The Translation Beat

Bougainville is a large island with towering peaks that approach 9000 feet in elevation. Geologically, it is part of the Solomon Islands, but due to the vagaries of colonial politics in centuries past, Bougainville and several surrounding islands are a part of Papua New Guinea today. The region is home to an amazing diversity of peoples.

“Ah, Bah, Dah, ….” School children shouted out the Saposa alphabet as their teacher pointed to letters over the chalkboard. Then, after reading a few simple words aloud together, it was time for a writing exercise. Most Saposa people live on a group of small islands just off Bougainville’s northwestern coast.

Far to the east of Bougainville lies the Mortlock (Takuu) Atoll. Only a few bits of the ring-like reef protrude above the sea, but Polynesian sailors found this place long ago and made it into a home. Polynesian peoples live today on several atolls in the northern Solomons; three of these (Fead, Mortlock, and Tasman) are politically part of PNG.

Edmund and Kennedy are from the Tasman Atoll. With the assistance of their adviser, Sue, they have completed a draft of the New Testament using a computer program called Adapt-It and an already-completed translation in a related language. Sue also works with the Takuu people, who are also nearing completion of a first draft.

Nissan Island is another atoll. Unlike Mortlock, it is uplifted considerably out of the sea, forming an irregular, nearly complete ring of land. Around the outside of the island, jagged coral cliffs overlook the sea, which is tranquil here but sometimes slams these rocks with enough force to send plumes of water high above the cliffs and even the trees atop them.

The people of Nissan and nearby Pinipel speak a language called Nehan. They are not Polynesians; they are related to the people of Buka Island to the south. Rough coral rocks are abundant on Nissan, and islanders use them for the walls that protect precious food gardens from free-roaming pigs.

Chris is one of several Nehan speakers working to translate the New Testament. He uses a device called an Alphasmart to input information.

These men and women met to check a draft of Colossians for accuracy and clarity. This is one step in a whole series of checks and revisions designed to ensure a high-quality translation.

Elizabeth (right) is from the far southern tip of Bougainville itself. She and Margie are working on the translation for her Buin people. Because the women cannot live in the Buin region right now, they find that their work is proceeding slowly. Please pray that God will open doors for Margie and Elizabeth so that the Buin people will receive the Scriptures soon.