The Rylands Lunchtime Seminar Series: The Bible in West Africa: Exploring Early Missionary Translations
| Dates: | 10 March 2022 |
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| Times: | 12:00 - 13:00 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | John Rylands Library |
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| How much: | Free |
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| Who is it for: | Adults, Alumni, General public |
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Join us for an online lunchtime seminar taking a close look at the earliest translations of the Bible into Twi (spoken mainly in Ghana) and Hausa (spoken primarily in Northern Nigeria). Jane Gallagher (Head of Digital Special Collections and Services at the Rylands) will join researchers Gerardo Serra and Steven Pierce. The event will provide an overview of different ways of thinking about the nature and implications of missionary translations, and formulate some research hypotheses to understand the place of Bible translation in the formation of West African political and economic lexicons.
Colonial expansion in Africa depended on a basic three Cs, Civilisation, Christianity, and Commerce. For many African societies, translating the bible into local languages was a pivotal site of conceptual and linguistic negotiation, re-definition, and invention. Missionary translations of the Old and New Testament made crucial choices of orthography, grammar, and semantics. In doing so, they helped to standardise many languages and to institutionalise their written forms.
This is an online event that will take place via Zoom. Book your free place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-bible-in-west-africa-exploring-early-missionary-translations-tickets-257903174337
This event is part of a live, online lunchtime seminar series. University of Manchester researchers will team up with experts from the Rylands to share current research activities. The seminars will showcase rare and fascinating objects from the special collections, along with discoveries and new perspectives formed through their study. Attendees will be invited to participate with questions and thoughts during the live Q&A
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