Customer Reviews

De Nyew Testament (The New Testament in Gullah)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book may be difficult for some to read because of the Gullah dialect, but once you grasp the dialect, the Bible explodes with color and simple down to earth meaning. I often have to stop and wipe tears from my eyes. I feel I am reading the Bible for the first time and just can't put it down.

After a cursery reading of De New Testament, I am amazed at the accuracy of the translation to written language from the spoken. The only criticism I have is that to really appreciate the Gullah dialect, you must hear it spoken. Without some familiarity with the sounds and inflections of the speach, one can't duplicate it. The only solution to this problem is to include a CD of selections from the text, which is somewhat impractical at this moment. This criticism not withstanding, I am very impressed with the results of excellent research and field work.

THE EFFORTS THAT MADE THIS TRANSLATION POSSIBLE HAVE ALREADY BORN FRUIT.
STUDY YOUR NEW TESTAMENT ALONG SIDE THIS GULLAH TRANSLATION. I PROMISE YOU THAT YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE WILL BE BROADENED BY YOUR EXPOSURE TO THE GULLAH FRAME OF VIEW. SEE JESUS CHRIST AS A GULLAH. I PROMISE YOU GREAT PLEASURE AS YOU LEARN TO READ AND SPEAK A NEW LANGUAGE OF LOVE. I RECOMMEND IT FOR BIBLE STUDY GROUPS ...THE BETTER TO LEARN TO SPEAK THE LANGUAGE .... LET ME KNOW HOW IT GOES ... hereforyou@excite.com

This Bible is a great alternative to the King James Version, especially for people from the islands. If some of the words are unrecognizable to the untrained eye, this Bible has the KJV translation in the margins. Either way, the Message is still the same.

Being from Savannah I have always been exposed to this language and if you are not very careful it can become contageous! I read aloud Mark 5 from the KJV and then I read the same in Gullah. Our adult Sunday School class loved it. It is a very effective way to explain some Biblical mumbo jumbo in a personal, understandable manner. It takes a while to get the rhythm and cadence and is much more effective when read aloud. It makes Bible study a more "fun" experience.

A friend introduced me to this translation. It puts the New Testament in a whole new perspective. I have to read it out loud to understand some of it, but it also has a standard translation in the margin beside each verse just in case I don't get it. I love the imagery it creates.

We had purchased a prior copy of the Gullah Bible for a family member, and I was requested to obtain a second copy.

I agree wholeheartedly with Francois, once you get used to it this translation of the New Testament goes off like a rocket. Conveniently the King James Version is included in the margin which makes it incredibly easy to reference.

It helps you see things in a whole new light. Very moving.

However this doesn't exorcise that niggling doubt which asks what purpose this translation ultimately serves? A truly 'folk' version of the New Testament (if such a thing exists) would be infinitely more valuable. As it stands the act of rendering the text so accurately into Gullah is purely academic.

An essential companion for fans of Southern Gothic nevertheless.