Translating the message

Published in 1989 by Orbis Books, Translating the Message: The Missionary Impact on Culture was written by Gambian scholar Lamin O. Sanneh. The work emerged from Sanneh's rigorous theological and historical exploration of how Christianity intersects with indigenous cultures through the translation of religious texts. It serves as a foundational academic text that challenges traditional perspectives on missions by arguing that the act of translation inherently elevates local languages and empowers the recipients of the message.

Sanneh, who became a prominent professor of missions and world Christianity at Yale University, designed the book to reframe the narrative of colonial-era missionary work. Rather than viewing the expansion of Christianity strictly through the lens of imperial imposition, he highlights the role of vernacular translation in cultural preservation and transformation. The book was received with significant scholarly acclaim, establishing Sanneh as a leading voice in post-colonial missiology and shaping the way future scholars approach religious studies and cultural history.