terug  begin  verderprepost
[p. 119]

3 Bible texts

No creole language can boast of such a wealth of written sources from its early years as Negerhollands. Especially during the period beginning around half a century after its first attestation, the late 18th century, Negerhollands was preserved in thousands of pages of manuscript and printing. The largest single works preserved are Bible translations. Of course, the stylistic variety of biblical and other Christian religious texts is hardly equivalent to the daily spoken language of the plantation slaves. Still, these documents represent a valuable source, especially since we sometimes have several independent translations of the same texts at our disposal. Within certain obvious limits, they offer an opportunity to conduct research into synchronic variation in late 18th-century Negerhollands, which at that time had developed into a fully fledged native language and which was at the height of its use. In the introduction we discussed the problems concerning the religious sources of Negerhollands and presented some contemporary metalinguistic remarks. Here we present sections from the Old Testament, and also contrast different versions especially of sections from the New Testament.



illustratie
10. Sugar

[p. 120]

3.1 Translations of the Old Testament

The first excerpt from the Old Testament is from a Herrnhut manuscript of over 1000 pages, ms. 325, large parts of which are hard to read due to their state of decay. The text is not dated, but it must have been written between 1780 and 1785 by Johann Böhner. The only printed version of the Old Testament in Negerhollands is a children's Bible by the Danish missionary Oxholm (1822). There may have been more Danish manuscript versions of the Old Testament, but they were never found, e.g. those by Volckersen and Magens (see the bibliography).

3.1.1 Joseph and the Pharaoh's Dreams [Genesis 40] (±1780-1785)

§. 37.

  Cap. 40, v. 1=23. Cap. 41, v. 1=13.

1 Na aster die die a gebuir1, dat die Mond -Schenk2 van
  NA after DET DET PST happen that DET cupbearer of

  die König3 na Egypten en die Hofbakker, a ver\sondi
  DET king NA Egypt and DET court.baker PST offend

  sender na sender Heer, die Konig na Egypten. En
  3PL NA 3PL lord DET king NA Egypt and

  Pharao a kom quaat op si twee Kammereer4, op die
  pharaoh PST come angry up 3POS two chamberlain up DET

5 Amtmann5 over die Mond -Schenk sender, en op die
  civil.servant over DET cupbearer 3PL and up DET

  Amtmann over die Hofbakker. En a leveer sender
  civil.servant over DET court.baker and PST deliver 3PL

  na die Captain van die Trabant6 sender tot bewaaring,
  NA DET captain of DET body -guard 3PL to protection

[p. 121]

  en die a doe sender nabin die Arest Hoes, na die Plek,
  and DET PST do 3PL NA.inside DET jail house NA DET place

  Harmoni Cap. 40, v. 1=[-13.] 23...................... 129.

  waar Joseph a wees na arest. En die Captain van
  where Joseph PST BE NA jail and DET captain of

10 die Trabanten a gie Joseph na sender <ol•vor> Dien sender;
  DET body -guard.PL PST give Joseph NA 3PL FOR serve 3PL

  en sender a wees sommig {Tid |Dagen} na die Gevangnis.
  and 3PL PST BE some time day.PL NA DET prison

  En sender twee, die Mond -Schenk en die Oberst7 Bakker
  and 3PL two DET cupbearer and DET supreme baker

  van die Konig na Egypten, die sender a leei na die Ar=
  of DET king NA Egypt DET 3PL PST lay NA DET jail

  est Hoes, a hab na een Donker een Droom; [-na] na elk
  - house PST have NA a night a dream NA NA every

15 een a droon een appart goed, en elke Droom a hab si
  one PST dream a separate thing and every dream PST have 3POS

  eigen Bedeuding8. En as Joseph Vroe -vroe a kom na
  own meaning and as Joseph morning PST come NA

  binne tot sender, en a kik, dat sender awees bedroef;
  inside to 3PL and PST see that 3PL PST.BE sad

  em a vrag die twee Kammerir9 van Pharao, en a see:
  3SG PST ask DET two chamberlain of pharaoh and PST say

  vorwaarom jender ben vandag soo bedroefd|true -rig? En sender
  why 2PL BE today so sad/mournful and 3PL

20 a see: Een Droom a ka droom ons, en ons hab nimand
  PST say a dream PST PRF dream 1PL and 1PL have no.one

[p. 122]

  vor lee ons die ut. Staan die niet bi Godt, dat em kan
  FOR lay 1PL DET out stand DET NEG at God that 3SG can

  gie die Deuding10? <rm•(Joseph a see)> verthel die doch na mi.
  give DET interpretation Joseph PST say tell DET yet NA 1SG

  Da die Oberst Mond -Schenk a verthel na Joseph
  then DET supreme cupbearer PST tell NA Joseph

  si Droom, en a see na em; die a ka droom mi, een
  3POS dream and PST say NA 3SG DET PST PRF dream 1SG a

