Eye - 15 November 2019
From Quaker translations to empowering others
Quaker translations
Recent research led Richard Seebohm, of Oxford Meeting, to a Friend article penned by two Quakers based in Ghana in 1967.
Tongue firmly in cheek, Alan and Julie Longman reflected on how words and phrases can develop different meanings and offered impish translations that ‘are not intended to cast doubt on the original meaning they had, but rather to emphasise that, in order to “speak the truth in love”, one must search for ordinary, plain words, and having used them, drop them’. For example, ‘I hope that will be done’ became ‘I hope someone else will do it’, and ‘May we be led to’ turned into ‘We’re in the dark’.
They ended with two versions of a fictitious report. The ‘Quaker-speak’ version included phrases such as: ‘Once again we have been reminded of the many opportunities that may be open to each one of us… In the past, Friends were rooted and grounded in the deepest foundation of life, and we too may be led to a fuller recognition of our spiritual heritage… Even as we have been mindful of our deep, underlying unity, yet at the same time we recognise that, while some may find their approach in the steadfast upholding of the established concerns and testimonies of our beloved Society, others of our number may perhaps see their way along new paths…’ Which they translated into: ‘We knew before we came that there were hundreds of things that needed doing, but we haven’t started doing them yet. What was it that was special about early Friends? Whatever it was, we don’t seem to have it, and it doesn’t help us when those Young Friends want to drag us into their crazy schemes…’
Fifty years later, are there any other words or phrases inspiring affectionate annoyance?
Simple recycling
The tale of a Meeting’s adventurous endeavour to restore and extend their Meeting house (27 September) piqued Friends’ curiosity.
Jamie Wrench, of Ludlow Meeting, told Eye that several Friends contacted the Meeting to find out how the extension looked after all their hard work.
He contacted Eye to share the sight of the building (see below), as well as a ‘little story that exemplifies our commitment to sustainability’.
‘In the derelict workshop we took over was a large, broken workbench.
‘One of our members, Martin Bradford, retrieved it, took it home and turned it into a seat that now adorns our new garden. A beautiful example of simple recycling…’
Empowering others
A group of Young Friends in Bulawayo Meeting in Zimbabwe (see below) are planning activities that will empower other young people in their communities.
Local Friend Silas Manjera, who recently visited the UK and attended Young Friends General Meeting, told Eye that the group hopes to: do litter picking in the town, and townships; talk with street adolescents about the issues they face, being ‘alongside’ them; and go into orphanages to play with the children.
Lee Taylor, from Friends of Hlekweni – a Quaker-run charity that supports education and peacebuilding work in the country – told Eye: ‘The situation in Zimbabwe is pretty dire at present, so it seems to me very heartening what these Young Friends are doing.’
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