Syntax

Pronouns[edit]

Even minor modifications to the writings (such as pronouns) are wrong[edit]

"As regards the changing of the pronouns in the prayers of Bahá'u'lláh. Even though the change is not so important for it makes no alteration in an important aspect of the writings, yet it is counter to a basic principle mentioned by Bahá'u'lláh in the book of Aqdas. There he prohibits in most emphatic terms the interpolation of the Words. It would therefore be wrong to effect such modifications even though it is insignificant."

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, letter to an individual, Messages to the Antipodes, p. 80)

Note on Aqdas[edit]

Note: Although the only apparent mention in the Aqdas (paragraph 105) does not directly criticize interpolation, in the context of criticizing false interpretations, it does criticize the perverting of the Word of God. 'Abdu'l-Bahá in His Will and Testament does directly criticize interpolation, however.

He/His vs. It[edit]

https://bahai-library.com/uhj_mihdi_pronouns_english#q3

Capitalization[edit]

Pronouns referring to the Manifestation or Master should be capitalized[edit]

"Pronouns referring to the Manifestation, or the Master, should, however, invariably be capitalized."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, November 8, 1948: Bahá'í News, No. 216, p. 1, February 1949, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1700)

"The Guardian wishes your Committee to capitalize all pronouns when referring to Bahá'u'lláh, the Bab and the Master, even though the newspapers do not use them."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'í News Service Committee, February 5, 1938; in Lights of Guidance, no. 364)

"In regard to your question about capitalizing the pronouns: The Guardian realizes this looks a little strange to non-Bahá'ís, but he feels we, being believers, and having the full sense of the Stations of the Central figures of our Faith, should do this as a sign of respect under all circumstances."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, November 22, 1949; in Lights of Guidance, no. 364)

"He is interested in accomplishing two things--he would like in the European languages to have as much uniformity with the English translations as possible; he does not wish the Bahá'í translations to be in any way a flagrant violation of the rules of the language into which our literature is being translated.

"Your Committee must conscientiously study this question, and then do the best you can to have the Bahá'í literature in French meet the high standards of the French language and grammar.

"If the possessive and demonstrative adjectives and pronouns in French are never capitalized where they stand for 'God', then this should not be done in the Bahá'í literature. If there is a precedent for doing so in the French language, however, they should be. The same is true of the attributes of God."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Translation and Publication Committee of France, February 15, 1957; in Lights of Guidance, no. 365)

Gender, number, or person[edit]

Not permissible to substitute the plural for the singular[edit]

"In regard to your question as to whether it is permissible to substitute the plural pronoun for the singular in prayers worded in the singular, the Guardian would strongly urge your N.S.A. to inform the friends to strictly adhere to the text of the Holy Writings, and not to deviate even a hair-breadth from what has been revealed by the Holy Pen. Besides, it should be noted that congregational prayer has been discouraged by Bahá'u'lláh, and that it is allowed only in the case of the prayer for the dead."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand, October 17, 1934; in Lights of Guidance, no. 1496; also in Messages to the Antipodes)

Not permissible to change pronouns even in the long Obligatory Prayer or healing prayers; ignore this "mere detail" or say a different prayer[edit]

"Also concerning your question about the prayers and changing the pronouns: This cannot be done, even in the long Obligatory Prayer or the healing prayers. Either we must ignore this mere detail or say a prayer that applies to our sex or number...."

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Unfolding Destiny, p. 173)

Prayers should be printed without a word (including pronouns) changed[edit]

"Regarding your question as to the changing of pronouns in Bahá'í prayers: The Guardian does not approve of such changes, either in the specific prayers or in any others. They should be read as printed without changing a single word."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, April 13, 1944: Bahá'í News, No. 171, November 1944, p. 3; in Lights of Guidance, no. 1495)

"In quoting prayers any part may be used, but should be quoted as it is, however short."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, November 19, 1945: Bahá'í News, No. 210, August 1948, p. 3; in Lights of Guidance, no. 1497)

Permissible to change gender of pronoun in prayer for the dead (because the prayer specifically allows for it); others are to be used as revealed[edit]

"We have your letter of 23 December 1966 asking whether it is permissible to change the gender of the pronoun in Bahá'í prayers for the dead when the deceased person is a woman.

"The prayer for the dead which is obligatory appears on page 260 of 'Prayers and Meditations'. This prayer allows for a change in gender.

"Other prayers for the dead are optional, but if used they are to be used as revealed."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, January 17, 1967; in Lights of Guidance, no. 660)

We/Our[edit]

When Baha'u'llah uses 'We', 'Our', etc., it is the regal form[edit]

"When Baha'u'llah uses the plural--'We', 'Our' etc.--He is merely using a form which is regal and has greater power than the singular 'I'. We have this same usage in English, when the King says 'we'. The Pope does the same thing."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, February 18, 1951; quoted in Lights of Guidance, no. 1554)

Tablets were brought into conformity with the grammatical conventions of the people[edit]

"QUESTION: Concerning disparities between certain revealed verses.

"ANSWER: Many Tablets were revealed and dispatched in their original form without being checked and reviewed. Consequently, as bidden, they were again read out in the Holy Presence, and brought into conformity with the grammatical conventions of the people in order to forestall the cavils of opponents of the Cause. Another reason for this practice is that the new style inaugurated by the Herald, may the souls of all else but Him be offered up for His sake, was seen to be marked by substantial latitude in adherence to the rules of grammar; sacred verses therefore were then revealed in a style which is for the most part in conformity with current usage for ease of understanding and concision of expression."

(Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Questions and Answers, no. 57)

To-dos for this page[edit]

Incorporate from https://bahai-library.com/uhj_sdc_capital_punishment#s1 and https://bahai-library.com/uhj_sdc_capital_punishment#s2
Further subcategorize section "Pronouns referring to the Manifestation or Master should be capitalized"
Incorporate quotes from https://bahai-library.com/compilation_masculine_gender_writings