25 Wien Stok a staan na voor mi. Na deese Wien Stock
  wine stalk PST stand NA before 1SG NA DEM wine stalk

  a wees drie Tacken, en die a wees as of em a ka bloei
  PST BE three branch.PL and DET PST BE as if 3SG PST PRF blossom

  kaba, en die Druifi11, die a wees na die, a hab riepe
  finish and DET grape DET PST BE NA DET PST have ripe

  Baier. Maar mi a hab die Drink beerk<ol•er> van Pha=
  berry but 1SG PST have DET drink cup of pharaoh

  ra*o* na mi Hand, en a neem die Baier <rm•Druifi>, en a douw
  - NA 1SG hand and PST take DET berry grape and PST press

30 *sen*der ut na die Drinkbeeker van Pharao, en a gie
  3PL out NA DET cup of pharaoh and PST give

  d*ie* Beeker na die König si Hand. En Joseph a see
  DET cup NA DET king 3POS hand and Joseph PST say

  n*a* em, die Bedeuding van die ben deese: Drie Tacken
  NA 3SG DET meaning of DET BE DEM three branch.PL

  *ben* drie Dag, over drie Dag Pharao sal verhogh
  BE three day in three day pharaoh FUT promote

  joe Hoofd en sal set joe weeraan na joe Dienst, dat
  2SG head and FUT put 2SG again NA 2SG service that

[p. 123]

35 joe gie em die Drink beeker na si Hand,
  2SG give 3SG DET drink cup NA 3POS hand

  ........................................ na

  130. I Boek Mose Cap. 40,

  na die Manir van voor, toen joe a wees si Mond -Schenk.
  NA DET fashion of before when 2SG PST BE 3POS cupbearer

  Maar dink na mi, wanneer die loop fraai na joe,
  but think NA 1SG when DET walk good NA 2SG

  en doe Baermhertigheit na mi, en breng mi na die
  and do mercy NA 1SG and bring 1SG NA DET

  Gedachtnis bi Pharao, en help mi ut van die Hoes.
  remembrance at pharaoh and help 1SG out of DET house

40 Want mi ben gediefd12 ut die Land van die Ebraeeen op
  because 1SG BE stolen out DET country of DET Hebrew.PL up

  verborg manir; en ook hier mi a ka doe niet die
  hidden manner and also here 1SG PST PRF do NEG DET

  mindste <lm•*o*nrech<ol•t>>, en doch sender ka set mi na bin die Gatt.
  least injustice and yet 3PL PRF put 1SG NA inside DET hole

  As noe die Oberst Hof bakker a kik, dat die
  as now DET supreme court baker PST see that DET

  Deuding a wees goet, em a see na Joseph: Die a
  meaning PST BE good 3SG PST say NA Joseph DET PST

45 droom mi ook, dat mi a drag drie Magoeto op mi
  dream 1SG also that 1SG PST carry three basket up 1SG

  Hoofd. Nabin die bovenst Magoeto a wees all sort
  head NA.inside DET top basket PST BE all kind

[p. 124]

  gebakken Goed, wat Pahrao ben gewee<ol•n>t13 vor jet:
  baked good what pharaoh BE accustomed FOR eat

  en die Vogel sender a jett die ut van die Magoete,
  and DET bird 3PL PST eat DET out of DET basket

  die a wees op mi Hoofd. En Joseph a antwort en
  DET PST BE up 1SG head and Joseph PST answer and

50 a see, die Bedeudinge ben die: Drie Magoete
  PST say DET meaning BE DET three basket

  ben drie Dag, aster drie Dag Pharao sal slaa
  BE three day after three day pharaoh FUT strike

  joe die Kop af, <bm•Im Grundtext steht mit deutlichen Worten, er wir*d
  2SG DET head off  

  d*ein Haupt van dir nehmen, von dir herunter, welches anders nicht kan

  verstanden werden als von einer Enthauptung>14 en sal lat
    and FUT let

55 hang joe na een
  hang 2SG NA a

  Hout; da die Vogel sender sal jett joe Vleesch
  wood then DET bird 3PL FUT eat 2SG flesh

  van joe.
  of 2SG

  En die a ge<ol•b>uir na die derde Dag, da Pharao a he*b* si
  and DET PST happen NA DET third day that pharaoh PST have 3POS

  Gebord -dag, en a maak een Maaltid voor si Hofbed*ien*de
  birthday and PST make a meal for 3POS court.servant

[p. 125]

60 sender. En as sender a wees bi malkander, da em *a* lat
  3PL and as 3PL PST BE with each.other then 3SG PST let

  haal die Oberst Mond -Schenk, en die Oberste <bm•Hof> Ba*kk*er
  get DET supreme cupbearer and DET supreme court baker

  Harmoni. Cap. 41, v. 1=13......................... 131.

