written by Paul Hefft, a Translation Advisor for the team

In Acts 27-28, the apostle Paul sails for Italy and encounters trouble at sea.

The two Burunge Translators had done an excellent job of translating this passage, but when the translation consultant asked them to describe the scenes in their own words it became apparent that maritime terms such as lifeboats, running aground, and taking soundings were foreign to them. So were more ‘common’ concepts like ocean (a body of water too big to see across), island, or harbor.

Thanks to some creative drawings on the white board and internet photos, the concepts became understandable to the translators. As a result, a clear explanation and a few supporting illustrations should help the Burunge readers better understand this part of Paul’s journey.

note: Photo (added later) is by Susan Chance, from 2017 celebration of the completed Burunge New Testament.