Revisions on previous publications help develop translatorsand improve clarity. (Burunge Language Project - Tanzania)
Some of the translation software we use
has also changed. We now have tools that will quickly collect all of the
occurrences of a given Hebrew or Greek word and then provide us with a list of
the way(s) we have translated it into Burunge. This tool helps us stay
consistent in how we are translating key terms and phrases.
One issue that surfaced during the revision was the way we were
translating the term "redeemer." Listening to the translators'
conversation about how to express this term in Burunge was fascinating. Their
culture is much more like Biblical Hebrew culture, to the point that the sandal
exchange in Ruth 4:8 is not foreign at all to them. Also, Levirate Marriage
(marrying the widow of your close relative) is still practiced by the Burunge
people. So when discussing how to describe Boaz as the
"kinsman-redeemer," the translators had the perfect words in their
language to fit the situation. It was ironic that I am supposed to be the exegetical
adviser, yet they probably understand the culture and meaning of Ruth much
better than me.