  na [-na]boven; en a set die oberst Mond -Skenk weeraan
  NA NA.above and PST put DET supreme cupbearer back

  in na si Skenkdienst, dat em gie die Drink -beeker na die König|Pha=
  in NA 3POS pouring.service that 3SG give DET cup NA DET king/pharaoh

  rao si Hand: Maar die oberst Hof bakker em a lat hang
  - 3POS hand but DET supreme court baker 3SG PST let hang

65 op, glik Joseph a ka verklaar sender. Maar die
  up like Joseph PST PRF explain 3PL but DET

  Oberste Mond -Skenk no a dink na Joseph, maar a ver
  supreme cupbearer NEG PST think NA Joseph but PST for-

  geet em.
  -get 3SG

  Maar na aster een Tid van twee Jaar Pharao a
  but NA after a time of two year pharaoh PST

  hab een Droom, as of em a staan bi die Revier Nilus <bm•Die Revier
  have a dream as if 3SG PST stand at DET river Nile DET river

70 Nilus, welk parti em na Egypten na seven Arm, en so as die ben
  Nile which split 3SG NA Egypt NA seven branch and so as DET BE

  bekent da*t* em door si overloop dong15 die geheele Land, en ben
  known that 3SG by 3POS overflow manure DET entire country and BE

  die reeden dat die Grond drag fraai. Vordaarom die a droom die
  DET reason that DET soil carry good therefore DET PST dream DET

[p. 126]

  König, dat sendr a klim op ut die Revier Nilus.>
  king that 3PL PST climb up out DET river Nile

  en a kik vor klim op ut die Revier seven mooie en fett
  and PST see FOR climb up out DET river seven beautiful and fat

75 Koehi16, die sender a weid na die Biesem17 gras. En aster
  cow DET 3PL PST graze NA DET rush grass and after

  die em a kik ander seven Koehi a klim op ut die Re=
  DET 3SG PST see other seven cow PST climb up out DET river

  vier, die a wees haatlik18 en mager; en sender a staan
  - DET PST BE ugly and skinny and 3PL PST stand

  neven die ander Koehien na die Kant van die Revier.
  beside DET other cow.PL NA DET side of DET river

  En die haatlike en mager Koehien a jett die seven mooie
  and DET ugly and skinny cow.PL PST eat DET seven beautiful

80 en fette Koehien. Da Pharao a kom waker.
  and fat cow.PL then pharaoh PST come awake

  En em a slaap in weeraan, en die a droom weeraan,
  and 3SG PST sleep in again and DET PST dream again

  en a kik, dat seven Kopp Korn a groei ut na een Stock,
  and PST see that seven head corn PST grow out NA a stalk

  die a wees deck en mooi. (voll met Saad) Darnah em
  DET PST BE thick and beautiful full with seed there.after 3SG

  a kik seven Kopp a kom op, die sender a wees denn
  PST see seven head PST come up DET 3PL PST BE thin

85 en paschima van die Ostwint. En die seven mager
  and scorched of DET east.wind and DET seven skinny

  Kopp a swalg in die seven decke en (van Saad) volle Kopp.
  head PST swill in DET seven fat and of seed full head

[p. 127]

  Da Pharao a kom waker, en a kik, dat die a wees een Droom.
  then pharaoh PST come awake and PST see that DET PST BE a dream

  132. I Boek Mose

  En as die ka kom Morg, da si Geest a wees verlegen,
  and as DET PRF come morning then 3POS mind PST BE embarrassed?

  en em a stier ut, en a lat roep allemaal waarsegers
  and 3SG PST send out and PST let call all fortune.teller.PL

90 na Egypten, en alle Geleerde sender, en a verhaal sen=
  NA Egypt and all learned 3PL and PST tell 3PL

  der si Droom; maar niet een a wees, die a kan lee
  - 3POS dream but NEG one PST BE DET PST can lay

  die ut na Pharao. Da die Oberste Mond -Skenk a
  DET out NA pharaoh then DET supreme cupbearer PST

  praat met Pharao, en a see: Mi le dink vandag na
  talk with pharaoh and PST say 1SG ASP think today NA

  mi Sondo. Pharao a wes Kuaat op si Hofdienaers, en
  1SG sin pharaoh PST BE angry up 3POS court.servant.PL and

95 a leei mi en die Oberste Hofbakker na die Arest, na
  PST lay 1SG and DET supreme court.baker NA DET jail NA

  bein die Hoes van die Captain over die Trabanten sender.
  inside DET house of DET captain of DET body.guard.PL 3PL

  Da die droom ons twee na een Donker na elkeen een
  there DET dream 1PL two NA a night NA everyone a

  aparte Droom, en ijder19 Droom a hab si eigen Bedeu=
  separate dream and every dream PST have 3POS own meaning

  ding. En een Ebraeeisch Jongmann a wees bi ons, een
  - and a Hebrew young.man PST BE with 1PL a

100 Dienaer van die Captain over die Trabanten sender, die
  servant of DET captain of DET body.guard.PL 3PL DET

[p. 128]

  a lee ons ons Droomen ut, toen ons a verthel em die; em
  PST lay 1PL 1PL dream.PL out when 1PL PST tell 3SG DET 3SG

  a lee die ut na ijder een soo, as si Droom a wees. En soo
  PST lay DET out NA every one so as 3POS dream PST BE and so

  as em a verklaar die na ons, soo die a ka loop; mi, die
  as 3SG PST explain DET NA 1PL so DET PST PRF walk 1SG DET

  König a ka set weeraan na mi Dienst, en die ander em
  king PST PRF put back NA 1SG service and DET other 3SG

105 a ka hang op.
  PST PRF hang up

  §. 38.

