Challenges of Bible/Liturgical Translations in Local Churches in Nigeria: A Case of the Efik Language group.

Christopher Naseri Naseri

Abstract


One hundred years after the arrival of Christianity in Calabar, translating the bible and the liturgical rites into the local language still remains an unfinished and an unsolved task. The early translations that were made appear inadequate especially from the stand point of unavailability of sufficient vocabulary from the local language. Thus one finds within the local language texts, repetition of the English words from where the primary translations were made. Some of these include, ‘Spirit,’ ‘Heaven,’ ‘Eucharist’ and ‘Angel.’ This work attempts an answer as to why these English words have not been replaced with local words. Where equivalent words exist in local languages, the connotation associated with the words tends to discourage attempts at using them in Christian settings. As features of language, ‘signification’ and ‘re-signification’ can help overcome the fear of giving words new significance.


Keywords


Bible translation, Efik language group, Liturgical translations, Signification, Re-signification.

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References


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International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

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