Mary’s song of praise in Luke 1:46-55: A biblical interpretation model for doing a contemporary Ilonggo interpretation in a bilingual setting

Abstract

This is an attempt to ask and answer questions arising from the periscope in Luke 1:46-55, its context and the interpreter’s context, in order to develop a contemporary Ilonggo interpretation in a bilingual setting. The purpose of this contemporary Ilonggo interpretation is the development of a more relevant translation and hermeneutics for Christian ministry in churches and in the larger community.

The three main questions this study attempted to answer are: a.) What is the original meaning of the periscope? b.) What are the underlying principles and teaching?, and c.) What interpretative direction(s) can be taken on the basis of this periscope? The steps made toward answering these questions involved several support tasks which included an Overview of the Gospel of Luke, Testing the text of Luke 1:46-55 for variant readings. Analysis of the syntax, word meaning and literary device, and Determining the immediate and underlying contexts of the periscope. The last task involves distinguishing between the context which is a vehicle or medium for communication and the message of the periscope.