Locality and Resistance in Translation: The Genealogy of Bible Translations in Malayalam(Observations based on Udayamperoor sūnahadosinte kānonakal, Varthamānapustakam and Yākkovāyekkārerude thudamānam )

Abstract

Every piece of literature may possess varied objectives contingent upon its intended audience. Similarly, the presence of numerous translations of a single text within a singular language may signify disparate aims. In the context of translating works of literary and religious significance, the ideological and political context assumes paramount importance. Through the interpretive frameworks of experience, locality, and resistance, this study endeavors to elucidate the cultural values inherent in the early Malayalam translations of the Bible.

This article examines the cultural values and translational dynamics inherent in early Malayalam translations of the Bible. But it does not rely on renowned biblical translation movements in Malayalam. Instead, it focuses on three Malayalam texts that emerged within the Kerala Christian context: The Acts and Decrees of the Synod of Diamper, the Varthamānapustakam, and the Yākkovāyekkārerude thudamānam. Despite their differences in time and purpose, these texts exhibit a significant assimilation of biblical context. Notably, numerous biblical citations are evident in these works, which predate the first Malayalam Bible translation. This article aims to provide a critical examination of these biblical citations and the pervasive biblical worldviews present in these texts.

Through an experiential and cultural lens, this research investigates the intersection of biblical tradition and indigenous cultures, highlighting the complex dynamics of persuasion and resistance. By exploring the translational models employed in these texts, this study sheds light on the ways in which cultural values and power dynamics shape the translation process.