Anglo-Vietnamese Congregation Uses New Translation on Their Bi-cultural Journey
Episcopal News Service. November 13, 1997 [97-2007]
(ENS) Scores of languages are spoken in Anglican churches throughout the world, and sometimes more than one language is spoken within the same liturgy. Translators are not uncommon in church. But St. Patrick's Episcopal Church in Falls Church, Va. is unique in the entire Anglican Communion: this bi-lingual, bi-cultural mission of the Diocese of Virginia is the only Anglo-Vietnamese congregation in the world. There are other Vietnamese congregations in the Episcopal Church, but none which consider themselves bi-lingual and bi-cultural.
At every service held at St. Patrick's, both languages are spoken. Although some services include more Vietnamese and others more English, at a minimum the Gospel and the dismissal are said in both tongues. Sometimes, St. Patrick's two priests, the Rev. James Papile and the Rev. Tinh Huynh, concelebrate in both languages.
Naturally, this presents a challenge in a tradition which relies heavily on the Book of Common Prayer. Since St. Patrick's, formerly a predominantly white parish, became an Anglo-Vietnamese mission in 1994, the congregation has used weekly worship leaflets which show the Vietnamese translation of the liturgy. That is, until Huynh and two parishioners undertook the mammoth task of producing a bi-lingual service book.
The simple, attractive, soft-bound book includes the seven services used most often at St. Patrick's. The English and Vietnamese versions of the liturgy are placed side-by-side on each page, allowing worshipers to follow along regardless of what language is being used by the celebrant, or which language the worshiper speaks.
"It was something we decided we needed to do," says Papile. "Since we have always used Vietnamese and English in all our services, this makes the entire service accessible to everyone, throughout the whole service."
Papile credits Huynh with coming up with the idea of the side-by-side translations. "It was a tremendously difficult and huge job. It's remarkable that he and a couple members of the congregation were able to do it."
Huynh says that he had been translating liturgies, service by service, as they were needed. He began with Holy Eucharist, Rite II. Then he needed the service for Holy Baptism in Vietnamese, so he translated that. Then, there was a wedding, and so on: "I just added on and added on."
"I have been doing this for two and one-half years," Huynh says. "Finally, I sat down for two months to format everything and figure out a way to balance that in columns."
He tinkered with font sizes and line spacing, and occasionally even with the translation itself ("within certain limits," he said) to make the columns of English and Vietnamese text come out evenly. It was a challenge, but "I got it in so I am happy," he concludes.
Although Huynh did "99 percent" of the work, he has enlisted help from two Vietnamese parishioners. In both cases, Huynh saw an opportunity not so much to get their help with the translation as to teach them about the faith. One was put to work on translating some of the liturgy "to help him grow and understand the Prayer Book," says Huynh. Another is now working on translating the Catechism.
Papile notes, "We were able to print this through the largesse of the Trinity Grants Program. He explains that St. Patrick's is using the three-year grant "for many things that pertain to the bi-cultural nature of our community. For example, we were able to buy many of the materials for our bi-cultural Sunday school through this grant. Many of the physical aspects of our service are both American and Vietnamese, and we are using some of the grant money to buy Vietnamese altar hangings. We also hope to print Vietnamese translations of some hymns."
Papile says that the bi-lingual service book has caught the attention of the Rev. Winston Ching, of the Asia-America desk at the Episcopal Church Center in New York, as well as two Vietnamese congregations in Southern California. According to Papile, "Tinh will be working with the priests in those congregations and their input will be important in any revisions" to the service book.
At St. Patrick's, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Papile notes, "Even though the English-speaking members of the church could use the Book of Common Prayer to follow along, many people now use the bilingual service book. There's real meaning in having in your hands the bilingual version.
"People love it," Papile says.
Huynh says, "The Anglos like it, and the Vietnamese find it very convenient." They used the booklet last Sunday during a service concelebrated in both languages, and Huynh noticed "more response from the Vietnamese members."
"It went very well and I feel very blessed."
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