to himself. Andrew Walls argues that “Christian faith rests on a divine act of translation- the Word became flesh and dwelt among us- (Jn1:14)” This further means that just as the Word became Jesus and dwelt among us, so also the Christian faith is preserved or remains in the vernacular Bible. So, from this passage it becomes very clear that incarnation amounts to translation.
“When God in Christ became man, Divinity was translated into humanity, as though humanity were a receptor language”.. Jesus, however, was not translated into a “general” language—he did not become a “general” man; rather, he became a particular person in a particular time and place: Jesus, a first-century Jew in Palestine! ........Christ was not simply a loanword adopted into the vocabulary of humanity; rather, he was fully translated, taken into the functional system of the language, into the fullest reaches of personality, experience, and social relationship”.
For this reason, Mojola together with some other Bible Scholar observers remarked that “the survival of the Coptic and Ethiopian Orthodox Churches to this day is in no small measure testimony to the power of Bible translation and of the written Word”. Moreover, from this perspective, he underscores “the necessity of rooting Christian discourse and practice deeply in the common culture and dialect, in the everyday practices of the ordinary person in their mundane daily existence”. Nothing is therefore more important than one to hear the wonders of God in a language that one understands. In addition, the importance of translation which, God himself initiated on the day of Pentecost, should be seen in the light of proper disciple- making.
Summary of Chapters
I. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the background, problem statement, purpose, and significance of the study regarding Bible translation in Takad land, including key definitions and research scope.
II. LITERATURE REVIEW: Examines concepts of Bible translation, historical overviews of its role in mission, the impact of mother tongue, challenges involved, and the theoretical framework of incarnation and cultural translatability.
III. METHODOLOGY: Details the qualitative research approach, research design, population and sample selection, researcher experiences, and the instruments used for data collection and analysis.
IV. DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS: Presents the findings from the administered questionnaires, providing detailed interpretations and tabulations of respondent views on the challenges and effects of translation.
V. SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION: Synthesizes the major findings, provides conclusive remarks, and offers specific recommendations for stakeholders, the Church, and government agencies to support Bible translation.
Keywords
Bible translation, Takad land, Mother tongue, Christian mission, Gospel advancement, Contextualization, Literacy development, Vernacular education, Incarnation, Minority tribes, Linguistic challenges, Scripture engagement, Indigenous churches, Socio-economic development, Missionary work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on the contribution of Bible translation to the advancement of the gospel of Christ specifically within the Takad community in Nigeria.
What are the primary themes discussed in this work?
Key themes include the role of the mother tongue in effective communication of the gospel, the historical development of Bible translation, the challenges of linguistic diversity, and the link between translation, literacy, and community development.
What is the ultimate goal of the research?
The primary goal is to assess the significance of translating the Bible into the Takad language to improve scripture understanding, increase commitment to the Christian faith, and foster educational and social development.
What methodology does the author employ?
The study uses a qualitative social research approach, utilizing questionnaires administered to 120 respondents across eight categories to gather and analyze field data.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers the literature on Bible translation, the specific historical and social context of the Takad people, and a thorough analysis of survey findings regarding translation challenges and impacts.
Which keywords characterize this work?
The work is defined by terms such as Bible translation, Takad land, mother tongue, Christian mission, contextualization, and literacy development.
How does the author view the connection between incarnation and translation?
The author, drawing on Andrew Walls, views incarnation as a "divine act of translation," where the Word became flesh to dwell among humanity, establishing the theological necessity for the gospel to be articulated in every local culture and language.
Why does the author consider Hausa or English ineffective for the Takad people?
The author argues that using these secondary languages is less effective because they are not the "heart languages" of the Takad people, meaning the gospel message is not fully understood or internalized.
- Quote paper
- Joshua Kasai (Author), 2019, Bible Translation in advancing the Gospel of Christ in Takad Land, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1181560
