The number of language programmes that Bible translation teams are working on has seen its biggest leap on record, with new programmes starting at a rate of one per day.
Also, Bibles and New Testaments have been launched at a rate of almost one per week.
Highlights from this past year include:
This is in the context of there being 7,388 languages in active use today.
A woman holding her copy of the Fanamaket New Testament, at the launch event in Papua New Guinea in November 2021 We rejoice with the people who now have the Bible or New Testament in their language, celebrating that they can read the Scriptures and fully understand them. Just think what a transformation that will bring to their communities!
But just as exciting is the increase in the number of languages that have portions of Scripture or where active translation work has begun. In 2022, 52 people groups have some portions of Scripture in their language for the first time. At the same time, work has begun in 367 languages. Both these figures are records for one year, and are indicative of the acceleration that is happening.
The number of new Bible translations in progress is on a rapidly increasing curve, meaning that in future years we will see the benefit as greater and greater numbers of New Testaments and Bibles are launched each year.
The increase in translated Bibles and New Testaments means a further 49 languages now have the Bible or New Testament in their language for the first time in 2022!*
All this means that God’s word is available to millions of people in their own languages for the first time.
The Ngbugu New Testament being presented to the people at the launch event in the Central African Republic (February 2022) It also means more individuals and communities are being transformed by the life-changing message of Jesus.
James Poole, Executive Director of Wycliffe, says: ‘Yet again we are so thankful to God for all he has done this year. During these past 12 months, we have seen the highest increases on record in terms of new translation work starting, meaning people will begin to read God’s word in their language.
‘This year, a Bible, a New Testament or a significant portion of the Scriptures has been made available in over 100 languages, which means that the people who speak these languages now have access to the transforming word of God in their language for the first time.’
‘Three-quarters of global Bible translation activity is linked to Wycliffe and our partner organisations. Thanks to our supporters, this year we have started work in more languages than in any previous year. This is all part of the increasing acceleration that is happening – and that will bear much fruit in the future. The day when almost all people have the Bible in their own language is getting closer.’
Graph of progress in Bible translation since 1800 The momentum is building, but there is still much to do. And we don’t want to see that momentum stall.
James continues: ‘This past year has seen such encouraging progress, and we rejoice with all those who have the Scriptures in their language for the first time. May their lives and communities be transformed by the power of God’s word!
‘However, despite this progress, the fact remains that 1 in 5 people still do not have access to the Bible in their language. That’s around 1.5 billion people. This is why translation teams across the world continue to work with urgency to put this right, and why we continue to support them in their work so that the desperate needs of those without can be met.’
Download the full State of the Bible 2022 report here.
Downloadable images are below.
Notes to Editors
1. For further information, call Sam Owen at the Wycliffe Communications team on 0300 303 1111 or sowen@wycliffe.org.uk.
2. Wycliffe Bible Translators seeks to create a world where everyone can know Jesus through the Bible. It does this through a range of activities, including Bible translation, literacy and Scripture use initiatives. Currently, Wycliffe has 360 people from the UK and Ireland serving 530 million people who speak 350 languages in 71 countries. Of the 7,300 or so languages spoken worldwide today, only 724 have the Bible. Around 1.5 billion people (1 in every 5 people) do not have the Bible in their language. As a result, translation of the Bible into people’s languages is one of the critical needs in world mission, to enable the growth of evangelism and discipleship ministries.
3. Wycliffe and its partner organisations are currently involved in about three-quarters of global Bible translation efforts.
4. Images. You can download the following images to accompany the press release, by clicking on the ‘Image’ link and then saving to your desktop. All images should be credited as follows: © 2022 Wycliffe Bible Translators.
4. A woman holds her Migaama New Testament at the launch event in Chad in December 2021.
8. Graph showing the progress of Bible translation since 1800.
