Bible Translation in Suriname: An Overview of its History, Translators, and Sources

Dr Frank Jabini’s book is very impressive; he gives a thorough overview of translation work in Suriname. Moreover, this book gives good insight to the inner workings of the technical and logistical details of Bible translation projects. It is a must read for anyone interested in the spread of the Bible translations, the Bible itself and the history of Scripture development in Suriname. Dr Jabini is well suited for this task; he has given a substantial contribution to translation work himself. The Bible Society of Suriname, Guyana and French Guyana is grateful to him for what he has meant for the Bible cause in Suriname.

Paul Doth, Jr

General Secretary

Bible Society of Suriname, Guyana and French Guyana

Dr Franklin Jabini is a man who is passionate about the kingdom of God, and about how to most effectively advance the kingdom of God. In his book on Bible translation in Suriname, he gives very interesting insights into the tensions that exist between various approaches to Bible translation, and factors that have hindered or enhanced the historical progress of translating the Scriptures and other materials in the life of the church in Suriname. The fact that he speaks as an insider, or a national of Suriname, lends tremendous credibility to his views and findings in his years of detailed research into the various mission movements and translation activities into the various languages and creoles of Suriname over a 250-year time frame.

He highlights the complex nature of the sociolinguistic makeup of the Caribbean nations like Suriname due to the slave trade and influence of colonial powers. I appreciate his balanced views on the various denominations and individuals, both missionaries and local people who served in his country, and also the way in which he honors their contributions. Notwithstanding their sincere efforts, Dr Jabini does give his honest opinion of the effectiveness or limitations of their approach to Bible translation and missions. He demonstrates that the Bible in the everyday language of the people among whom church planters work, is an essential tool. He also comes to the conclusion that mother tongue translators produced more natural and acceptable translations than foreign missionaries did in Suriname. He states that these nationals need specialized theological and linguistic training to produce accurate and meaningful translations. Although the book contains much detail of a historical nature, Dr Jabini’s knowledge and personal experience of missiology and Bible translation makes the history come alive. He honors those who have gone before and encourages us to learn from the past so we can be more effective laborers in the kingdom of God. He concludes that Bible agencies and churches need to work in closer partnership and ensure that they are meeting the real and felt needs of the people rather than following their own ideologies.

Dr Barry Funnell

The Word for the World Bible Translators

United Kingdom

This new book of Dr Franklin Jabini, Bible Translation in Suriname, is a valuable book and resource of knowledge about the history of the country and the church. It gives us a clear insight into the beginning and process of Bible translation in the different languages and cultures in this country. Reading this book will give you also a profound insight into the complex composition of the Surinamese society in terms of culture, religion, and ethnicity. Thus, the book is also a short history of the church and her mission.

The fact should also be mentioned that Dr Jabini pays attention to the several levels of participants in the process of Bible translations in Suriname. He looks at the biblical scholars, the linguists and the indigenous brothers and sisters with their knowledge of culture and language. It is clear that everybody, whatever their ethnicity, cultural or educational background, can render a valuable contribution to the furthering of the kingdom of God in this world.

Finally, yet importantly, it is worth mentioning that the way in which Dr Jabini has written this book gives us a glimpse of how respectful he is for diversity and his ecumenical commitment. Thank you!

I am warmly recommending this book. May the Lord bless every reader.

The Right Reverend John Kent

Moravian Church

Suriname

The author, who has great affinity with the subject matter, gives a detailed overview of Bible translations in one of the most multicultural societies of South America. The book provides the history of Bible translations in Suriname, biographical information of the translators and discusses the challenges of translating ancient texts and foreign concepts into a different cultural setting.

Dr Paul Peucker

Archivist of the Moravian Church in America

Northern Province, USA

Bible Translation in Suriname is a unique book which provides a panoramic perspective of the Bible’s translation in Suriname over a period of 250 years. It is unique in that it lists all the major translation agencies, the names of the translators, the dates of their involvement and the areas in which they labored. The author has also furnished the localities of eight international archives.

The usefulness of this volume is further enhanced by providing a quick reference to the history of Bible translations in Suriname in a very readable format and will prove to be an indispensable reference work. The information will be of particular interest to historians interested in languages used in that country and the development of the local churches and denominations.

An excellent bibliography is provided as well as all the translators’ names and their areas of expertise. Of further interest to future researchers is the section containing nine separate tables.

Dr Jabini is involved in teaching missiology, among other theological disciplines. As a Surinamese, he has been personally involved in the ‘nitty gritty’ of Bible translation in the country of his birth.

This volume deserves a place in every seminary and theological institution’s library, whether in the printed or electronic format.

