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October 2005

Translating the Bible for peoples of Muslim tradition

Of the 65 Bible translation projects which IBT is engaged in, more than half (35) are in languages spoken by people groups who are Muslim by tradition. This includes for instance the large Uzbek people (over 16 million), the 5 ½ million Tatars, who received their first New Testament in 2001, and the many smaller people groups of Dagestan, with populations numbering from a couple of thousand to half a million.

How does a Christian checker work with a Muslim translator? What is it like to be part of a Christian minority among a Muslim majority? How do we use Muslim religious terminology? What are the Muslim elements in the traditional cultures of peoples who live on the borders of the Muslim world but mainly profess the Christian faith? These were just some of the subjects discussed at a colloquium organized by IBT at St. Andrew’s monastery in Moscow 19-20 September 2005. More than 20 translators and checkers participated – from Chuvashia, Tatarstan, Kabardino-Balkaria, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, the Czech Republic, USA and Great Britain – representing IBT, SIL and CARS.

Sharing experiences and exchanging views turned out to be very productive and interesting to all the participants of the colloquium. A book with parallel passages from the Bible and the Quran, published by IBT especially for this event, was a pleasant and useful surprise to the participants.

Another question which was discussed at the colloquium was “which Bible books should be translated for a Muslim audience, and in what order?” As an example, a new book, recently published by IBT (done in cooperation with Pioneer Bible Translators) in the Crimean Tatar language, was presented. It is called “Prophets” and is the first book with Old Testament portions ever published in Crimean-Tatar. “Prophets” contains the stories of such persons in the Old Testament which are known both in Islam and in Christianity. Here are included selections from Genesis, Exodus, 1-2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, Daniel, Jonah and also some small portions from the New Testament.

Crimean Tatars reading this book will find the story of the creation of the world; of Adam, the first human being; how Noah built the ark; of God’s friend Abraham (whom Muslims call “Ibrahim”); of Joseph, who became the second most important person in Egypt; of Moses, who brought the Israelites out of slavery; of David’s victory over Goliath; of Solomon, who built the first temple; of Daniel in the lion’s den, and of Jonah being swallowed by the big fish.

The stories of each of these “prophets” (which righteous people in the Bible are called in Islam) are accompanied by excerpts from the New Testament, which help us to look at the lives of these people in a new way, and connect them with our own life.

We hope that this small book will make the Crimean-Tatar readers interested in the Holy Scriptures and prepare them for the full Bible, which is now being translated.

Project of the month

The Bible translation into Crimean Tatar is progressing very well, but funds are needed to continue the work. Please support this translation with your gift this month!

Thank you very much for your support!