Word Search

During the last week of a translation workshop in Papua New Guinea, teams from the Aitape West translation project finished final checking of 1-2 Peter and 1-2 Thessalonians in nine languages. One of the difficult terms to translate was Peter’s description of false teachers in 2 Peter 2:17 as “springs without water.”

After discussion, one translator suggested they use the term raiyn iyn tokkoiynpaija takwama ropon epin kamlan, which means “water that boils through and up from a deep hole has dried.” He explained how they have springs like this in his area that provide clean water for drinking. However, when the spring dries up it becomes a useless, stinking and overgrown hole in the ground.

Source: Frontlines (Wycliffe U.S. publication)
Posted in