Solomon Islands – many languages, many challenges

There are 66 living languages spoken in the 16 scattered island communities that make up the Solomon Islands (Ethnologue). Some are spoken by fewer than 100 people, but Varisi, with 6,000 speakers, is one of the stronger languages. Other recent Scripture launches have included the Lungga New Testament (see World Report 388/20). The largest language group without any Scripture in their own language, reports Dr Gross, is Kwaio, spoken by an estimated 10,600 people on Central Malaita Island. Work on the Kwaio New Testament has started under the initiative of Sydney-based Asia Evangelistic Fellowship, and the United Bible Societies is providing this project with a copy of the Bible translation software program Paratext. Old Testament translation projects are also planned or are already under way in at least nine languages. For most of these languages, the Old Testament work follows a New Testament translation carried out by the Solomon Islands Translation Advisory Group. Having received the New Testament, local churches are now keen to also have access to the Old Testament in their own language. (WR 392/22 - 04/5.05)