"An examination of progress of the New Testament scripture translation into vernacular languages of Zaire from 1891 - 1990"

Abstract

A hundred years have passed since the first complete translation of the New Testament into one of the vernacular languages of Zaire was published. However, the position of the achievements as it stands today testifies to the fact that the progress in translations is not adequate and productive enough. ,This study was conducted in order to find out the real state of the progress, and the factors hampering this, progress. The findings have led to appropiate strategies which can be recommended as those likely to be most effective for promoting greater progress. After investigation among people by means of interviews and reading of some books and reports on translation, the findings revealed that 22 languages have the whole Bibles, and 21 additional New Testaments. Presently work is under way in 36 different languages. In some of these the completion of the work is uncertain. In 25 other languages the work has stopped with only some New Testament portions completed. The study has also revealed some hindrances to the progress. To these hindrances conducive strategies have been recommended.