By Jeremy Reynalds
Wycliffe Bible Translators has announced new statistics showing dramatic progress in Bible translation efforts around the world.
There are now 2,075 Scripture translation projects in progress and just 1,967 languages still in need for a translation project to begin, according to Wycliffe.
“These statistics are very important in showing progress toward our goal of seeing a Bible translation in progress in every language community needing it by 2025,” said Bob Creson, president of Wycliffe USA.
An estimated 5.4 billion people now have access to some of the Bible in their first language. The languages that may have a need for Bible translation to begin represent an estimated 209 million people worldwide. The 1,967 languages still in need of a Bible translation represent less than 29 percent of the estimated 6,800 languages spoken around the world.
“Every generation before us has seen the numbers increasing as more and more languages were discovered, and more translation needs were verified,” Creson said. “Now that trend has been reversed.”
New technologies and strategies have helped expedite the process of translation – which often involves working in partnership with local communities to create a written form of the language. By using new creative approaches (team-based approaches that employ computer and satellite technology), Wycliffe, along with partners, has been able to translate the Bible more efficiently.
The majority of the remaining translation needs represent minority languages comprising relatively small people groups, according to Wycliffe. — ASSIST News
