Abstract:
Jacobus Elisa Johannes Capitein (1717-1747) was the first
African Protestant chaplain at the Elmina Castle, Gold Coast
(Ghana). He is credited with the translation of the popular Judeo-Christian
prayer, usually referred to as 'The Lord's Prayer ', into the
Mfantse language, using a Dutch orthography. This paper focuses
mainly on the hermeneutical principles underlying Capitein's
translation. It is being argued that Capitein has produced a
stimulating translation that reflects a creative adaptation of various
renditions of this popular prayer to the liturgical and catechetical
needs of his time. He has also attempted an appreciable transposition
of Judeo-Christian thought into the local edina (elmina)
setting, his limited knowledge of the indigenous culture
notwithstanding. His accomplishment can therefore be described as a'
noble pioneering effort in the discipline of biblical hermeneutics
using relevant mother tongue thought categories.
