UNITED BIBLE SOCIETIES Global Scripture Access Report
May 2014 1
1. Progress in 2013
In 2013 Bible Societies assisted in the completion of translations in 18 languages with the potential to impact over 15 million people.
This was ‘a first’ for eleven languages! Seven of these eleven languages now have a full Bible, two have New Testaments and two have portions. The remaining seven languages into which translations were completed in 2013 received new translations or revisions to help communicate God’s Word in a way that is more easily understood for people today. (See Appendix A for further details.)
Number of language speakers of completed translations (millions)
First translations 5.3
New translations 9.4
Revisions 1
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
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2. 100 Bibles in 1000 days
Hundreds of millions of people still don’t have access to a full Bible in their own language. And many people are waiting for new translations or revisions so they don’t have to struggle to understand translations that are decades, even centuries, old.
In 2013 United Bible Societies identified 100 full Bibles that could be completed by the end of 2015. These included 43 First translations, 27 New translations and 30 Revisions. By May 2014 over half of these have completed the translation stage with 15 published and a further 43 in pre- production or printing.
Translation Progress of 100 Bibles in 1000 Days
Published 15
Printing 6
Pre-production 37
In Translation 42
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
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3. Scripture Access Today
Scriptures Translated
United Bible Societies is committed to providing as many people as possible with the full Bible. Thankfully the number of full Bibles is increasing and digital technology is helping accelerate both the speed of translation and access to Scripture.
There are now over 500 languages with the full Bible and nearly 1,300 with the New Testament. But with over 4,000 languages that have no Scripture in their language at all, much work still remains to be done.
This graph shows the current state of Bible translation amongst the world’s languages.1
Number of languages with Scriptures
Bibles 511
Testaments 1295
No Scripture Portions 4455 844
1 These figures have been compiled from physical copies held in the Bible Library in Brazil (as reported in the Scripture Language Report 2013 - see Appendix B) plus other Scriptures that have been published but not yet sent to the Library. | Page 4
Scripture Access
Great strides have been made in the last year in the availability of Scriptures in electronic formats.
The Digital Bible Library™ In 2011 United Bible Societies (UBS) launched The Digital Bible Library™ project in partnership with other Bible Agencies and with the support of the Every Tribe Every Nation alliance. As of May 2014 The Digital Bible Library™ includes 800 Bibles, Testaments and portions in 636 languages.
Bible Search Bible Search is a search engine created by American Bible Society to take advantage of the growing global access to the internet to give people access to Scripture online. Bible Search now has 582 versions in 466 languages.
Digital Bible Library - Texts (800 total) 445 355
Bible Search - Versions (582 total) 392 190
Bible Search - Languages (466 total) 297 169
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 2013 Global Scripture Access Report 2014 Global Scripture Access Report
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4. Scripture Language Report
The Scripture Language Report details the contents of the physical Bible Library maintained in Sao Paulo by the Bible Society of Brazil. Translations that have been completed but have not been submitted to the library do not appear in the figures of the report. The library contains translations submitted by Bible Societies and by other Bible agencies.
Part A - Scripture Language Report 2013
Region Portions Testaments Bibles Bibles Total with DC* Africa 212 340 196 43 748 Asia 206 267 146 28 619 Oceania 135 273 40 10 448 Europe 110 41 63 51 214 North America 40 31 8 0 79 Caribbean, 98 305 37 12 440 Central & South America Constructed 2 0 1 0 3 Languages Total 2013 803 1257 491 144* 2551 Total 2012 810 1257 484 141* 2551 Change -7 - +7 +3 -
*Bibles with Deuterocanon included within the 491 Bibles total – this appears as a subcategory only
This table records the largest portion of Scripture for each language (Bible, Testament or Portion) that were received by the library in Brazil in 2013. While 7 full Bibles were received, the overall total remains unchanged from 2012 because no completely new languagues were received at the Bible Library last year. The figure for the number of languages with only portions is reduced by 7 because these languages now have the whole of the New Testament. The number of New Testaments remains unchanged overall because the 7 languages which now have the whole New Testament matches exactly the 7 languages which now have the full Bible (instead of just the New Testament). For the full report, please see Appendix B - Scripture Language Report 2013, prepared by the Bible Society of Brazil.
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“We are delighted that our Bible Library received seven first complete Bibles and seven first New Testaments in 2013. We pray that these new Scriptures will have a lasting spiritual impact in the lives of individuals and communities alike.
