|
A SELECTED "NORTHERN LIGHTS"
MAGAZINE ARTICLE
(from Issue #481)
Intelligible Words
by Tim Gradin
 Most
Dene (Chipewyan) people who live in northern Alberta, Saskatchewan,
Manitoba, and in the Northwest Territories can use the English language
to meet their basic daily needs. In fact, in some communities the Native
language is hardly used at all.
But that does not mean that a visitor can expect to be perfectly
understood! Some English words are used differently in some of these
isolated communities. For instance, for me, a warehouse is a big
building used to store commercial goods. But for them it might mean a
small storage shed in back of the house.
I remember an incident about 20 years ago when I was attempting to
understand a man in Black Lake (SK) who was saying, "I you pay,"
along with some other words and many hand gestures. Finally, with the
help of someone else, I was able to understand that he was wanting me to
take him to the airport in Stony Rapids and he would pay me. (The word
order in the Dene language is subject, then object, then verb.)
Many Dene people would find it difficult to appreciate a pun or a
joke in English because of the nuances of the language. Accurately
communicating God's message to people is far more important than
having them be able to understand our jokes. Yet how easy it is to
assume that, since we can talk and joke around with them a bit in
English -- about the weather and about fishing -- we can also expect
them to always adequately understand us. Our mandate is to be
communicating God's gracious offer to forgive us our sin and indwell
us by the Holy Spirit if we have faith in the redemptive work of Christ.
On the day of Pentecost, what was it that caused the God-fearing Jews
from other nations staying in Jerusalem to gather and be so bewildered? "Utterly amazed, they asked:
'Are not all these men who are speaking
Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native
language? ... we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own
tongues!'" (Acts 2:7,8,11b; NIV).
Though they had moved away from the place of their birth and now used
a different language, hearing the "unlearned" disciples communicate
spiritual truth to them in their Native language made a deep impression
on them.
Paul's instructions to the Corinthians gives us a powerful reason
to take the time to be able to communicate God's message to people in
their heart language:
"Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in [a language you can't
understand], what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some
[relevant message in a language you can understand]? Even in the case of
lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will
anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in
the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will
get ready for battle?
So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your
tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be
speaking into the air. Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in
the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp
the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker,
and he is a foreigner to me. So it is with you ... but ... I would
rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten
thousand words in a [language that will not be understood]" (1 Cor.
14:6-12a,19; NIV -- adaptations in brackets are mine).
Though the Gospel of Mark was published in Dene several years ago,
that is just a small portion of God's message to them. Gilbert
Bekkatla and I are currently translating the Book of Genesis in order to
help give its foundational truths about God and His desire to have a
relationship with people.
There are great challenges in trying to bring the message of Genesis
to Dene people in such a way that it will really speak to their heart.
Although there are many similarities in their culture to that of the
patriarchs (for instance, living in tents), there are great differences,
too. (For the most part, they have no experience in keeping grazing
animals.)
The Dene language is very difficult for an English-speaker to learn.
Aside from its many unusual sounds (including nasals, tones and clicks),
Dene is very specific in areas where English is not (you must indicate
whether a brother is older or younger) and sometimes very unspecific
where English is specific (there is no distinction in the third person
between he, she, or it).
The process of searching for the right Dene words forces us to study
the text more closely than one normally would. We need to know the
context, the cultural background, and some specific information about
words in the original language. This helps us to have a better
understanding of God's Word personally. As a result, we have an
increasing burden to pass that message on to the Dene people.
The privilege of translating God's Word carries with it a very
great responsibility. A slight mistake in communicating a concept can
easily lead to heresy. Think of how important the concept of grace is in
relation to the Gospel. Right now, we do not have a word that adequately
communicates that concept without explanation.
Would you please pray for us to be able to get the translation "right"
the first time? Also, we need other Dene Christians to get involved in
the translation process to assure accuracy.
In Nehemiah 8, God's message had a deep impact on the people as
Ezra read it, and those helping him translated it into the language they
used. Please pray with us that God will prepare the Dene people to
receive and understand His Word.
 After
living in Saskatchewan Dene communities further north, Tim & Ginny
Gradin now reside near Prince Albert. Besides translation work, Tim is
also involved in prison outreach.
Back to Northern Lights magazine
index
Back to SELECTED Northern Lights Magazine
Articles INDEX
|
