102 BOOK REVIEWSfollowed by a literal translation in English, and then some background in-formation on the proverb where possible, and, lastly, the meaning of theproverb.It is a pity that Pelling does not go as far as Nyembezi or Hamutyineiand Plangger do, to give the 'application' of the proverb, i.e. where andwhen it should be used, in what sort of situation. In some way, the use of aproverb can be inferred from its meaning. But for second-language users, forwhom I presume Pelling's book was primarily written, the application part is,in my view, very necessary. Both Nyembezi and Hamutyinei and Planggerexplicitly incorporate this feature of 'application' in their works. In Nyamambiand Mpofu it is somewhat embodied in their explanation of the proverbs, ina clearer form than in Pelling's book.Having extensively used Nyembezi's book for over fifteen years, I amleft with the feeling that Pelling's book is a potted version, in Ndebele form,of Nyembezi's book. Anyone familiar with Nyamambi and Mpofu's Izagacould view Pelling's Ndeble Proverbs as a shorter version of these authors'work, with English explanations. But the arrangement is different in Pelling'sbook, and perhaps better than that of Izaga.University of Zimbabwe C. M. SILEYAA New Testament Wordbook English by R. A. B. Ewbank, Shona by M.Mutyandasvika, Ndebele by L. Dube. Gwelo, Mambo Press, 1979, 64pp.,ZS1.00.The purpose of the booklet is clearly set out in the preface. It is intended toassist Shona and Ndebele readers of the New Testament by providing trans-lations of some thirty common New Testament words. Among the translatedwords are such well known terms as Regeneration, Faith and Covenant.Bible references are given to help the readers understand the words in context.Nevertheless, the technique of translation is not one of nature's gifts to every-one, especially when it comes to translating words from English that havethemselves been translated from the Greek or Hebrew.As I have only a smattering of Ndebele, I can only comment on the Shona.1. BIRTHNew or SecondRegenerationKuzvarwaKutsva kana kwechipiriKusikwa patsvaIt is only with careful explanation and in context that such terms can conveythe intended meaning. To say, 'Anobva aita mwana mucheche zvakare' meansthat he becomes a baby again, which is not what the Scripture says.2. CONSCIENCE : Moyo wokuziva zvakanaka nezva-kaipaMoyo is concerned with the will and emotions and not with judgement or 'knowledge. For example, 'Ane moyo wakashinga' means he has a strongwill; 'Moyo wangu hauzvide' means I dislike it. '3. MEDIATOR : MupupuriThis word is a derivative noun from the verb pupura (to witness) and meansa witness to the truth of someone's statement. The mupupuri need not bewitnessing in one's favour or be mediating at all.i!BOOK REVIEWS 1034. AGE : Zero renguvaTranslation must make sense and represent the customary usage of the naturallanguage; zero renguva is too literal and meaningless.5. FAITH : RutendoThe noun is from the verb kutenda (to thank); and rutendo means gratitudeand not faith.6. COMMUNION : ChidyoThe noun chidyo is from the verb kudya (to eat). Chidyo, unqualified,means anything that is edible; and that is not the idea of communion.7. FULLNESS : Kuzara kwaMwariThis does not make sense and does not represent the customary usage of thelanguage.8. LOVE : Mwari vanhu vatatu vakabatanidzwapamwe chete norudoVanhu vatatu means three human beings and so the sentence means, 'God isthree persons bound together by love.' This is not what the Trinity means.Even the Shona do not regard Mwari as munhu.I have just picked on a few of the thirty words translated by Mutyandasvika,and there are others that do not meet the criteria of a good translation.According to Nida, there are three basic requirements that a translator needsto satisfy in order to obtain the closest equivalent in translation: The trans-lation must represent the customary usage of the natural language; it mustmake sense; and it must conform to the meaning of the original. Neverthelessthis is a highly commendable attempt which should receive encouragement fromBible readers.University of Zimbabwe J. C. KUMBIRAIMuseum Memoir No. 9: Check List and Atlas of the Mammals of ZimbabweRhodesia By Reay H. N. Smithers and V. J. Wilson. Salisbury, NationalMuseums and Monuments, 1979, 193pp., ZS12.00.This book is more than a mere checklist, if by that term one understandsmerely a recital of names, dates and geographical locations relating to recordsof the mammalian fauna of Zimbabwe. It includes for each species named amap and explanatory text of its distribution as well as descriptions ofhabitats and habits, foodstuffs taken and breeding patterns.The presentation, including the chosen typefaces, is pleasing and clearwith taxonomic headings well differentiated by the size and boldness of thetype. The maps of distribution, however, are so reduced for printing that amagnifying glass becomes almost essential for the reading of place-names.Illustrations are limited to a few skulls and osteological details of systematicvalue, Indexing of both the common and scientific names of the species isprovided, with the additional advantage that both generic and specific namesare indexed separately.