Help! Who are We? Twenty Ways to Say 'We' in Naro

This paper highlights a most interesting feature, namely a great diversity of translation options for the first person plural. It emphasizes the need for both careful analysis of languages before translating, the need for thorough exegesis, and in-depth considerations in gauging translation options.

The Naro language (Khwe / Khoesan) boasts 18 options for translating a first person plural (or non-singular), distinguishing masculine, feminine, common, dual, plural, inclusive and exclusive. Together with majestic plural and author’s plural, Naro translators are in fact faced with 20 options of rendering the 1.PL.

This paper will present the system of “PGN-markers” in Naro [PGN = Person, Gender, Number] with its different options, share challenges (translation-theoretical, exegetical, hermeneutical, cultural and discourse) and opportunities (esp. clarity, accuracy) in translation issues, and the practicalities of choosing between the different options. The PGN-markers occur in all (pro)nominal phrases and are comparable to both pronouns and articles.

Examples:
Acts 4:12 we must be saved: we = 1. Peter and John, or 2. the two + the council, or 3. all humans?
1 Jn. 1:7 we walk in the light: we = 1. John, 2. John + coworkers; John + addressees?
Col. 1:3 we thank God: we = 1. Paul, 2. Paul + coworkers, 3. Paul + addressees?
Phlm 1:1 our fellow worker: our = 1. Paul; 2. Paul + Timothy; 3. Paul + male coworkers; 4. Paul + other workers (m/f)?