Bible translation and lexical elaboration

Author:

Oyali Uchenna

Abstract

This study investigates how the translation of the word ‘virgin’ in the Igbo Bible has expanded the Igbo lexicon and how this lexical enrichment has spread among Igbo speakers. Although prior to their encounter with Christian missionaries in the 19th century and the subsequent translation of the Bible into Igbo, Igbo people had words that referred to virgin, these words were polysemous as they were also used for young and unmarried persons. In the course of translating the Bible into Igbo, Christian missionaries transferred the biblical euphemism for sex, ‘to know’, into the Igbo Bible and used same to innovate terms for ‘virgin’, thereby distinguishing a virgin from an unmarried or young person who might have had sex. Adapting the concept of language elaboration, this study analyses the lexical processes involved in creating these new terms. Then it presents findings from a questionnaire survey on the spread of the innovated terms among Igbo speakers. The survey findings demonstrate that the biblical innovations have not only spread among Igbo speakers but also became a springboard for further lexical innovations. This article accentuates the impact of Bible translation in reshaping the Igbo language. It also reveals the involvement of the language users in the process of language change.

Publisher

Equinox Publishing

Subject

Linguistics and Language,Sociology and Political Science,Language and Linguistics

Reference33 articles.

1. Agba Ofu nke Dinwenu-Ayi na Onye-Nzoputa-Ayi Jesu Kristi n’Asusu Ibo (1900) London: British and Foreign Bible Society.

2. Ahamefuna, N. (2021) On the translation of virgin in the Igbo Rhapsody of Realities Bible. Phone interview, 18 September.

3. Anchimbe, E. A. (2006) Cameroon English: Authenticity, ecology and evolution. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang.

4. Anyi, C. M. (2017) “Writing in Nigeria is not a goldmine and expecting quick cash is self-delusion”: Interview with Nnenna Ihebom. On the spot 6. Retrieved from: https://www.poetsinnigeria.org.ng/index.php/on-the-spot-issue-6-writing-in-nigeria-is-not-a-goldmine-and-expecting-quick-cash-is-self-delusion-nnenna-ihebom/.

5. Baibul Nso (1988) Enugu: International Bible Society.

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3