Nyob zoo, could anyone help me on how to translate "sin" into Hmong? I have used Kex Txhoj, or kev txhuj in Hmong ntsuab, often seem to meet disagrement, especially from non-christian Hmong friends who said that this translation is too "christian biased". Please help me?
Also, on other note, how should I translate 'Ten Commandments' into Hmong?
Thank you all so much
Lia
Translation of "sin" and "Ten Commandments" in Hmong?
Wed, 04/14/2010 - 9:07am
Wed, 06/09/2010 - 7:02pm
#2
transliteration
Does anyone know the method that Bible translators use to transliterate Hebrew and Greek (or even English) terms to Hmong? For example: Peter to Petus; John to Yauhas, etc...
Thu, 06/10/2010 - 10:55am
#3
Re: Translation of "sin" and "Ten Commandments" in Hmong?
Good question! Hmong customary name a person with a Hmong name to avoiding mispronounciation and thus come out with a distorded funny name. Many proper names in the Bilble have been used in Hmong with either Latin, Greek or Hebrew origin...with the Hmong pronounciation and accent but without a particular meaning:
Petrus, Petro...(Latin), Peter (English), Pierre (French), Pedro (Spanish) should be "Pob Zeb", "Zeb", "Pob Tsuas", "Tsua", or "Tsuas" in Hmong, and not Petus, Peto, or Pes Tos...
John (English), Jean (French), Johann (German) which pronounces 'Yo-hahn' all derive from Hebrew 'Yohanan' (meaning God is merciful)... Hmong translation sets for "Zam" (which is a Hmong name...and the meaning being very close to the Hebrew's), or Yauhas, Yos-has...etc. without meaning in Hmong, just to imitate the Hebrew and or Germanic pronounciation.
You're right, we Hmong should pay more attention to proper names in the Bible.
Mon, 06/21/2010 - 12:11pm
#4
Re: Translation of "sin" and "Ten Commandments" in Hmong?
Does anyone know what the word "kab ke" really means? Does it only refer to Hmoob tej kevcai dab qhua, or is it a general term for rites and rituals, and way of doing things.
If it is a general term, would it be accurate or culturally acceptable to say that each nationality or group of people have their own "kabke." For example, Mein Kabke, American Kabke, or even Vajtswv tej Kabke?
I am aware that often times the word "kevcai" is used in the Hmong Bibles, but aren't "kevcai" and "kabke" really just synonyms?
Mon, 06/21/2010 - 3:33pm
#5
Re: Translation of "sin" and "Ten Commandments" in Hmong?
Hello!
Actually, Hmong being a monosyllabic language, the word Kab Ke should be written in two separate words. "Kab Ke" means:
-Protocol
-Process (formal process; formality)
That's a general term - but it should apply to a specific subject such as funeral, wedding, worship...etc. For instance, should you want to say:
1) a funeral [in the Hmong way] = Hmoob Kab Ke Pam Tuag
2) a wedding [in the Hmong way] = Hmoob Kab Tshoob Kev Kos
3) Worship [process, protocol] = Kab Kev Pe Hawm Vaj Tswv or Kab Ke Txi Ntuj
We cannot say plainly and simply say American Kab Ke, or Tswv Ntuj Kab Ke without any specification.
'Kev cai' may be interpreted as "rules & regulations" or "[conventional and or customary] laws"; 'Kev Cai' can be the substitution or short-hand of 'Kev cai lij choj' or 'Txhooj':
1) Lij Choj = Constitution
2) Kev cai lij choj = the laws
3) Txhooj = Act, Law (with specification as to what exactly...e.g. No Child Left Behind Act, etc.)
We cannot and should never substitute 'Kev Cai' and 'Kab Ke'.
Thu, 07/01/2010 - 1:26pm
#6
Re: Translation of "sin" and "Ten Commandments" in Hmong?
I have a question that I would like to get some feedback on.
When speaking about what the Bible teaches regarding sexual morality, I know that we have to be very sensitive so we don't offend others. In the Hmong culture, subjects of a sexual nature are generally embarrassing so metaphors are often used. Therefore, I want to find words that will be culturally acceptable but still accurate. I definitely don't want to offend anyone. Here are a few terms I'm researching:
1. kev plees kev yi;
2. kev nkauj kev nraug; and
3. kev sib daj sib deev.
