UC#2 suggested we look into some familiar and unfamiliar books that have a large number of translations. Our starting point is a Wikipedia article that ranks books by translations.
But before we get too far, we sense that the internet is turning on us.
The Top Ten
#1: The Bible
We discussed an interesting translation into the Gullah Geechee language in a previous BLOTT.
Elder G describes some of the more unusual translations:
The Bible has been translated into many languages and dialects, some of which are quite unusual and fascinating. Here are a few notable examples:
1. **Hawaiian Pidgin (Da Jesus Book)**: This translation uses Hawaiian Pidgin, a creole language spoken in Hawaii. The New Testament is known as “Da Jesus Book,” which gives a unique and culturally relevant perspective on the scriptures.
2. **Klingon**: For fans of Star Trek, parts of the Bible have been translated into Klingon, a constructed language spoken by the fictional Klingon species. This translation is more of a novelty but showcases the cultural impact of the Bible.
3. **Pawnee**: The Bible has been translated into Pawnee, an indigenous language spoken by the Pawnee people of Oklahoma. This translation is part of efforts to preserve and revitalize the language.
4. **Elvish (Quenya)**: Some passages of the Bible have been translated into Quenya, an Elvish language created by J.R.R. Tolkien. Like the Klingon translation, this one is primarily for enthusiasts and shows the Bible’s reach into various cultural phenomena.
5. **Emoji Bible**: An emoji translation of the Bible was created to make the scriptures more accessible and engaging to a younger, tech-savvy audience. It replaces many words and concepts with emojis.
6. **Cornish**: Cornish, a Celtic language of Cornwall, England, has also seen translations of the Bible. This effort is part of the broader movement to revive the Cornish language.
7. **Esperanto**: Esperanto, a constructed international auxiliary language, has its own translation of the Bible, aimed at fostering understanding among speakers of different native languages.
8. **Hmong**: The Hmong language, spoken by the Hmong people in regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and among diaspora communities, has its own translation of the Bible, supporting the linguistic and cultural identity of the Hmong Christians.
And because we can leave no turn un-stoned….
Emoji Bible
From The Guardian:
Totalling just under 3,300 pages, the book – subtitled “Scripture 4 Millennials” – was made available on the iTunes store for US $2.99 on Sunday.
The translator told Guardian Australia that he or she preferred to remain anonymous, identifying only as the cool-dude-with-sunglasses emoji: 😎.
“I thought if we fast forwarded 100 years in the future, an emoji bible would exist,” said 😎. “So I thought it’d be fun to try to make it …
“I wanted to make it similar to how you might text or tweet a bible verse, by shrinking the total character count.”
Psalm 23, King James Version An image of Psalm 23 (King James’ Version), frontispiece to the 1880 omnibus printing of The Sunday at Home. (Wikipedia)
Elvish (Quenya) is quite a beautiful script.
#4: Dao De Jing / Tao Te Ching
The Tao Te Ching is a Chinese classic text and foundational work of Taoism traditionally credited to the sage Laozi, though the text’s authorship, date of composition and date of compilation are debated.
The Tao Te Ching is a text of around 5,000 Chinese characters in 81 brief chapters or sections (章). There is some evidence that the chapter divisions were later additions—for commentary, or as aids to rote memorisation—and that the original text was more fluidly organised.
The Tao Te Ching describes the Tao as the source and ideal of all existence: it is unseen, but not transcendent, immensely powerful yet supremely humble, being the root of all things. People have desires and free will (and thus are able to alter their own nature). Many act “unnaturally”, upsetting the natural balance of the Tao. The Tao Te Ching intends to lead students to a “return” to their natural state, in harmony with Tao. Language and conventional wisdom are critically assessed. Taoism views them as inherently biased and artificial, widely using paradoxes to sharpen the point.
Depiction of Laozi in E. T. C. Werner’s Myths and Legends of China By Photo Dharma from Penang, Malaysia – 016 Lao zi, CC BY 2.0
Wu wei, literally ‘non-action‘ or ‘not acting’, is a central concept of the Tao Te Ching. The concept of wu wei is multifaceted, and reflected in the words’ multiple meanings, even in English translation; it can mean “not doing anything”, “not forcing”, “not acting” in the theatrical sense, “creating nothingness”, “acting spontaneously”, and “flowing with the moment”.
Elder G offers us a summary of applying Tao Te Ching in our everyday lives.
The **Tao Te Ching** offers timeless wisdom that can be applied to everyday living. Here are some practical pieces of advice derived from its teachings:
Embrace Simplicity **Less is more**: Simplify your life by focusing on what truly matters. Avoid unnecessary complications and clutter.
**Contentment**: Be content with what you have. Finding joy in simplicity can lead to a more fulfilling life.
Practice Wu Wei (Non-Action) **Go with the flow**: Act in harmony with the natural course of things rather than forcing outcomes. Trust the process and adapt to circumstances.
– **Effortless action**: Strive to achieve results with minimal effort by aligning your actions with the natural order and timing.
Cultivate Humility **Be humble**: Recognize that you are part of a larger whole. Avoid arrogance and pride.
**Serve others**: True leadership comes from serving others and putting their needs above your own.
Embrace Opposites **Balance**: Understand that life consists of opposites (Yin and Yang). Embrace both sides to maintain balance and harmony.
**Flexibility**: Be flexible and adaptable, able to bend without breaking in the face of challenges.
Live Naturally **Be authentic**: Stay true to your nature and values. Authenticity leads to a more genuine and satisfying life.
**Connect with nature**: Spend time in nature to reconnect with the Tao and gain perspective on life.
Let Go of Desires **Detach from materialism**: Excessive desire for material possessions can lead to dissatisfaction. Find joy in experiences and relationships instead.
**Inner peace**: Cultivate inner peace by letting go of attachments and embracing the present moment.
Practice Compassion **Kindness**: Show kindness and compassion to others. Small acts of kindness can have a significant impact.
**Empathy**: Try to understand others’ perspectives and feelings, fostering deeper connections and harmony.
Trust the Tao **Trust the process**: Have faith in the natural order of things. Trust that everything happens for a reason and in its own time.
Patience Be patient and allow things to unfold naturally. Rushing often leads to unnecessary stress and mistakes.
Elder G
Some abstract images from Elder G:
The Tao of WLBOTT Embracing years of “not doing anything”
