This paper analyses the translational strategies adopted by colonial missionaries for translating Christian content from Spanish into Zapotec under the concept of subversion in terms of their potential to impose both linguistic and social change in the target language and culture. The concept of subversion is understood here as the subversion of linguistic order with reality-generating consequences. On the other hand, it can be shown that terms and concepts that emerged from this kind of subversion were strategically used by the speakers of the target culture to present themselves as successfully colonised and good Christians, to assert their own goals in this way and thus to subvert colonial power relations by means of ‘subverted’ language use.