Which language …

Rudy works with a SIL team producing Tok Pisin translations of English documents – anything from education material to manuals for commercial use.

Recently Rudy wrote, “For years, I’d say that Tok Pisin is my mother tongue, the  language I grew up speaking. When asked if I know the languages that my parents speak, my answer would always be,  “No, I don’t know the language”.

(Truth, I understand most of my father’s language although I can’t speak it and some of my mother’s language). This morning I decided to read from three different languages in my devotion time, English, Tok Pisin and Suena (dad’s language).

Instead of starting with English and Tok Pisin, I decided to read Suena, the language I claim to not know well. I had tears in my eyes after reading it, it meant more, I understand everything stated in that verse, English and Tok Pisin dulled in comparison to that verse read in Suena.”

Suena           _9′Ago wenua, are Anutu meni numa puro witiro ema Tua bamubake potinua awa. Potiro zazo bowire nuso meni erama dapikaragora zazo bowire dainaise senua awa. ₁₀Tani ego ine ama kei awaise sero ago wenua awa. Utura nowera, o zebura nowera, o zebu tura nowera, nukare dapikarago ami Yesu bowi inoise bawa diro kokoinarise. ₁₁Agoro erama dapikarago meni “Yesu Kristo nu imata Tua noya,” ago sarise. Ago sara Anutu Mamera zazo bowire ike damu itaise.’ Filipai 2 v 9-11

Tok Pisin      _9′Long dispela as tasol God i litimapim Jisas na mekim em i stap antap tru. Na God i givim em wanpela nem i gutpela tru na i winim olgeta arapela nem. ₁₀Em i givim dispela nem long Jisas, bai olgeta ensel na olgeta man na ol arapela samting i stap long heven na long graun na aninit long graun ol i ken brukim skru long ai bilong Jisas na i stap aninit long em. ₁₁Na olgeta bilong ol i ken taokaut olsem, “Jisas Krais em i Bikpela.” Na long dispela pasin ol bai i givim biknem long God Papa.’ Filipai 2 v 9-11

English          _9′Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ₁₀that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ₁₁and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ Philippians 2 v 9-11

Please pray …

 for Rudy as she continues to grow in her faith and share with others

• that having Scripture in tok ples (vernacular language) would lead many people to a deeper understanding of God’s word