Working with Translators

The children of Old Naledi all speak Tswana very well, but English is NOT an easy language, and they have not been in a position to learn it.  Consequently Bible stories, songs and games are taught in English and then a translator repeats it is Tswana.  Even the game "duck, duck, goose" is played in Tswana.

The Bible story is probably the hardest to communicate in Tswana.  A lot of common terms us old-timers take for granted don't translate easily.   Think how a common term like "receive the L^rd Jesus Christ into your heart" might sound to someone who hasn't heard that concept before.

"Will this involve surgery?" might be a logical question.

Some of the CRU students have never worked with a translator.  The translators are BOTSCRU students, and they are very good, and very patient.

It's tough working with translators- for both speakers- but here are some things to do:
1) Speak slowly, the translator has to hear every word and translate it.
2) Use SHORT phrases.  The translator has to remember EVERYTHING you said and convert it, then repeat it.
3) Avoid slang terms.  We use hundreds of odd phrases in Christianity such as "Getting in the Word", and we use odd terms in English, such as "airhead"  "bad- meaning awesome- not bad", "awesome" applied to things that are not so awesome.  You know the drill.  (Gotcha).
4) Cut your lesson about in half- every sentence will be repeated, taking twice as long.

On the other hand, I like speaking with translators.  If forces me to slow down.  It gives me time to think while the translators is speaking. 

One of my good friends, and American living in Central America, does simultaneous translation.  While I am speaking, she is likewise speaking in Spanish.  This can be a bit unnerving, at least for me, but once you get used to it, it's not so bad.

Fortunately for us, we have a translator that intercedes for us.  Romans 8:34 asks/tells us, "Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us."

Hopefully that needs no translation.