The hazzards of tonal languages
Lubwisi, the language of Nyahuka village, is a tonal lanuage (which means one word or syllable may change meanings completely five different time depending on the tone you use). This is fun but a bit frightening. We are learning to hear tones here at PILAT.
We heard a story from one of our language trainers about a missionary who had worked with native people in Canada, writing down their tonal language and translating the Bible for them. All in all the missionary had done very well, but some trained translators had the opportunity to come in and revise his work. They found that the 23rd Psalm (one that surprisingly had not been used much by the nationals since translation) had some inaccuracies in tonal translation (just tonal) leading to this reading:
” The Lord is my Sheep-herder
He provides what I need
He comes to me by still waters
He hits me over the head
and drags me to the river.”
That is too funny! What a frightening translation!!!!
Oh that is so funny… thanks for the laugh! It’s been great to read about your preparation for Uganda. We’ll be with you in prayer!
ROFL
yikes! that can get you in trouble without realizing it! lol