A Long-held Dream Fulfilled
The Narrative Discourse Analysis workshop was a dream that the team leader had long hoped would happen. It became more than a training event — it marked a significant journey of faith, growth, and renewed hope, as God continued shaping His work through language and people.
The workshop provided an inspiring learning experience for the team, equipping them with new skills, insights, and deeper understanding of how meaning is carried in their heart language. They recognised the value of this opportunity and expressed eagerness to participate in similar training in the future — a reflection of how investment in people strengthens the broader mission of illumiNations Asia and its commitment to sustainable Bible translation.
One key takeaway from the workshop centred on pronoun usage. The team presented two natural stories and two biblical texts in the Dumas language. In the natural stories, each involving three characters, the speakers almost always referred to characters by name. In contrast, their translation of Acts chapter 1 revealed a striking difference: Jesus’ name appeared only three times, while pronouns referring to Him were used fifteen times.
The team observed that frequent pronoun use could be confusing for Dumas readers, making it difficult to identify or remember which character was being referenced. Without clarity, the message — no matter how powerful — risks losing its impact. This insight echoed challenges often encountered in Bible translation work described in How It Works, where linguistic precision is essential for faith to take root.
A practical and immediately applicable solution emerged from this discovery. The team agreed that referring to characters by name often enough would help Dumas readers clearly understand and follow the text, even if this meant departing from the heavier pronoun use found in the source language. This thoughtful adjustment reflects a deep respect for both Scripture and the people receiving it — ensuring that God’s Word speaks clearly to the heart.
Stories like this illustrate how God guides the journey not only through finished translations, but through training, reflection, and careful listening. They sit alongside other testimonies found in Impact Stories that reveal how faith, hope, and understanding grow step by step when Scripture is made accessible.
By supporting this work through giving or choosing to join the movement, you become part of these long-held dreams fulfilled — helping language communities encounter God’s Word with clarity, confidence, and renewed hope. This approach reflects best practices championed by global translation partners such as the Wycliffe Global Alliance.
