Burmese Version of the Scriptures

Burmese Version Of The Scriptures The Burmese, it has been conjectured, was originally a dialect of the Chinese family of languages, and was moulded into its present form by admixture with the Pali. It numbers many dialects, some say, as many as eighteen. 'The first attempt to procure a complete version in this language was made by the Baptist missionaries at Serampore. About the year 1807 Felix 'Carey, the son of Dr. Carey, settled as a missionary in Burmah; and, in conjunction with Mr. Chater, he produced a translation of two or three of the Gospels. In 1815 the Gospel of St. Matthew was printed by them in Serampore; but this version proved very imperfect. In 1816 Dr. Adoniram Judson, in connection with Mr. Hough, recommenced the version; and in 1817 the Gospel of St. 'Matthew was printed at Rangoon, as introductory to the entire New Test. The first complete version of the New Test. was issued from the press in December, 1832; and in 1834 Dr. Judson completed the translation of the Old Test. (a second edition of which appeared in 1840). 'In 1837 'a second and much-improved edition of the New Test. was printed by the American Baptist missionaries established at Maulmein. The language has been treated by Judson, Burmese and English Dictionary (Maulmein, 1826,1852), also Grammar of the Burmese Language (Rangoon, 1866); Latter, Burmese Grammar (Calcutta, 1845). See Bible of Every Land, p. 7 sq. (B. P.)