  I Boek Mose Capit. 41, v. 14=46.

  Da Pharao a stier hen, en a lat roep Joseph: en
  then pharaoh PST send away and PST let call Joseph and

  sender a lat em gau, gau ut die Gatt. En em a lat skeer
  3PL PST let 3SG quick quick out DET hole and 3SG PST let shave

  em, en a doe ander kleer aan, en a kom nabinne na
  3SG and PST put other clothes on and PST come NA.inside NA

  Pharao. En Pharao a spreek tot Joseph, die a ka
  pharaoh and pharaoh PST speak to Joseph DET PST PRF

110 droom mi, en daer ben niemand die kan lee die ut. En
  dream 1SG and where BE no.one DET can lay DET out and

  mi a ka hoor see van joe, dat wanneer joe hoor een Droom
  1SG PST PRF hear say of 2SG that when 2SG hear a dream

  soo joe kan lee ut die. En Joseph a antwort na Pha
  so 2SG can lay out DET and Joseph PST answer NA pharaoh

  ........................................ rao

  Harmoni Cap. 41, v. 14=46......................... 133.

  rao, en a see: Niet mi; maar Godt selv sal antwort, wat
  - and PST say NEG 1SG but God self FUT answer what

[p. 129]

  ben goet en fraai voor Pharao.
  BE good and nice for pharaoh

115 En Pharao a praat met Joseph: Die a droom mi20, as of
  and pharaoh PST talk with Joseph DET PST dream 1SG as if

  mi a staan na die Kant van die Revier. En a kik seven
  1SG PST stand NA DET side of DET river and PST see seven

  Koehi a klim op ut die Water, sender a wees mooi en fett,
  cow PST climb up out DET water 3PL PST BE beautiful and fat

  en sender a weid na die Biesem Gras. En aster sender
  and 3PL PST graze NA DET rush grass and after 3PL

  mi a kik seven ander, goe mager en haatlike Koehien
  1SG PST see seven other very skinny and ugly cow.PL

120 a klim ut; na die geheele Egypten Land mi no a ka kik
  PST climb out NA DET entire Egypt country 1SG NEG PST PRF see

  die soo haatlik, glik die sender a wees. En die seven
  DET so ugly like DET 3PL PST BE and DET seven

  mager en haatlike Koehien a vreet op die erste seven
  skinny and ugly cow.PL PST eat up DET first seven

  mooie en fette Koehien. En as sender a ka vreet die na=
  beautiful and fat cow.PL and as 3PL PST PRF eat DET NA

  binne, die no a wees vor bemeerk na sender, dat sen=
  inside DET NEG PST BE FOR notice NA 3PL that 3PL

125 der a ka vreet die; en sender ansien a bliev so haatlik
  - PST PRF eat DET and 3PL look PST remain so ugly

  as die a wees toevoor. Da mi kom waker.
  as DET PST BE before then 1SG come awake

  En mi a kik nochmaal na droom dat seven Kopp
  and 1SG PST see again NA dream that seven head

[p. 130]

  a groei na een Stock (Halm) die a wees vo[o+]<l>l (Saad) en
  PST grow NA a stalk stalk DET PST BE full seed and

  mooi. Darnah a kom op seven droge Kopp (of: Spuir21)
  beautiful there.after PST come up seven dry head or spur

130 die a wees denn en paschima. En die denne Spuiren
  DET PST BE thin and scorched and DET thin spur.PL

  a swalg die seven mooie Spuiren; die mi a ka verthel
  PST swill DET seven beautiful spur.PL DET 1SG PST PRF tell

  na die Waarseegers, maar niemand ben, die sal kan
  NA DET fortune.teller.PL but no.one BE DET FUT can

  lee mi die ut.
  lay 1SG DET out

  Joseph a see na Pharao: Alltwee wat a ka d<ol•r>oom
  Joseph PST say NA pharaoh both what PST PRF dream

135 na Pharao ben eenderley; Godt a mak bekent na Pha=
  NA pharaoh BE alike God PST make known NA pharaoh

  rao wat em hab voor. Die seven mooie Koehi ben
  - what 3SG have for DET seven beautiful cow BE

  seven Jaar, en die seven goeie Spuiren ben ook
  seven year and DET seven good spur.PL BE also

  seven Jaar; die ben eenderley Droom. Die seven
  seven year DET BE alike dream DET seven

  mager en haatlike Koehien, die a ka klim ut aster
  skinny and ugly cow.PL DET PST PRF climb out after