We are aware our physical Library is not complete. So we appeal to Bible Societies and our sister Bible translation agencies to send us new translations. Our mission is to preserve as complete a physical archive as possible of the book, which we believe, is the most significant book in the world.”
- Erní Seibert, Communications & Social Outreach Secretary, Bible Society of Brazil
To ensure the Bible Library has records of all languages, please send two copies of all new Bibles, New Testaments and portions to the address below (reprints of previous editions are not needed). Please include the description of the publication e.g. first, new or revised translation and the email address of a contact person for any queries.
Erní Walter Seibert, Sociedade Bíblica do Brasil, Av. Ceci, 706 Tamboré Barueri, SP 06460-120 Brazil
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Part B – Progress in the New Millennium
Since the turn of the new millennium, the Scripture Language Report shows global Bible Agencies’ progress in publications submitted to archives between 2000 and 2013:
108 Bibles
270 Testaments
290 Languages with Scripture for the first time
3000
2500 803 2000 891 Portions 1500 Testaments 1257 Bibles 1000 987
500 383 491 0 2000 2013
For further analysis of the Scripture Language Report 2000-2013, see Appendix C.
For further information please contact: Sarah Starrenburg [email protected] or Graham Baxter [email protected] United Bible Societies May 2014
The fellowship is incorporated as United Bible Societies, a corporation registered in the state of Delaware, USA, in 1946. The affairs of the fellowship are administered on its behalf by the United Bible Societies Association (UBSA) from its registered office at UBS UK Hub, Stonehill Green, Westlea, Swindon, SN5 7PJ, England. UBSA is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales no. 2264875. Registered charity no. 800058
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Appendix A In 2013 United Bible Societies assisted in the completion of Scriptures with the potential to reach over 15 million people
LANGUAGE COUNTRY TYPE SCOPE N0 OF SPEAKERS Toba Argentina First Bible 25,000 Krio Sierra Leone First Bible 495,000 Mandinka Gambia First Bible 1,346,000 Udmurt Russia First Bible 750,000 Kok Borok India First Bible 762,000 Shilluk South Sudan First Bible + DC 600,000 Murut Timugon Malaysia First Bible + DC 8,000 Chadian Arabic Chad First NT 1,139,100 Aimol India First NT 5,000 Altai Russia First Portion - Genesis 75,000 Tojolabal Mexico First Portion - Ruth & Esther 45,000 Fijian New Version Bible (Itaukei) Fiji New Bible 450,000 Sango Central African Rep. New Bible 404,000 Khualsim (Chin:Falam) Myanmar New NT 107,000 Mongolian China New NT (trial edition) 6,500,000 Slovenian Slovenia New Portions - Acts, 1 Pet, 2&3 John - pilot ed 1,900,000 Quechua de Ayacucho Peru Revision Bible 900,000 Zeme North Naga India Revision Bible 61,492 15,572,592
Appendix B: Scripture Language Report 2013 – prepared by Bible Society of Brazil for United Bible Societies
TABLE I: Summary
Continent or Region Portions Testaments Bibles Bibles+DC* Total
Africa 212 340 196 (43) 748
Asia 206 267 146 (28) 619 Australia/New Zealand/Pacific Islands 135 273 40 (10) 448
Europe 110 41 63 (51) 214
North America/Mexico 40 31 8 (0) 79
Caribbean Islands/Central America/South America 98 305 37 (12) 440
Constructed Languages 2 0 1 (0) 3
TOTAL 803 1257 491 144 2551
*Bibles with Deuterocanon
TABLE III: ADDITIONAL BOOKS IN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED LANGUAGES
A. Complete Bibles first reported
