The San people of Botswana are among Africa's oldest inhabitants. They speak their own language, Naro. They did not have a Bible in their mother tongue. Until recently, the language was barely even written down and many San people could not even read or write. In 1991, Hessel and Coby Visser were sent out to work on a Bible translation in Naro. By now there is a dictionary, the sounds have been described and there is an orthography ('writing rules') and grammar. And since 2012, the San people have had the New Testament in their own language. The translation of the New Testament is still in progress.
How important your mother tongue is, says Rev Olebogile Derek in Doorgeven September 2022: Your language matters, so you matter.
Us, them and you
Dr Visser's translation work enjoys considerable recognition in Botswana and also internationally. He completed his PhD thesis in 2022 with a study of the translation options the Naro has of personal pronouns. In this book, Hessel gives readers an insight into the Naro language and into the kitchen of translation. The book is important: with his 30 years of experience, Dr Visser helps other translators and linguists to translate easier and better in Naro and related Santals.
Much of the thesis is, simply put, about translating we, you and they. The Naro has about six possibilities for each of these words. To translate them, you have to know each time how many people are meant and whether it is about men, women or a mixed group. The words we, you and they occur frequently, so it is hugely important for a Narover translator to understand how this system works. The book discusses all kinds of examples from the Bible and shows how difficult translating is, but also how beautifully it can make Naro clear who is meant.
That translation is sometimes like a puzzle Dr Visser tells in Translating and puzzling.
Storytelling
Besides that translation, the team is involved in teaching the San people to read and write, so that they can read the Bible themselves. They developed a reading method and made reading booklets and other reading materials. Workshops are also held to help people read and apply the Bible. This so-called scripture engagement includes a whole plan to make the Bible available. There is no strong reading culture here; the San people are storytellers. The New Testament is therefore also distributed on digital sound carriers and through storytellers. Coby talks more about that snowball effect in the video below.
Continuity
The translation project, Naro Language Project (NLP), has been an independent Botswana company with its own board since 2016. Dr Hessel Visser handed over the leadership to Br Isaac Khanx'a Saul (MA). The Mission Deputation supports the board and the translation team with advice and financial support.
In the second half of 2023, the coordinator had to be dismissed due to dysfunction. This had quite an impact on all involved. In collaboration with the Bible Society Botswana and the NLP, we are now reflecting on the structure of the NLP. Continuity of translation work is a major prayer point.
After the transfer, Dr Visser started working fully as a translation consultant. He checks translations in several languages. Coby extends the work of scripture engagement to several languages. It is important work, which mission wholeheartedly supports. It is nice to see the Bible being available to more and more population groups. Content responsibility for their work lies with Wycliffe/SIL-SOA.
Church planting
Rev Jan Wessels was dispatched to the San people in 1992 for field and outreach work. When Rev Wessels was repatriated in 2010, responsibility for field and community development work was transferred to three local pastors: Rev Gaobolelwe Ngakayaja, Rev Olebogile Derek and Rev Rethabile Sibeko. They are financially supported by mission for this work. Rev Ngakayaja is now retired. The other two pastors are busy spreading the Gospel in the Naro-speaking villages and building local church life in Chobokwane, East and West Hanahai and Qabo.