  ........................................ die

  134. I Boek Mose

140 die -jene22 dat ben ook seven Jaar; en die seven\mager en
  DET -one that BE also seven year and DET seven\skinny and

[p. 131]

  van die Ostwint verbrante Spuiren desgeleiks: want een
  of DET east.wind burned spur.PL as.well because a

  seven\jaarig hongertid sal kom.
  seven -year famine FUT come

  Dat ben noe die Saak, die mi a ka praat na Pharao;
  that BE now DET case DET 1SG PST PRF talk NA pharaoh

  namlik Godt wies na Pharao, wat em hab voor23. Kik,
  namely God show NA pharaoh what 3SG have before look

145 seven Jaar sal kom, na die sal wees groote Overvloed
  seven year FUT come NA DET FUT BE great abundance

  na geheel Egypten Land, En na aster die selve een hon=
  NA entire Egypt country and NA after DET same a -

  ger -Tid sal kom die sal hou aan seven Jaar; da Volk
  famine FUT come DET FUT keep on seven year then people

  sal vergeet na Egypten Land allegaar die Overvloed;
  FUT forget NA Egypt country all DET abundance

  en die Honger sal jett die Land. Volk no sal weet meer
  and DET hunger FUT eat DET country people NEG FUT know more

150 van die Overvloed, die a wees na die Land, voor die Hong=
  of DET abundance DET PST BE NA DET country before DET -

  ersnood, die sal kom aster -aan; want die sal wees goe
  famine DET FUT come later.on because DET FUT BE very

  groot. En dat die a ka droom Pharao tweemaal, die
  great and that DET PST PRF dream pharaoh two.times DET

  le bedeut24, dat die bi Godt ben vast -beslooten <ol•en> no sal ver
  ASP mean that DET by God BE determined and NEG FUT -

  toef vor doe die.
  tarry FOR do DET

[p. 132]

155 Noe Pharao kik na een verstandig en wies Mann,
  now pharaoh look NA a sensible and wise man

  en set em over Egypten Land; en Pharao maak, dat
  and put 3SG above Egypt country and pharao make that

  deese Mann bestell Amtlieden, en neem die tiende ge
  DEM man appoint civil.servant.PL and take DET tenth -

  dobbelt, na die Land, wanneer die seven Jaar van O=
  doubled NA DET country when DET seven year of -

  vervloed sal kom. En gaader alle Kost na die Goeie
  abundance FUT come and gather all food NA DET good

160 Jaaren, die sender sal kom; en dat die Korn word na
  year.PL DET 3PL FUT come and that DET corn become NA

  Hoop gegooit, dat Pharao hab een Voorrath na si Hand
  pile thrown that pharaoh have a stock NA 3POS hand

  nabin die Staeeden, en dat die selve word goet bewaard
  NA.inside DET town.PL and that DET same become well preserved

  na die Kornhoesen van Pharao; dat volk vind jett ver
  NA DET granary.PL of pharaoh that people find food -

  ordinirt na die seven Honger jaaren, welk sal kom
  ordained NA DET seven hunger year.PL which FUT come

165 over Egypten Land, dat niet die geheele Land bederv van
  over Egypt country that NEG DET entire country decay of

  <lm•Honger.>
  hunger
  ........................................ Die

  Harmoni Cap. 41, v. 14=46......................... 135.

  Die Praat a behaag Pharao (goet) wehl25, en allemaal
  DET talk PST please pharaoh good well and all

[p. 133]

  si Hof\bedieners En Pharao a spreek tot si Hofbedien=
  3POS court.servant.PL and pharaoh PST speak to 3POS court -servant.PL

  ers: Sal wel een Mann word gevonden, g<ol•l>ik deese, nabin
  - will well a man become found like DEM NA.inside

170 welk die Geest Godts ben? En Pharao a spreek na Jo=
  which DET Spirit God.GEN BE and pharaoh PST speak NA Joseph

  [ -seph] seph: Derwiel Godt na joe a ka maak bekent soo
  - - because God NA 2SG PST PRF make known such

  goed allemaal, soo ben niet een so verstandig en wies
  good all so BE NEG one so sensible and wise

  glik joe. Joe sall wees over mi Hoes, en na joe Mond
  like 2SG 2SG FUT BE over 1SG house and NA 2SG mouth

  sall allemaal mi Volk26 wees gehoorsam; mi will maar
  FUT all 1SG people BE obedient 1SG want only

175 die Koniklike Troon wees hogher, a27 joe.
  DET royal throne BE higher NA 2SG

