Abstract

Bible translation was the primary project of Protestant missions to Oceania, but missionaries’ preliminary texts typically included catechisms that they used to expound Christian dogma and as schoolroom material. I analyze and compare two 19th century Nafe (Kwamera) language catechisms. The London Missionary Society published the first (Naresian Te Nankerian Fei Iehova) in Apia in 1845. Presbyterian missionary William Watt printed several editions of a second catechism (Naresian) on his handpress, the first edition at his Kwamera mission station in 1876. I read these catechisms to assess missionary choices in how to express Christian concepts and personages in Nafe language (noting a few early Bislama items). Second, I compare the catechisms’ orthography, lexemes, and clarity of syntax, speculating about 19th century reader (or auditor) reception. The two evince Nafe dialectical differences between Kwamera (where Watt was initially based) and Port Resolution.

Te Reo-Volume 68-Issue 3-pp. 161–184