Bible Translation into Pasaale by a Muslim and by Christians: A Comparison

Abstract

This study compares two translations of the Gospel of Mark in the Pasaale language, one by a Muslim and another by trained Christian translators. The research aims to assess translation quality by examining key biblical terms, idioms, cultural nuances, and related factors. It highlights the persistent belief within some Christian Bible translation agencies that only Christians should undertake such work without compromise. Allegedly, some agencies even conceal the faith of non-Christian translators, potentially misleading Christian users of the translation. The study, conducted by a non-speaker of Pasaale with the assistance of a trained translator, seeks to determine whether the translator’s faith impacts the quality of their translation when working on scriptures of a different faith. This research contributes to discussions on the interplay between faith and translation quality, particularly in multicultural contexts like Ghana.