University Don calls for review of Efik Bible
By Dennis Udo-Udoma, Uyo
A Professor in the Department of Foreign Languages, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Prof. Efefiong Edet Ekpenyong State has proposed for a revision of the popular Efik Bible (EB1 and EB2) versions due to the observable shortcomings in their translations.
The don, who presented the UNIUYO 91st Inaugural Lecture on Saturday at the Main Campus, Nwaniba was speaking on the topic, “The Imperative of Translation After Babel, The Bible/Translation Interface and Application” said, the Efik Bible versions have problems with the translation of Bible nationalities and some lexical items etc.
According to him, “The two Bible versions under consideration are used by two separate religious bodies (Churches of Christendom and Jehovah’s Witnesses) for one and the same purpose, where Efik is the language of communication.
“In view of the shortcomings in translations pointed out here and others not mentioned, we very strongly and respectfully, recommend that, these Bible versions be thoroughly revised using the guidelines put forward here as solutions,” he said.
While appreciating the early translators for translating the Bible into Efik language irrespective of the noticeable mis-translations noted that, their seminal translation yielded positive result in the users.
He appealed to the state governor, Umo Eno to avail himself the opportunity of contributing to the translation of the Efik Bible from the original tongues into English by supporting the cause.
“I humbly request that the Governor make use of his good offices to assist in a comprehensive revision of the KJV based Efik Bible to rid it of all the mis-translations that are there currently,” adding that, Efik translations should be supported in the context whereby the upcoming Ibibio translation of the Bible will also be supported to exist side-by-side with the current Efik translation for a better and stronger comparative advantage to both versions and the over all readership.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo who chaired the inaugural lecture commended Prof. Ekpenyong for his brilliance and presentation noting that, the lecturer has acquitted himself as an erudite scholar and researcher with well over 30 publications (journal articles, book chapters and books) to his credit.
Also, Prof. Luke Eyo of the Department of English, who presented Prof. Effiong Edet Akpan Ekpenyong’s citation described him as a talented and veritable researcher with interest in the Holy Bible as a specialised text interfacing with translation and, his uncompromising demand for fidelity from its translators, arising from the mistranslations in the two Efik Bible versions in use by readers in the country.
