International Museum of Cultures

26 translations for the Tzeltal "carry" word

music also big part of linguistics
many countries still today

Abs with a traditional
Japanese attire

Nothing makes learning more enjoyable than hands on learning, that's home school speak for 'field trip!'   Today we ventured out with a few other families to the Dallas International Museum of Cultures. It really seemed odd that such a museum was located on the campus of the International Linguistics Center, but the museum really is a great way for those pursuing their Masters to have a hands on look at various cultures.  

the Solomon Islands

The Museum works with Wycliife to study languages and translate the New Testament for each culture.  Currently there are 6,900 languages spoken throughout the world!  Of those languages only 4,700 have a New Testament translated into their native tongue!    One of the languages we looked at was the Mayan language, Tzetal, spoken in the Mexican state of Chiapas.  There are 26 translations for the Tzeltal "carry" word.  This makes translating even a simple passage like 'carry the gospel into all the world' very tedious to translate.  On top of that the Tzeltal forms, together with the Tzotzil language, a sub-branch of the Mayan languages, called Tzeltalan, which again forms a sub-branch called Cholan-Tzeltalan, together with the Ch'ol languages, Chontal, Ch'ol and Ch'orti' are spoken Mayan languages in Chiapas today, along with 100+ lesser known languages! 

Wycliffe Bibles in 4,000+ translations! 

On average they said approximately 7 years for a group to learn the language and then another 7 years to translate the New Testament into the new language.

It was funny to me that before the tour, we were asked if we were a Christian home school group, and when we responded yes, the docent said, 'good, then I know which tour to give you.'  The tour was focused on the work of Christian missionaries and the museum's work with Wycliffe.  Their website gives no reference of the Christian background of this museum, no reference to the Bibles or the missionaries.  It has been sanitized so as not to offend anyone.  It's sad because, I would have gone much sooner to support such great work here in our backyard!  The website does offer virtual tours along with teaching guides for K-2 and 3-5. 

He proclaimed the kingdom of God

and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ

—with all boldness and without hindrance!

Acts 28:31