Bible translation projects

Details

Created: Wednesday, 12 March 2014 17:53

Written by Super User

Bible translation remains the Bible Society of South Africa's core task as we work to ensure that all South Africans have access to the Bible in their preferred language.

The Bible Society is currently undertaking the following translation projects:

!Xun Bible translation

Approximately 4 000 San who speak !Xun live in Platfontein, near Kimberley in the Northern Cape. This group is primarily from Angola but they have lived in South Africa for more than 20 years. Furthermore, about 10 000 to 15 000 speakers of this language are still living in Angola and Namibia.

The group in Platfontein has a school, a church and a radio station, but not a Bible. Scripture reading is done from the Luchazi Bible (a language of Angola) and Afrikaans. The children, however, no longer understand Luchazi.

After thorough research, in co-operation with the Bible Societies of Namibia and Botswana, as well as other Bible translation agencies that operate in the areas where the San live, a decision was made that the Bible Society of South Africa would undertake the translation of the Bible into !Xun.

A translation team comprised of three members and a Review Committee of approximately 20 members started the translation in 2018. The three translators have already done separate draft translations (phases 1 and 2) of Genesis to Revelation. The Review Committee has reviewed Genesis to Numbers (phase 3).

Khwedam Bible translation

The South African government has also expressed a need to develop languages in the country, especially indigenous ones. Khwedam, spoken by some of the people in the Northern Cape, is one of these languages.

This translation will not only serve the people in the Northern Cape - much like our !Xun translation that started in 2018 - but also those further afield in Botswana and Namibia. After discussions with various Bible Societies and other Bible translation agencies, a decision was made that the Bible Society of South Africa would undertake the translation of the Bible into Khwedam.

This project was started in 2019 and the translators have already done draft translations (phases 1 and 2) of Genesis to Psalms. The Review Committee has reviewed Genesis 26-30 (phase 3).

Khelobedu Bible translation

There are some 500 000 people, living in parts of Limpopo, who speak Khelobedu and, currently, no printed Bible Portions are available in this language.

This project started in October 2021 and the six translators have already done draft translations of Matthew 1 to 7. The goal is to finalise the translation of the complete Bible by 2030.

TjiHlanganu Bible translation

TjiHlanganu is spoken in Mpumalanga. and, currently, no printed Bible Portions are available in this language.

This project started in October 2021 and the translation of Genesis 1 and John has been completed. The aim is to finalise the translation of the complete Bible by 2030.

How can you help?

Every R100 received will contribute towards Bible translation projects this year.


Make a difference. Be a sower of hope.

DIRECT PAYMENT

Bank: ABSA

Account number: 260 208 950

Acc No: 260 208 950

Branch Code: 632-005

* Please use reference code: 1595

 

Bibles for Shonas

Details

Created: Wednesday, 12 March 2014 17:53

Written by Super User

Bibles for Shonas

Objective

To make Bibles available to Shona-speaking people who reside in South Africa.

Background

• It is difficult to calculate how many Zimbabweans currently live in South Africa. Sources quote numbers that vary between one and three million.
• Approximately 70% of the Zimbabwean population is Shona-speaking and use it as their first language.
• It is very difficult for the Bible Society of South Africa to obtain sufficient stock at an affordable price from our sister society in Zimbabwe so as to meet the Bible needs of the Shona people living in South Africa.
• In 2017, 26 996 Shona Bibles were distributed in South Africa.
• Following negotiations we were granted permission to print these Bibles in South Africa for the Shona speakers in our country.
• Apart from the printing cost we also need to pay royalty fees for these Bibles. These fees will in turn help the struggling Bible Society of Zimbabwe with execution of their task in Zimbabwe.

Expected impact

• Shonas in South Africa who want to read the Bible in their mother tongue, will do so at an affordable price.

How can you help?

R565 000 is needed to meet the Bible needs of the Shona people residing in South Africa in 2018.


Make a difference. Be a sower of hope.

DIRECT PAYMENT

Bank: ABSA

Account number: 260 208 950

Acc No: 260 208 950

Branch Code: 632-005

* Please use reference code: 1538

CARD PAYMENT

• R 100  R 200  
• R 500  R 1 000  
• Give now

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