Translating New Testament Parables in the Style of Zargulla Narrative Texts: Luke 15:11-32

Abstract

A source language and a receptor language are not necessarily similar in every lin-guistic characteristic. Consequently, discourse analysis has gained significant interest among Bible translation scholars and practitioners, as it helps inform translation choices that improve quality. This study explores narrative discourse characteristics of the SL Greek (the source language) and the Zargulla (the receptor language), an Omotic language in Southern Ethiopia. The study presents a comparison between selected narrative discourse characteristics of both languages. It addresses narrative discourse structure (such as introduction and closure), con-nectives, and participant reference. Finally, based on a sample translation draft of Luke 15:11-32, the study presents conclusions and recommendations for translating New Testament nar-rative texts in the style of natural Zargulla stories.