Professor Arthur Song

Former Dean, Faculty of Theology and Religion Studies

University of Zululand, South Africa

Dr Franklin Jabini’s book Bible Translation in Suriname is a must read for anyone interested in Bible translation in general and modern church development, specifically through the lens of the Caribbean region’s rich history of Bible translation, minority language and Creole language development, regional church history, missions and the growth of an emancipated local church. Jabini combines his interest in church history with his own expertise and experience in Bible translation in an attractive narrative, filled with important biographical details, but not lacking in valuable interaction with theoretical considerations relevant to the field of (Bible) translation studies. Bible translators, who usually work in anonymity, receive a name and a face in this writing. It will be interesting to see how churches and translators all over the Caribbean will interact with the material presented here and how Jabini’s continuing passionate but well-informed crusade to revitalize our own Caribbean historiography, will encourage similar efforts in the rest of the Caribbean, both ongoing, as well as future collaborative projects. This book fits the growing trend in localized and regional documentation and historical interpretation of Bible translation, which is not provincial or isolated by any means, but very much part of an ongoing global dialogue.

Rev Dr Marlon Winedt

Global Translation Advisor

United Bible Societies

Willemstad, Curaçao

Bible Translation in Suriname

An Overview of its History, Translators, and Sources

Franklin Steven Jabini

© 2015 by Franklin Steven Jabini

Published 2015 by Langham Monographs

an imprint of Langham Creative Projects

Langham Partnership

PO Box 296, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 9WZ, UK

www.langham.org

ISBNs:

978-1-78368-904-0 Print

978-1-78368-053-5 Mobi

978-1-78368-052-8 ePub

978-1-78368-054-2 PDF

Franklin Jabini has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988 to be identified as the Author of this work.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher or the Copyright Licensing Agency.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from the New English Translation (NET). NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. www.bible.org. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

Jabini, Franklin Steven, author.

Bible translation in Suriname : an overview of its history,

translators, and sources.

1. Bible--Translating--Suriname. 2. Bible--Versions.

I. Title

220.4’09883-dc23

ISBN-13: 9781783689040

Cover & Book Design: projectluz.com

Langham Partnership actively supports theological dialogue and a scholar’s right to publish but does not necessarily endorse the views and opinions set forth, and works referenced within this publication or guarantee its technical and grammatical correctness. Langham Partnership does not accept any responsibility or liability to persons or property as a consequence of the reading, use or interpretation of its published content.

Converted to eBook by EasyEPUB

To John and Susan Wilner and all the Bible translators in Suriname, both past and present

To the memory of Flora (Flory) Jeanette Mary Brul (1939–2007)

Contents

Cover

Foreword

Abstract

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Chapter 1 The Bible in Translation: Introduction

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Ethnicity and language in Suriname

1.3 What is Bible translation?

1.4 The early Surinamese society: 1650–1740

1.5 Structure and method of this book

Part I

Early Translations, 1740–1955

Chapter 2 Missionary Linguistics: Arawak and Saramaccan

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Arawak Scriptures

2.3 Saramaccan: Early beginnings (1765–1805)

Chapter 3 Acceptance of the Bible: Sranantongo

3.1 Introduction

3.2 The Moravians

3.3 The Roman Catholic Church

3.4 The first native Surinamese Bible Translator

3.5 Conclusion

Chapter 4 Bible Distribution and Translation Agencies

4.1 Introduction

4.2 The Dutch Bible Society (1814–1900)

4.3 Vereeniging tot verspreiding van Bijbels en Traktaten in Suriname (1900–1950)

4.4 Towards a Surinamese Bible Society (1966–2006)

4.5 Summer Institute of Linguistics (1966–2001)

Part II

Fifty Years of Bible Translations, 1956–2003

Chapter 5 Partnership: Sranantongo

5.1 Introduction

5.2 The revision of Old Sranantongo translations (1956–1961)

5.3 Towards a new Sranantongo Bible: Genesis (1972–1977)

5.4 A new translation of the New Testament (1977–2002)

5.5 An Old Testament project

5.6 Non-print media

5.7 Other translations

5.8 Conclusion

Chapter 6 Mentorship: Saramaccan and Ndyuka

6.1 Introduction

6.2 The Bible Society (1956–1963)

6.3 Saramaccan New Testament (1968–1998)

6.4 Ndyuka New Testament (1968–1999)

Chapter 7 Ownership: The Languages of the Indigenous Peoples

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Arawak (1972–1978)

7.3 Carib (1968–2003)

7.4 Trio and Wayana (1959–1979)

Chapter 8 Independency: Surinamese Javanese and Sarnami Hindustani

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Sarnami Hindustani (1973–1998)

8.3 Surinamese Javanese (1979–2001)

Chapter 9 Issues in Bible Translation

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Partnership of stakeholders

9.3 Type of translation

9.4 Languages for Bible translation

9.5 Format of Scriptures

9.6 How much of the Bible?

9.7 Translating names of deity in Suriname

9.8 Recommendations

Part III

Translators

A

B

C

D

F

G

H

K

L

M

P

Q

R

S

T

V

W

Z

Part IV

Sources

Location of translations

Literature on Bible translation in Suriname

Guide to translations

Sample verses

Photos

Bibliography

About Langham Partnership

Endnotes

Foreword

As Lamin Sanneh so cogently reminded us a quarter century ago, the Christian message has been from the beginning a translated message. Long before Jesus of Nazareth began his teaching ministry, his people were using translated Scriptures. What the Spirit-led gospel writers have given us of his words is almost entirely in translation. And when the promise of the Father was given at Pentecost, visitors from many language backgrounds heard a translated message.

