First Bible translation in Awadhi language completed by IBS

International Bible Society (IBS) has completed the first prose literature ever written in the Awadhi language by completing the first Awadhi translation of the Bible.

More than 50 native scholars in northern India worked for 12 years to accurately translate the language, style, and theology of the complete Bible into a language spoken by more than 20 million people.

On December 17, 2006, 1,500 people gathered at the Central Methodist Church in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh as Mayor Dinesh Sharma presented the first Awadhi translation of the Bible.

"It is a historic event that fulfills the dream of the Christian community to have the Word of God in their mother tongue after 2,000 years of Christianity," said Methodist Bishop (Dr.) S.R. Thomas at the gathering. "I am thankful to International Bible Society for undertaking the translation, which is a masterpiece."

IBS gave 1,200 copies on the day the Bible was released to those attending the celebration.

"Finally, God can talk to me in my language and I can talk to Him from my heart. I have been talking to Him in a borrowed language and that barrier is gone now," a native speaker who received a copy, said.

"It is the translation by the people of Awadhi and for the people of Awadhi," explained Michael Paul who coordinated the project, referring to the work of native Awadhi speakers in translating the Scriptures.

This IBS translation is the first Bible Awadhi speakers can read in their own language and the first piece of prose literature in the language, since for centuries the Awadhi language has been written only in poetic form. “Today, the Bible has become the text book for students of the Awadhi language in general," Paul said.

"Awadhi is a language that is spoken up in North India in the state of Uttar Pradesh. 20–million people speak that language. This is the first time the translation has been undertaken," said IBS's PLM Murthy. "The University in North India is using the Awadhi Bible as a text book for the learners of the Awadhi language. We did not anticipate this at all."

While persecution against Christians is increasing in India, the release of this Bible is not expected to incite violence. "Because the text was accepted by the Hindu intelligence and also the University, which stands for secularism, it has been well accepted. We have not seen any opposition whatsoever," Murthy explained, adding, “The Media has covered the event very widely. It appeared on the television and also several local newspapers."

IBS initially released the Awadhi New Testament in 1998 so its speakers could have a portion of Scripture while translation of the Old Testament continued. IBS currently provides Scriptures in more than 60 languages and has translation projects in 45 languages, including several languages where no Scripture is yet available.