Incredible growth in Scripture translation
Over five centuries ago, Johann Gutenberg issued the first book printed from moveable type – a beautifully executed folio-size Latin Bible. Since that time, complete books of the Bible have been produced by various agencies, and there are now over 2,370 languages in which at least one book of the Bible has been published. Although this figure represents less than half of the languages and dialects presently in use in the world, it nonetheless includes the primary vehicles of communication of well over 90% of the world’s population.
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Languages in which Scriptures are available |
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This graph shows the incredible increase in the number of languages in which Scriptures have been published over the last two hundred years.
In this graph, Testaments refers to languages in which just the New or Old Testament is available. Portions refer to languages in which at least one book of the Bible has been published.
At the start of the nineteenth century, Scriptures were available in just 68 languages. Today, Scriptures are available in no less than 2,403 languages, with the complete Bible having been translated into at least 426 languages, and the New Testament into some 1,115. In addition, parts of the Bible (Portions) have been made available in a further 862 languages.Back to main Translations page