The centrality of translation, and of Bible translation in particular, to the spread of the good news around the world is enough to ensure a welcome for a book like this that chronicles part of that story. As Sanneh put it in a 2003 interview, When you come to reflect on it, it is staggering to think how much work remains still to be done in the scholarly study of vernacular Bible translation given the place it has occupied in history. The book in your hands not only fills a part of that gap, but does so for a country whose Bible translation heritage – spanning now more than 250 years – has remained until now relatively little known.

We are fortunate, then, to have this detailed account of Bible translation in Suriname, and to have it from the hand of a Surinamer who has himself been a part of that history – as a native speaker of a language of Suriname (Saramaccan) and as a translator, exegete, and consultant. To his personal acquaintance with Bible translation in Suriname, Dr Jabini has added long hours in archives, bringing us a detailed portrait of this translation history from the mid-eighteenth century to the present, across the many language groups of Suriname, large and small.

His account does not stop with reporting names and dates, valuable as such information can be. The story of Bible translation in Suriname is set in the context of Bible translation through the millennia and around the world, and gives realistic insight into the nature of translation; the various ways, some more effective than others, in which it has been done; the variety of relationships of churches with each other and with parachurch organizations engaging in translation; the sociopolitical contexts in which Bible translation is unavoidably carried out; and even administrative and interpersonal matters which have played their roles, for better or for worse, in accomplishing, or sometimes impeding completion of, the task. All of this is presented in an uncomplicated English style that makes the information accessible to many readers for whom English is not their first language.

For many readers, this book will be a valuable reference tool, one to return to often for biographical information on translators and other members of translation teams; for the ebb and flow of translation and publication of Scripture by various churches and translation agencies among various language groups; for the differing ways in which specific translation issues have been confronted and resolved; and for the slow progress from translation carried out mostly by expatriates to today’s partnerships in translation projects under the direction of the community who will use a given translation.

For these and other readers, this book can be an encouragement and inspiration as the story of making God’s written word available in one language after another unfolds. It will give understanding of some of the difficult questions that Bible translators must face, understanding that I trust will give rise to thanksgiving for having the Bible in our own languages, appreciation for the many women and men over the years whose labors have given us our Bibles, and intercession for today’s translators and organizations still at work in the task remaining before us. May there be many among those who pick up this book who prayerfully read, listen, and follow God’s leading in joining others in the continuing tradition of Bible translation for the peoples of Suriname and for the world!

George Huttar

Manassas, Virginia, USA

February 2015

Abstract

This book is a survey of the history of Bible translations in the languages of Suriname. The first part deals with the era of missionary translations (ca. 1740–1950), while the second studies the work of translation organizations (ca. 1950–2003). A brief introduction looks at ethnicity and languages of Suriname (1.2) and explains translation as it is used in this book (1.3). Section 1.4 presents the role of the Bible in the early Surinamese plantation colony between 1651 and 1740.

The first part of the book surveys the work done by predominantly German missionaries in Arawak, Saramaccan and Sranantongo (chapters 2–3). The study surveys all the translations. Although most of the translations did not appear in print, they were read aloud during the morning and evening devotions and in the church services. Within that context, the translations proved to be very helpful. The Roman Catholics translated the catechism, into the native languages. They did not translate the Bible, but they published a few lectionaries in Sranantongo. The first Surinamese Bible translator was an independent Baptist minister, who translated and published various Old Testament books in Sranantongo. An auxiliary of the Netherlands Bible Society in Suriname was responsible for the distribution of Scriptures in the nineteenth century. In the twentieth century, leaders of the Protestant churches in the country founded an organization to distribute Bibles and tracts (chapter 4).

The second part of the book focuses on the work done by the Bible Society, the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL), World Team and individual translators from 1950 to 2003 (chapters 5–8). This period differs from the previous one because the translators did not translate the Bible within the setting of church planting. During the 1960s translations became the activity of para-church organizations, such as the Bible Society and SIL International. These organizations published the New Testament in Carib, Sranantongo, Saramaccan, Ndyuka, Sarnami and Surinamese Javanese. Although missions among these ethnic groups continued, the majority of churches did not participate in the translation projects. This differs from the Trio and Wayana translations. Members of the World Team translated the New Testament in these two languages within the setting of a church mission and church planting.

Chapter 9 concludes the historical section by looking at six issues that translators faced in Suriname. These include the type, language, format and size of Scriptures. Furthermore, a case is made for cooperation between translation agencies, churches and academic institutions.

The book furnishes a brief biography of translators, both national and foreign, coming from different denominational backgrounds (Part III). Part IV is a list of translations done in the Surinamese languages.

Acknowledgments

I am dedicating this book to John and Susan Wilner. They were the first to encourage me to seriously consider becoming involved in Bible translation. I did exegetical