First native Bible translation for three million Tanzanians

Three million people in the highlands of the east African country of Tanzania will receive Scriptures in their own language for the first time by autumn next year, a Bible translation ministry recently announced.

Wycliffe Associates is funding a programme that is simultaneously translating ten languages for the people that live in the rugged western part of the country called Mbeya. Previously, the millions that live in the area were forced to understand the Scripture in Swahili or, with even greater difficulty, in English. Although about 78 per cent of the population in Mbeya is literate, they can only read Swahili at a functional level to survive in society.

The Mbeya Cluster project is an ambitious effort that combines ten language translation projects into one that will expand literacy in the languages of Bena, Bungu, Kinga, Malila, Ndali, Nyakyusa, Nyiha, Safwa, Sangu and Wanji.

One local man living in a remote area 1.5 miles up in the mountains and 74.5 miles from Mbeya said it was "so good” when he heard the Scripture for the first time in his own speaking language.

For years, he and his people struggled to understand the Word of God in Swahili or English.

In Mbeya, as in other parts of Tanzania, the various distinct languages have enough characteristics in common that it is possible to translate multiple languages at the same time.

In addition to allowing Mbeya people groups to read the Bible in their own languages, Bible translators also hope to help preserve these minority languages and ensure their survival amid the dominant language of Swahili.

“This has a huge and positive impact on a culture, both spiritually and intellectually,” said Bruce Smith, president and chief executive of Wycliffe Associates.

“When a larger and nationalised language like Swahili is bearing down on a people group with a different language and identity, that group tends to have its importance in society diminished; and subsequently, their spiritual journey stunted,” he explained.

The Mbeya project will be carried out by translation teams made up of missionaries and nationals. National translators, working together with a translation advisers, are able to translate the Scripture faster because they have heard the various languages since childhood and can easily work out the nuances of the languages.

The project is already underway in Tanzania with some 30 full-time workers and another 50 part-timers all working on the multiple translations.

Wycliffe Associate partners will fund the entire project with the goal to finish by September 2009.

Wycliffe Associates have sent some 1,693 volunteers in 2008 alone to serve in 35 countries as part of the worldwide Bible translation team. The volunteers help build and renovate facilities, construct roads and airstrips, teach Vacation Bible School, help with language development and office work, oversee projects, and use their computer skills in various ways.