It's interesting how Westerners in the 19th century knew there was a difference between Macedonian and Bulgarian and still call it 'Bulgarian' or sometimes both 'Macedonian' and 'Bulgarian'. Here's something from a letter written in 1860;
Although the interest of the Bulgarians themselves in the Scriptures was very great, one of the news papers having made the statement that "it is the study of the Bible which makes a nation great," and recommended the study of the Scriptures throughout ihe country, yet it was not till 1864 that an entire Bible was given to that people, the printing having been done at Constantinople. In the annual report for the year 1860, the Rev. S. It. Bergne communicates the following, which we subjoin:
" It appears that there is some difference between the Macedonian, or Western, and the Eastern dialects of the Bulgarian. Formerly the Western dialect was in the ascendant, but latterly it is becoming superseded by the Eastern. There is a review and several newspapers published in Bulgaria; these adopt the Eastern dialect: and there is every probability that. In a short time, it will push out the Western dialect so far as the literary character of the language Is concerned. Our New Test. Is In the Western dialect; the translation was made tweuty years since at Smyrna, by a monk of the name of Neophytus, and was carefully examined by a bishop. It was printed for the first time In 1840. Poor Photiuoff, of whose character every one speaks in the highest terms, was engaged with Dr. Riggs in the translation of the Old Test., audiu the early pari of the work favored the Western dialect: but in correcting the work, as well as In the latter portion of the translation, he adopted the Eastern dialect; and Dr. Riggs feels assnred that If his life bad been spared he would have followed this course throughout the whole translation. Either dialect can be read in all parts of the country, but as the Macedonian is going into disuse, so far as literature is concerned, it would be extremely undesirable that It should be adopted in the Scriptures. Photiuoff was very auxious to complete the work, and persevered In it, In spite of every remonstrance, almost to the day of his death. The present reviser, who succeeded Photiuoff, and is a good scholar, follows the Eastern dialect. The revision of the Old Test, has proceeded as fur as the Pentateuch; and Dr. Riggs is now desirous of going to press with as little delay as possible. Separate books of the Old Test, have already beeu printed ; but instead of fixing ou detached books, it is recommended that the whole of the Old Test, should be printed consecutively, say, In three parts — the first portion containing the Pentateuch, the second closing with the historical books or Job, aud the third including the resL Small editions, perhaps one thousand copies, are proposed. These copies will be placed in the bauds of competent judges for remarks nnu criticisms, aud by the lime the last part is printed the necessary materials will be possessed for commencing the edition of the Bible in one volume. Dr. Riggs states that some slight changes will be desirable in the New Test., to bring the dialect into strict conformity with that adopted in the Old Test."
" It appears that there is some difference between the Macedonian, or Western, and the Eastern dialects of the Bulgarian. Formerly the Western dialect was in the ascendant, but latterly it is becoming superseded by the Eastern. There is a review and several newspapers published in Bulgaria; these adopt the Eastern dialect: and there is every probability that. In a short time, it will push out the Western dialect so far as the literary character of the language Is concerned. Our New Test. Is In the Western dialect; the translation was made tweuty years since at Smyrna, by a monk of the name of Neophytus, and was carefully examined by a bishop. It was printed for the first time In 1840. Poor Photiuoff, of whose character every one speaks in the highest terms, was engaged with Dr. Riggs in the translation of the Old Test., audiu the early pari of the work favored the Western dialect: but in correcting the work, as well as In the latter portion of the translation, he adopted the Eastern dialect; and Dr. Riggs feels assnred that If his life bad been spared he would have followed this course throughout the whole translation. Either dialect can be read in all parts of the country, but as the Macedonian is going into disuse, so far as literature is concerned, it would be extremely undesirable that It should be adopted in the Scriptures. Photiuoff was very auxious to complete the work, and persevered In it, In spite of every remonstrance, almost to the day of his death. The present reviser, who succeeded Photiuoff, and is a good scholar, follows the Eastern dialect. The revision of the Old Test, has proceeded as fur as the Pentateuch; and Dr. Riggs is now desirous of going to press with as little delay as possible. Separate books of the Old Test, have already beeu printed ; but instead of fixing ou detached books, it is recommended that the whole of the Old Test, should be printed consecutively, say, In three parts — the first portion containing the Pentateuch, the second closing with the historical books or Job, aud the third including the resL Small editions, perhaps one thousand copies, are proposed. These copies will be placed in the bauds of competent judges for remarks nnu criticisms, aud by the lime the last part is printed the necessary materials will be possessed for commencing the edition of the Bible in one volume. Dr. Riggs states that some slight changes will be desirable in the New Test., to bring the dialect into strict conformity with that adopted in the Old Test."
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