Ideology, History and Translation Theories: A critical Analysis of the TshiVenḓa Bible Translation of 1 Kings 21:1-16

 

Kuhumbulele, Divhazwakale na Mahumbulwa a Thalutshedzelo: U Saukanya ho Dzhenelelaho ha 1 Dzikhosi 21:1-16 Bivhilini ya Tshivenda

 

 

Elelwani B Farisani

Unisa

Correspondence

 

 

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ABSTRACT

Although Christianity came to South Africa in 1652, the expansion of Christianity in South Africa began with different missionary societies working among different tribes. For the spread of Christianity to make meaningful impact in the lives of the indigenous people, there arose the need to translate the Bible into various local languages. This may not render the same meaning to local people in their own vernacular. Perhaps this may have contributed to the quest for new translation of the Bible by various locals in order for more meaningful usage of their own vernacular. This paper, therefore, calls for a critical analysis of the Tshivenḓa Bible (1936 version) as it relates to translation ideology, history and translation theories with particular reference to the Tshivenda Bible translation of 1 Kings 21:1-26. This will be done in the following six steps. First, we will discuss translation ideology. Second, we will examine translation history. Third, we will analyse translation theory. Fourth, we will look at the translation of 1 Kings 21:1-16. Here we will start off by examining the 1936 Tshivenḓa Bible translation of 1 Kings 21:1-16. Thereafter we will go on to examine our own translation of the abovementioned text. Fifth, we will compare our own translation to the 1936 Tshivenḓa one. And, finally, we will spell out few challenges facing both translation studies and African Biblical Hermeneutics.

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Correspondence:
Prof. Elelwani B Farisani
Department of Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, University of South Africa
P.O. Box 392, UNISA, 0003
E-mail: fariseb@unisa.ac.za

 

 

¹ Bammbiri iyi yo sumbedziswa kana u vhalwa mutanganoni wa ñwaha wa SBL ngei San Diego, kha ḽa USA nga ňwaha wa 2007.