  En Pharao a spreek tot Joseph: Kik, mi a ka
  and pharaoh PST speak to Joseph look 1SG PST PRF

  set joe vor wees Heer over geheel Egypten Land. En Pha=
  put 2SG FOR BE lord over entire Egypt country and pharaoh

  rao a neem si Ring van si Hand, en a gie die na Joseph
  - PST take 3POS ring of 3POS hand and PST give DET NA Joseph

  si Hand; en a kleed em met kostlike wite Kleeding, en
  3POS hand and PST dress 3SG with costly white clothes and

180 a doe een Goude Ketting rond si Hals. En a lat vaar em
  PST put a golden chain around 3POS neck and PST let travel 3SG

  op si tweede Carosch, en a lat na voor em roep ut: Die
  up 3POS second carriage and PST let NA before 3SG call out DET

[p. 134]

  ben die Land si Vader, en dat Volk sall boek28 die Knie na
  BE DET country 3POS father and that people FUT bend DET knee NA

  voor em en bekenn em voor die Heer over geheel Egyp=
  before 3SG and acknowledge 3SG before DET lord over entire Egypt

  ten Land. En Pharao a see verder na Josph:
  - country and pharaoh PST say further NA Joseph

185 Soo waar as mi ben Pharao; soo sall sonder joe
  so true as 1SG BE pharaoh so will without 2SG

  will, niemand Lecht op si Hand of Voett na geheel
  win no.one raise up 3POS hand or foot NA entire

  Egypten Land. En Pharao a gie Joseph die Naam
  Egypt country and pharaoh PST give Joseph DET name

  Zophna=Paneah, da<ol•t> ben: die Utlegger van verborgen
  Zaphnath -Paneach that BE DET explainer of secrecy

  heit. En a gie em Assenath vor wees si Wief, die a wees
  - and PST give 3SG Asnath FOR BE 3POS wife DET PST BE

190 die Dochter van Potiphera, die Priester na On. En so
  DET daughter of Potiphera DET priest NA On and so

  Joseph a trek ut na die Land Egypten; dertig
  Joseph PST move out NA DET country Egypt thirty

  Jaar oud a wees Joseph, as em a staan navoor die
  year old PST BE Joseph as 3SG PST stand NA.front DET

  ...................................... Konig

  I Boek Mose

  Konig Pharao, en vaar ut van Pharao, en reis door die
  king pharaoh and travel out of pharaoh and travel through DET

  geheele Egypten Land. (En a maak Anstalt.)
  entire Egypt country and PST make preparations

[p. 135]

3.1.2 Genesis 1-4 in ms. 3313 (1795)

This second example is taken from A free translation of Genesis 1,16-4,26. As this title, which was given to the manuscript in Stein (1986b), says: it is a free and interpretative translation, without the structure of the original Bible verses. The entire original manuscript contains only 32 pages, and it may have been used as a sermon or as part of one. It is not likely that a complete Old Testament translation, like manuscript 325, was intended by the writer.

1 VI Kain en Abel 1 Mos. 4.
  VI Cain and Abel 1 Book.of.Moses 4

  Die eerste Ouders sen a krieg
  DET first parents 3PL PST get

  Kinders, die a glik sender, die ben,
  child.PL DET PST resemble 3PL DET BE

  sondige en sterflike Menschen. Sender
  sinful and mortal people 3PL

5 eerste Soon sen a gie em die Naam
  first son 3PL PST give 3SG DET name

  Kain, die ben so veel as ontvangen,
  Cain DET BE so much as conceived

  ...................................... derwil

  derwill sen a dink altomets by si
  because 3PL PST think already at 3POS

  Geboort, die sal wees die Saat van
  birth DET FUT BE DET seed of

  die Wif, welk sal drap29 die Slang si
  DET wife which FUT cut.off DET snake 3POS

10 Kop; en so die Naam a wees een
  head and so DET name PST BE a

  Bewies van sender Gloof na die
  proof of 3PL belief NA DET

[p. 136]

  Beloofnis van God, met die sen a
  promise of God with DET 3PL PST

  troost sender nabinne sen Elend30.
  console 3PL NA.inside 3PL misery

  Sender tweede Soon si Naam a wees
  3PL second son 3POS name PST BE

15 Abel. Deese si Werk a wees voor
  Abel DEM 3POS work PST BE FOR

  quek Vee; maar Kain a werk na
  raise cattle but Cain PST work NA

  Grond. Die ben also die twee
  soil DET BE thus DET two

  oudste {Manier vor lev |Ambach -ten}, en ook die breng
  oldest way FOR live craft.PL and also DET bring

  die meeste Profit. Alltwee die
  DET most profit both DET

20 Broeders a wees geweent31, vor br*e*ng
  brother.PL PST BE used FOR bring

  een Vereering na God, na die rechte
  a sacrifice NA God NA DET right

  Tid, vor bewies sender Danki vor
  time FOR prove 3PL thanks for

  si Weldaaten32. Die sen a roep
  3POS benefaction.PL DET 3PL PST call

  een Offer. Kain a breng Offer van
  a sacrifice Cain PST bring sacrifice of

[p. 137]

