Bible translation to get a major boost

The Wycliffe Associates, a nonprofit organisation with its international headquarters in Texas, USA, is accelerating its efforts in translating Bible to all Indian langugages throughout India.

Recently, the ministry announced plans to build a new translation training center in the foothills of the Himalayas and join hands with ministries to translate and publish Bibles in vernacular languages.

In response to the need for more Bible translations, Bruce Smith, CEO and president of Wycliffe Associates, says the ministry is partnering with other Christian groups to accelerate translation efforts.

"We're partnering with a group called Word for All. They primarily train mother–tongue speakers, people in these language groups who don't have scripture," he explains. "... And our particular role in partnering with them is to provide technical and administrative support to help that group be effective in their work."

At least 180 languages in India, do not have a translation of the Bible, notes the Wycliffe Bible Translators, founded in 1942 by William Cameron Townsend.

"Many of the groups that are lower in the caste rankings are really disadvantaged ... not only politically and economically, but also in terms of their access to scripture. So these are some of the groups that still need scripture translation and still need training and education in ways that can assist them in that translation process," shared Smith.

According to the current estimation, it would at least take 90 years to put the Bible into all Indian languages. However, the new translation center claims to complete it by 19 years.