Gender Bias in Translation: A Sociolinguistic Analysis of Sexist Language from NET Bible into the Tok Pisin Translation of the New Testament

Abstract

This paper examines the presence and portrayal of sexist language in translating the New Testament from the New English Translation (NET) Bible to the Tok Pisin Buk Baibel, focusing on the socio-cultural implications of language. Using a sociolinguistic lens, it explores how gender biases are represented, amplified, or reduced in translation, especially in linguistic elements like generic nouns, pronouns, derivational forms, and parallel structures. Through qualitative analysis, the study identifies instances of gender-neutral terms in the NET Bible and assesses the translation strategies applied to gendered terms in the Tok Pisin Bible. It also explores shifts in gendered expressions between the source and target texts, evaluating the Tok Pisin translation for accuracy, acceptability, and readability. The findings reveal how translation choices can reinforce or counteract gender biases, affecting the portrayal of gender roles within the religious text. This highlights how socio-cultural factors influence translation decisions, impacting the interpretation of biblical messages and broader perceptions of gender in religious contexts. By examining these translation patterns, the study contributes to discussions on gender sensitivity in religious and literary translations and emphasizes the importance of addressing gendered language with cultural awareness. Overall, this research underscores translation as a culturally embedded process, illustrating the significant role of language in shaping societal views on gender within a socio-religious framework.