If you are a regular reader of this blog, then you will remember that I visited the lovely Caribbean Island of Jamaica earlier this year. Ahh...Such fond memories...
Before I went to visit, my friend wrote to me on several occasions describing life in her new found paradise. We heard about all aspects of Jamaican life both from the 'native' side and from her side as an 'Ex Pat'. One thing she mentioned regularly were her visits to Church. Here's a quote about one visit from one of her e-mails:
"...We went to Mass today, a short one by all accounts - only an hour and three quarters - joyous singing and swaying in our pews (well not so much us stiff Irish folk), lots of holding hands and reaching out with love, etc. .."
It always fascinated me when she spoke about the religious aspect, it seem so joyous, musical, fascinating, and good all round entertainment. When I was there I got to see some of this entertainment first hand. No I didn't actually go to church, but I did witness the beautiful colourfully clad ladies complete with hats and gloves making their way, at the Jamaican pace of 'leisurly', to their local place of worship. It looked so exciting it nearly made me want to go...Until I heard that some of the 'worship' can go on all day, and some people even go home for lunch and go back again in the afternoon. Eh...
Anyway, you can imagine my amusement today when I read that a new version of the Bible has been recently produced designed especially for the lovely people that reside in that equally lovely land. It has been translated into Jamaican patois (which took 20 years!!) and now goes under the new name "Jiizas Book".
OK, I'm not going to read you the whole Jiizas Book, but here are some amusing extracts (you have to read with a Jamaican accent!)..
Jiizas Book: "Jiizas: di buuk We Luuk rait bout Im."
The Bible: "The Gospel according to Luke"
Jiizas Book: "Lisn op!"
The Bible: "Behold"
Jiizas Book: "Lisn op! Di uman we needn sliip with no man ago get biebi."
The Bible: "Behold a virgin shall be with child".
Jiizas Book: "Di ienjel go tu Mieri an se tu ar se, 'Mieri, mi av nyuuz we a go mek yu wel api. Gad riili riili bles yu an im a waak wid yu all di taim."
The Bible: "And having come in, the angel said to her, 'Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with you: blessed are you among women."
Jiizas Book: "rispek fi yu an yu niem".
The Bible: "Hallowed be thy name".
Apparently, you can listen to the Book of Luke on iTunes in 24 episodes! Well I suppose it would make a change from listening to the News this evening....
Reading the Jamacian got me thinking. I began to wonder what the Bible would sound like translated if it was translated into Dublin speak....
Jay-sus...did ya 'ere, Mary's preggers... it's a bleeding miracle 'cos shee-es s'not ever bin wit a fella.....
(Behold a virgin shall be with child)
Story Bud? (Behold)
You'es de Man! (Hallowed be thy name)
Dat Luke bloo-eke was rabbitin' on 'bout some udd-er eejit... (The Gospel according to Luke)
Elocution lessons anybody???