How would you define each Hmong expression? Are they synonyms? Can they refer to homosexual acts, or are these expressions restricted to sexual relations between a male and female?
This is what I have found in my research:
Regarding, the word "plees," it seems like it can be used in so many ways. Some dictionaries define it as: "kev sib deev los yog kev ua hluas." Others define this word as "brazen, impudent, shameless." I have heard parents call their naughty children "plees." I have heard certain "kwv txhiaj" called "plees." The entire expression "kev plees kev yi" is used in certain Bible translations for illicit sexual relations. The word "plees" seems to have different degrees of seriousness, depending on the context that it is used. And it seems like "plees" does not always refer to subjects of a sexual nature. I concluded that this term is the most broad of the three words mentioned above.
Regarding the term "kev nkauj kev nraug," it is used in several Bible translations for illicit sexual relations. However, since the word "nkauj" refers to "an unmarried woman" and "nraug" refers to an unmarried man, is this expression restricted to single persons who engage in illicit sexual relations? Or can this term refer to a husband who cheats on his wife? I am uncertain about this, because when referring to adultery, Bible translators use a different expression, that is, "mus deev luag poj luag sev."
Regarding, "kev sib daj sib deev," some dictionaries translate it as "illicit sexual relations." This term seems synonymous to "kev nkauj kev nraug." Many Bible translations do not seem to use it, but I am unsure whether it is because it is too explicit, or whether it is a preference matter.
Several older ones in the community expressed that all three of these terms are restricted to illicit sexual acts between a male and a female. Their responses cause me to wonder, do they feel that way because homosexuality wasn't so prevalent in the old country? Or are these terms linguistically restricted to illicit relations between a male and female?
I look forward to your response. I know these terms are sensitive so I apologize if I have offended anyone. Thanks.
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 11:47am
#7
Re: Translation of "sin" and "Ten Commandments" in Hmong?
sin can be translated as anything & everything that we do that seperates us from the glory of God/ thxua yaam peb ua kws cais peb tawm ntawn Vaajtswv lub tswjchim.
Tue, 09/28/2010 - 3:15am
#8
Re: Translation of "sin" and "Ten Commandments" in Hmong?
Dear Tub,
Your research sounds very interesting. I am organizing a conference on religion and sexuality in Holland in May next year. Could you be so kind to get in touch with me ngo@mmg.mpg.de so that we can discuss more about your work and the possibilities of working together?
Thanks alot and look forward to your response.
Tam Ngo
Lia;
First and foremost, no offense intended, your Hmong spelling needs some attention. Beside, it is very sensitive to translate one word from Hmoob dawb to Hmoob ntsuab; we cannot just say whatever we want to by light assumption.
With this said, I guess you mean "Kev txhoj" in Hmoob dawb, and "Kev txhuj" in Hmoob ntsuab. If it is the case, allow me to mention that your translation seems inconsiderate and derogative. Because, "txhoj" is used indifferently by Hmoob dawb and Hmoob ntsuab.
Unless you intend to say "Txhaum" in Hmoob dawb to be "Txhum" in Hmoob ntsuab.
Actually, Hmong don't have a specific word for "sin"; many Hmong from Laos and Thailand use the Lao and Thai word "BARB" to be accurate. Otherwise, Hmong use "txhaum" or "txhum" in Hmoob ntsuab or "Kev txhaum / kev txhum", but again "txhaum or txhum" litterally means "wrong", "guilty", which has more moral, legal and or regulatory values than spiritual.
In regard to the "Ten Commendments" some say "Tswv Ntuj / Vaj Tswv 10 lo lus qhia" or else, but it seems displaced and inaccurate to me. For the Ten Commendments are the Canon Laws by which Christians should and aught to abide. If we want accurate translation, we should consider this:
Txhooj = Law (Laws)
Qib = Article(s)
and when we put together "Tus Txhooj 10 Qib", it comes together and naturally understandable in Hmong.
Anyway, opinions are simply opinions; we need the adoption of the competent folks to denominate it.
One thing, there're quite a few versions [in Hmong] of the Bilble; they've been unfortunately translated either by folks of non-Hmong origin and culture, or folks with limitted fluency and education in the Hmong language, or narrow-minded and biased partisans. -Many times, it becomes confusing or even contradicts the actual scripture itself. But, be patient; time will come that we will have good and accurate translation of the Bible: God is, as always, in charge, and has plan set forth for it.