25 si Vrüchten na si Plantey; maar
  3POS fruit.PL NA 3POS plantation but

  Abel a breng [ -van] die <ol•beste van sie> eerste die si
  Abel PST bring of DET best of 3POS first DET 3POS

  Vee a breng em.|| Derwil Abel
  cattle PST bring 3SG because Abel

  a doe die nabinne Gloof na die
  PST do DET NA.inside belief NA DET

  ..........................................

  toekomstighe Verlossing, die God a be=
  coming redemption DET God PST -

30 loof na die eerste Ouders; (Ebr. 11, 14.) so
  promise NA DET first parents Hebr. 11 14 so

  God a kik gnadig na si Offer. Maar
  God PST look merciful NA 3POS sacrifice but

  na die Offer van Kain Em no a hab geen
  NA DET sacrifice of Cain 3SG NEG PST have NEG.one

  Welbehaagen; want em no a Gloof, en
  pleasure because 3SG NEG PST belief and

  sonder Gloof die ben onmooglik vor be=
  without belief DET BE impossible FOR -

35 haag God. Ebr. 11, 6. Na Plek van die
  please God Hebr. 11 6 NA place of DET

  dat Cain a sal [ -soek Gnade] verneeder em
  that Cain PST FUT seek mercy humiliate 3SG

  vor God vor die, en soek Gnade by Em,
  for/before God for DET and seek mercy at 3SG

  em a kom jalous na si Broeder Abel,
  3SG PST come jealous NA 3POS brother Abel

  en a kom na so een Boosheid, dat si Torn
  and PST come NA such a anger that 3POS wrath

[p. 138]

40 a wees vor kik na em. God a waar=
  PST BE FOR look NA 3SG God PST -

  skou em vor die Sondo na die em sal
  warn 3SG for DET sin NA DET 3SG FUT

  vall, as em no laatstaan die bitter
  fall as 3SG NEG leave DET bitter

  Veyandskap; toen si Broedr hab
  hostility when 3POS brother have

  <lm•doch> allmaal Respect vor em. || Maar
  yet all respect for 3SG but

45 die no a help; Kain a bewaar die
  DET NEG PST help Cain PST keep DET

  <lm•Spit> nabinne si Hert: maar dat si Broe=
  evil NA.inside 3POS heart but that 3POS brother

  der no sal bemerk die, em a praat met
  - NEG FUT notice DET 3SG PST talk with

  em so glik as toevoorn ook aster die Waar=
  3SG so same as before also after DET -

  skouwing van God; tee sen a wees
  warning of God until 3PL PST BE

50 eenmaal nabutte met malkander
  once NA.outside with each.other

  na die Field: da em a hoppo na
  NA DET field then 3SG PST stand.up NA

  ........................................ em,

  em, en a slaa em dood. So quaat
  3SG and PST strike 3SG dead so evil

  en bederf die mens -chlik Hert a kom
  and rotten DET human heart PST come

  eenrees aster die Vall. So gauw
  once after DET fall so soon

[p. 139]

55 ook die Veyandskap van die Slang si
  also DET hostility of DET snake 3POS

  Saat a wees vor kik teegen die Wif si
  seed PST BE FOR see against DET wife 3POS

  Saat, die ben, die Ongloofigen teegen
  seed DET BE DET unbelieving.PL against

  die Gloofigen. En deese Veyandskap
  DET believing.PL and DEM hostility

  düer tee van -Dag.
  last until today

60 God a sal kan straaf deese Moord
  God PST FUT can punish DEM murder

  eenrees met die Dood. Maar Em no
  once with DET death but 3SG NEG

  a doe die, maar Em a soek volgens si
  PST do DET but 3SG PST seek following 3POS

  groote Goedheid, [-en *E Soe*] vor breng die
  great kindness and 3SG seek FOR bring DET

  Quaatdoener tot Bekennis van si
  evil.doer to confession of 3POS

65 Sondo, en tot een geneessame Berouw.
  sin and to a healing repentance

  [-van si Sondo]. Voordaarom Em a see
  of 3POS sin therefore 3SG PST say

  na em wagoed em ka doe, en a vraag
  NA 3SG what 3SG PRF do and PST ask

  em: Waar joe Broeder ben? Kain
  3SG where 2SG brother BE Cain

[p. 140]

  a soek vor maak em skoon met Lüge33,
  PST seek FOR make 3SG clean with lie

70 en a antwoord: Mi no weet die.
  and PST answer 1SG NEG know DET

  geheel Stoud em a see, mi sal wees
  entirely bold 3SG PST say 1SG FUT BE

  Wachman vor mi Broeder dan?
  keeper for 1SG brother then

  God a breng em na si Cons*c*ienci,
  God PST bring 3SG NA 3POS conscience

  en a see: Wat joe ka doe? Mi
  and PST say what 2SG PRF do 1SG

  ..........................................

