‘Mother of modern Bible translation’ dies
Lydia Houghton
Wycliffe Bible Translators has paid tribute to one of its long-serving missionaries who has died at 87.
Dr Katharine “Katy” Barnwell served with Wycliffe for over 60 years. Barnwell pioneered locally-led Bible translation: after helping to see the New Testament published in the Mbembe language in 1985, she found that the Mbembe people wanted more translation – the Old Testament as well as translation into other Mbembe dialects – and so concluded that the best way to do this was to get some Mbembe speakers trained. “And so began the revolution in training local Bible translators that has led to the huge growth in Bible translation today,” says Wycliffe Bible Translators. Barnwell’s textbook Bible Translation: An Introductory Course in Translation Principles – first published in 1975 and now in its fourth edition – is the primary training resource for Bible translators worldwide.
‘Remarkable’ Bible translation progress
Wycliffe Bible Translators
Imagine being in rural Kenya last March, where the Upper Pokomo people gathered in eager anticipation. After years of waiting, a joyous procession arrived carrying boxes wrapped like precious gifts. Inside lay something more valuable than gold: the New Testament in the Upper Pokomo language.
As the packages were opened, singing and dancing broke out. Then, for the very first time, God’s word was read aloud in the Upper Pokomo language. The moment was unforgettable. The Scriptures were no longer distant for the Upper Pokomo people, but they could finally hear God speak directly to them in the language they dream in, laugh in, and cry in.
Malawi: Celebrations as Lambya Bible launched
Lydia Houghton
In the northern Malawian town of Chitipa, thousands gathered to celebrate the launch of the first complete Lambya Bible.
The culmination of a 21-year translation effort, the Bible was formally dedicated and presented to the community during a five-hour programme of music, dancing, singers and even acrobats. Attendees were reportedly visibly joyful as many received one of the first 1,000 copies to be distributed.
Tyndale: 500 years of God's Word in the language of the everyman
What do you celebrate in life? What milestones and anniversaries make their way onto your family and social calendars?
These tend to be the moments that mark our lives, that testify to the special moments we long to recall and remember; for others to reflect on after our time on Earth is done. The anniversaries and moments that form our life’s legacy in this world.