of Bible translation from Mrs. Cowan looks on.
President Samuel H. Sutherland (left), receives copy Bible Translator President George Cowan, as
Biota
Wycliffe Dr. Sutherland: Ou r special radio guests are Dr. and Mrs. George Cowan. Mrs. Cowan (formerly Florence Han sen), graduated from U.C.L.A. with highest honors. Dr. Cowan is president of the Wycliffe Bible Translators which is comprised of 1326 missionaries. The book they have may look like a Bible, however, on the cover are the words, “Nueva Testamenta” which is the first translation of the Word of God in the Mazateco tribal language. Dr. Cowan: This copy is for the Biola library. It is 'a personal joy to present it because of what Biola has meant to the Wycliffe Bible Translators. Distri bution of it has already started, and we know you rejoice with us in the souls who will be led to Christ through it. Dr. Sutherland: For those who may not know, these missionaries go into areas where the spoken language has never been reduced to writing. A gram mar is tediously formulated, and in a slow and often discouraging process
the actual words of Scripture are put down. The people themselves have to be taught to read what has been writ ten. Mr. Sandera: Just to prove it is a very difficult language, Dr. Cowan, could you give us an example? Dr. Cowan: The Mazateco is actually a tonal language. Whenever anything is said, one must maintain a certain relative pitch in the voice for each syllable given. The word that is used for “sin,” by a slight tonal change, can mean “fat,” “one,” and “also; four different words. Dr. Sutherland: Then, as far as this language is concerned being fat and sinning almost comes with the same breath. Dr. Cowan: I made mistakes like that in the early days. I was telling people Christ died for fat people instead of that He died for sinners. Dr. Sutherland: Perhaps those of us who are a bit corpulent can be thank ful for both.
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