75 ka hoor die Bloed van joe Broeder
  PRF hear DET blood of 2SG brother

  koerri, welk sk[*..*+]<r*a*>u na mi van die
  run which cry NA 1SG of DET

  Aarde. - Maar die Bloed van
  earth - but DET blood of

  Jesus praat beeter noe as die van Abel
  Jesus talk better now as DET of Abel

  (Ebr. 12, 24) - Aster die God a maak
  Hebr. 12 24 - after DET God PST make

80 bekent na Kain die Vloek en Onsegen,
  known NA Cain DET curse and unblessing

  dat em sal vlücht noe voll van Onge=
  that 3SG FUT flee now full of uneasiness

  rüst en Bangachtigheid en wandel
  - and fear and walk

[p. 141]

  na Mispat. Door die Kain a sal
  NA wrong.track by DET Cain PST FUT

  <lm•ka> bedink em selv, en a sal bed demoedig
  PRF consider 3SG self and PST FUT pray humble

85 vor Vergeeving nabinne Gloof na die be=
  for forgiveness NA.inside belief NA DET -

  loofde Verlosser. || Maar die a wees
  promised Saviour but DET PST BE

  vor kik all, na deese eerste Soon van
  FOR see all NA DEM first son of

  Adam, hoe stoud en bang -achtig die
  Adam how bold and fearful DET

  menschlike Hert ben so well voor as
  human heart BE so well before as

90 aster die Quaat die em ka doe. (Jer. 17, 9.)
  after DET evil DET 3SG PRF do Jeremiah 17 9

  Die Broeder - Mordnaar a bliev nabinne
  DET brother - murderer PST remain NA.inside

  si ongloofig en verhardte Sinn,
  3POS unbelieving and hardened mind

  a dink, die geskied Onrecht na em,
  PST think DET happen injustice NA 3SG

  en a see na God, voll van kleengloof
  and PST say NA God full of little.faith

95 en [-Ver][t+]<T>wiefel: ‘Die Straaf ben
  and doubt DET punishment BE

  all toe hard, mi no kan draag die.
  far too hard 1SG NEG can carry DET

  ........................................

  Joe ka verstoot mi, God en Menschen
  2SG PRF repudiate 1SG God and people

[p. 142]

  ka verlaat mi; die eerste Creatür,
  PRF leave 1SG DET first creature

  die gemoet mi, sal mattaan mi.
  DET meet 1SG FUT kill 1SG

100 Maar God die Heere a wees so
  but God DET Lord PST BE so

  gnadig, en a verseeker em door een
  merciful and PST ascertain 3SG by a

  Teeken, dat so Goed no sal geskied.
  sign that such thing NEG FUT happen

  Maar Kain a bliev doch dieselvde
  but Cain PST stay yet DET.same

  en a wandel met een quaaije Consci=
  and PST walk with a evil conscience

105 enci, tee op -latst, [-em a bou] veer
  - until finally 3SG PST build far

  wee van die Familie van die Gloovigen
  away of DET family of DET believer.PL

  em a bouw die eerste Stadt tot
  3SG PST build DET first city to

  si Sekürheid, welk em a gie die Naam
  3POS security which 3SG PST give DET name

  Hanoch.
  Hanoch

  By deese Geskiednis ons a will
  by DEM story 1PL PST will

  merk ons die Vermaaning van die
  emphasize 1PL DET admonition of DET

  Apostel; dat ons sal hab lief
  apostle that 1PL FUT have dear

[p. 143]

  malkander, en no wees so glik Kain,
  each.other and NEG BE so like Cain

  die a wees van die Quaaije, en a
  DET PST BE of DET evil and PST

  vermoord si Broeder, en voorwaarom?
  murder 3POS brother and why

  derwill si Werken a wees quaat,
  because 3POS work.PL PST BE evil

  en die van si Broeder a wees
  and DET of 3POS brother PST BE

  gerecht.
  right

3.2 Fragments from the New Testament

In chapter 2 and section 3.1 we have seen some religious and biblical documents. They were either manuscripts or printed texts, and mostly translations of parts of the Old Testament. These Negerhollands translations are unique because they are the only extant versions and because of their age.

In the following sections, translations of the New Testament are presented. They are unique documents as well, but not in the sense that there is only one version of each. In fact, there is a considerable number of early Negerhollands translations of the same texts. This has enabled us to arrange them for comparison with each other in several ways. The two main combinations that provide interesting contrasts are those of:

a)different variants of the same texts from the same group, in some cases even by the same translator. They could give us a closer look at synchronic linguistic variation within a certain speech community. In this category we find e.g. four manuscript versions of Jesus' first miracle, translated by Böhner, or possibly based on a translation by Böhner;
b)different variants of the same texts from different societal groups. This could throw extra light on linguistic variation between and across these groups, in particular on the question of differences between the missionaries from Danish and German backgrounds. To this end one could contrast Magens' New Testament translation with that by Böhner and others.