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in Burkina Faso, West Africa, literally obliged me to take a six-week introduction to Biblical
Hebrew in July 1997, in Bouak, Cte dIvoire. This led to a four month study in Israel later in the year,
at the Home for Bible Translators, near Jerusalem. Having studied discourse analysis of an African
language, I was immediately drawn to the potential benefits of examining the Hebrew text from a
discourse perspective. My reading through the Torah coincided with Stephen Levinsohns preparations
for a non-narrative discourse workshop in Burkina for Bible translators in late 2002, which resulted in
numerous Email exchanges concerning the analysis of several legal texts.
I have my advisor, Willard Swartley to thank for convincing me to package my study and research into
an M.A. program, and my husband Daniel for encouraging me to go for it, even though it would mean
months of separation, and many hours in front of the computer when at home. My thanks go also to my
supervisor and second reader, Perry Yoder and Stephen Levinsohn for their comments, both insightful
and challenging.
Acknowledgements would not be complete without recognizing those who helped out financially
along the way: for ANTBA and Home for Bible Translators for financial support for my Hebrew studies
in Cte dIvoire and Israel; for Mennonite Church Canada, my employer, and A.M.B.S., for financial
assistance at A.M.B.S. in 2000-01, and for granting a study leave in 2003-04, so that I could complete this
thesis.
Most of all, I am thankful to God for enabling me to undertake this mid-life venture and to discover in
a new way the richness of those ancient laws, for providing a welcoming community at A.M.B.S. during
my stay away from home, and for all the friends and family who have cheered me along the way.
Thank-you! Merci!