For the Bakit* people in Northeast India, placing a phone call can be as difficult as climbing a mountain. Literally. “I need to climb up the mountain nearly 500 meters and get the network,” says Francis, a pastor in the Bakit community, explaining what it takes to get phone reception. Francis has gotten plenty of exercise placing those precious calls. Francis is one of the many Bible translators in Northeast India receiving support from Bible Society in India.
*pseudonym
*pseudonym
While translating the New Testament into his heart language of Bakit, Francis would call one of the Bible Society’s translation consultants whenever he got stuck on a difficult word. When it comes to equipping Bible translators in Northeast India, a telephone call is only the beginning. Bible Society of India, with the financial support of American Bible Society partners, provides translators with comprehensive support. That includes a consulting center, technological resources and continuing education.
“This region is so important for us because they are responding to the [message],” says Jonadob Nathaniel, head of translation for Bible Society of India. “Different communities keep coming and asking for the Bible.”
“This region is so important for us because they are responding to the [message],” says Jonadob Nathaniel, head of translation for Bible Society of India. “Different communities keep coming and asking for the Bible.”
Tools of the Trade
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To reach the 96 language groups scattered throughout Northeast India, Bible Society of India has established a centralized translation center in the city of Shillong, which boasts access to the internet and a stable electrical current — not a given in these rural hills.
“When there was no current, I used to write with my own hand and wait for the time when there was a current,” says Francis, describing how difficult it is to rely on the computer when translating the Bible in his rural village. With access to the internet, translators also can rely on a powerful translation application called ParaTExt, which displays multiple Scripture texts on the same screen and even suggests possible translations based on context. In addition to simplifying the translation process, ParaTExt makes completed translations more secure. With their new biblical texts stored safely in the Cloud — a third-party internet-based server — translators like Francis don’t have to worry about fires or floods sweeping away years of work. |
Scriptural Shop Class
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Bible translators in Northeast India also have started gathering for an annual training seminar to stay current on the latest technology and biblical studies. The seminar is presented by United Bible Societies and the Nida Institute of American Bible Society.
“The training is, first of all, to train the translators to read the original languages,” Jonadob says. He explains that without this basic training, it’s easy to misinterpret a biblical text. For example, he says, when Paul writes, “Beware those dogs,” in Philippians 3:2, he’s warning against false teachers, not rabid animals. 
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“You can visibly and tangibly see the transformation of their physical life.... This is the impact of the Gospel on people’s lives.”
The Bible Transforms Lives
As language groups in Northeast India engage with Scripture for the first time, people’s lives are changing. “Before we learned from other [dialects],” says Bible translator Gode. “But now we are reading ourselves, so we are very happy.” In 2007, Gode finished translating the New Testament into his heart language of Pumbran. Now he’s working on the Old Testament — a task his people are eager for him to complete. “In the New Testament, we learn that God sent his Son, Jesus Christ,” Gode says. “But without creating, how did God send [Him]? They want to know how God created His world....We want to know more about the whole Bible.”
Jonadob has seen God’s Word ignite this kind of spiritual transformation throughout Northeast India.
“The Bible Society is meeting the needs of these people ... especially the poor, exploited and oppressed,” Jonadob says. “You can visibly and tangibly see the transformation of their physical life. ... This is the impact of the Gospel on people’s lives.”
Jonadob has seen God’s Word ignite this kind of spiritual transformation throughout Northeast India.
“The Bible Society is meeting the needs of these people ... especially the poor, exploited and oppressed,” Jonadob says. “You can visibly and tangibly see the transformation of their physical life. ... This is the impact of the Gospel on people’s lives.”