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Fast tracking the gospel through heart languages
Technology is speeding up the process for translating the Bible
into native languages of Papua New Guinea. Try reading a
translated verse here.
MAF Technologies IT officer, Ishmael Doroware, Installing translations software’s into the Wycliffe Tablets prior distribution.
Communities in Papua New Guinea are receiving the Bible in their heart language for the
first time, thanks to innovations that are speeding up the work of Bible translators.
This exciting new era means that MAF Technologies can help organisations like Wycliffe
Associates by updating software and apps on their computers and mobile phones that
translators use in their work.
MAF Technologies Ministry Partnership officer Caine Ruruk revealed that so far MAF
Technologies has supplied over four hundred translation kits to Wycliffe translation teams
across the country, allowing them to translate various local language Bibles.
“Basically, for MAF Technologies, we are helping in fast tracking the process of Bible
Translations by lending hands to the Bible translators through supplying appropriate
Technology for National Translators or (TNTs) for efficient and accurate Bible translations,”
he said.
MAF Technologies, based in Goroka, is known to be the Asia Pacific region’s sole media
centre that sells audio Bible device. MAF Technologies has Bible programs that are already translated into multiple heart languages as audio versions.
MAF Tech IT officers David. I and Ishmael. D, installing softwares into wycliffe tablets.
With the initiative, many people who only speak local languages, are blessed to listen to
God’s word. The audio Bibles also reach people who are unable to read.
Thompson Luke, a spokesman from the Kenain village in the Simbai area of Madang
Province said that the initiative has enabled many older people who do not understand
English and Tok Pisin to hear the word of God in their heart language via audio Bibles.
“Even though many of our elderly individuals are illiterate, they are fortunate to hear God’s
word through translations of our native Kalam language via audio Bibles. And we see that it
has strengthened their faith as they listen to and meditate on God’s word daily,” Luke said.
Meanwhile, Wycliffe Associates Highlands Regional Coordinator, Misson Ayabe, reveals that
seven (7) translation projects in PNG were successfully completed in a considerably faster
and shorter period of time. “One of the notable achievements is the completion of our Tok
Pisin Unlocked Literal Bible (ULB) version project which began in 2018 and was completed 2019. Its completion as a gateway language serves as a pivotal source text for ongoing and
subsequent mother tongue translation projects in PNG,” he said.
Working under the guidance and authority of local churches, Bible translation organisations
such as Papua New Guinea Bible Translation Association (PNGBTA), Summer Institute of
Linguistics International (SIL) and Wycliffe Associates liaise with MAF Technologies to create
a pathway for the gospel to reach thousands of lives. Through the use of modern technologies, the work of translating the Bible into PNG’s many heart languages is being completed at a faster pace.
Newly purchased Wycliffe Associates tablets for translations.
Why not try reading this famous verse, John 3:16 in the Kalam language of Simbai in PNG’s Madang Province.
John 3:16, in Simbai (kalam) Language, Madang Province.
Gor biynimb mankumb biy maŋgiysek wasemb ay, Ñinuk nokom yimb ak kuyip nen aŋgiy yokek owak ak mey; biynimb nup gosimb niŋniŋgambay gok, kumiy ma kurginiŋgambay; nuk yip perper mindeniŋgambay.