A Theological and Linguistic Study of the Bono-Twi Translation of the Expressions ἁγιασθήτω and εἰσενέγκῃς in the Matthean Lord’s Prayer

Abstract

Bible translation endeavors in Ghana and other parts of the world have significantly contributed to the establishment and growth of Christianity. However, like any human endeavor, mother-tongue Bible translation comes with many challenges to both the translator and translation agencies. In this regard, the Lord’s Prayer is arguably one of the most difficult texts to translate. This paper examined two challenging expressions in the Matthean Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13), namely ἁγιασθήτω (v.9b) and εἰσενέγκῃς (v.13a), and how their rendition in the ongoing Bono-Twi Bible Translation Project could serve as a model for other Akan mother-tongue translations. The paper is a non empirical research that gathered data from publications on the subject matter, including books, Bible Commentaries, and journal articles. The methodology for the paper consists of three steps: First, exegetical, linguistic, and theological analyses of the selected expressions in the biblical context; second, a sociolinguistic and theological examination of the Bono-Twi rendering and third, a comparative study between the Bono-Twi version and three Akan versions (Asante-Twi, Akuapem-Twi and Fante). The study found the need to go beyond linguistic considerations to include exegetical and theological analysis to correctly render a text from one language to another. To enhance the effectiveness of mother-tongue Bible translation, the paper recommended that agencies, churches, pastors, and theological institutions collaborate by providing proper training, encouraging local language use, and supporting translation efforts through funding, literacy, and theological input. The paper contributes to the academic discourse on the development of mother-tongue translation, theologizing, and exegesis in Ghana and Africa.