LANGUAGE PORTIONS COUNTRY BOOKS VERSION PUBLISHER DATE Obolo NT: 1991 Nigeria Bible WBT Wycliffe Bible Translators 2012 Ndebele NT:1986 South Africa Bible BSSA Bible Society of South Africa (UBS) 2012 Anuak NT:1965 Ethiopia Bible BSE Bible Society of Ethiopia (UBS) 2013 Krio NT:1992 Sierra Leone Bible BSSL Bible Society in Sierra Leone (UBS) 2013 Mambwe-Lungu NT :1991 Zambia Bible BSZ Bible Society of Zambia (UBS) 2013 Fon NT: 1994 Benin Bible ABB L'Alliance Biblique du Benin (UBS) 2013 Dioula (Jula) NT: 1997 Cote d'Ivoire Bible WBT Wycliffe Bible Translators 2013
B. New Testament first reported
LANGUAGE PORTIONS COUNTRY BOOKS VERSION PUBLISHER DATE Oku Portions:1999 Cameroon New Testament OneBook OneBook 2012 Quechua,Eastern Apurimac Portions: 1974 Peru New Testament WBT Wycliffe Bible Translators 2013 Hdi Portions: 2005 Cameroon New Testament WBT Wycliffe Bible Translators 2013 Wapishana Portions: 1998 Guyana New Testament Suriname Bible Society Suriname Bible Society (UBS) 2012 Muyang (Muy) Portions: 2009 Cameroon New Testament WBT Wycliffe Bible Translators 2013 Belize Kriol Portions: 1999 Belize New Testament WBT Wycliffe Bible Translators 2012 Mwani (Kimwani) Portions: 2006 Mozambique New Testament WBT Wycliffe Bible Translators 2013
C. Bibles with Deuterocanon LANGUAGE COUNTRY BOOKS VERSION PUBLISHER DATE Bible Society of South Afrikaans Bible: 2000 South Africa Bible+ DC Africa Bible Society of South Africa (UBS) 2013 Aymara Bible : Bolivia Bible+ DC Bible Society of Bolivia Bible Society of Bolivia (UBS) 2013 L'Alliance Biblique du Fon NT: 1994 Benin Bible + DC Benin L'Alliance Biblique du Benin (UBS) 2013
D. Additional portions reported for the first time
LANGUAGE PORTIONS COUNTRY BOOKS VERSION PUBLISHER DATE Tabassaran NT : 2010 Russia Ruth, Jonah IBT Institute for Bible Translation 2013 Kalmyk NT:2002; Gn+Ru:2005; Ps:2006 Russian Proverbs IBT Institute for Bible Translation 2013 Calon Chibi Portions:1837 Brazil Ruth Bible Society of Brazil Bible Society of Brazil (UBS) 2013 Dargwa (Dargin) Mk:2002; Lk 2011 Russian Matthew IBT Institute for Bible Translation 2013
TABLE IV: NEW OR REVISED VERSIONS IN PREVIOUSLY RECORDED LANGUAGES
LANGUAGE NOTE COUNTRY BOOKS VERSION PUBLISHER DATE Reina Valera Spanish Bible: 1553 Spain Bible Contemporánea United Bible Societies 2013 Bible Society of South Tswana Bible : 1993 South Africa Bible Africa Bible Society of South Africa (UBS) 2012 Bible Society of South Sotho,Southern Bible: 1989 South Africa Bible Africa Bible Society of South Africa (UBS) 2012 New Zealand Bible Samoan Bible :1970 New Zealand Bible Society New Zealand Bible Society (UBS) 2013 Bible Society of South English Bible : 1382 South Africa Bible Africa Bible Society of South Africa (UBS) 2012 Lao Bible: 1932 Laos New Testament United Bible Societies United Bible Societies 2013 Bible Society of South Tsonga Bible : 1907 South Africa Bible Africa Bible Society of South Africa (UBS) 2012 Bible Society of South Northern Sotho Bible : 2000 South Africa Bible Africa Bible Society of South Africa (UBS) 2012 Yoruba Bible :2006 Nigeria Bible Bible Society of Nigeria Bible Society of Nigeria (UBS) 2013 Bible Society in Khmer Bible : 1998 Cambodia Bible Cambodia Bible Society in Cambodia (UBS) 2012 L'Alliance Biblique du L'Alliance Biblique du Cameroon Ewondo NT: 1962 Cameroon New Testament Cameroon (UBS) 2012 Dimasa NT: 2005 India NT,Psalms & Proverbs Bible Society of India Bible Society of India (USB) 2011 Molsom India New Testament Bible Society of India Bible Society of India (USB) 2012 Naga,Poumai NT: 1992 India New Testament Bible Society of India Bible Society of India (USB) 2012 Gangte Bible : 1991 India Bible Bible Society of India Bible Society of India (USB) 2012 Bible Society of South Zulu Bible: 1959 South Africa Bible Africa Bible Society of South Africa (UBS) 2012 Bible: contemporary Spanish Bible: 1553 Spain Spanish edition Bible Society in Spain Bible Society in Spain (UBS) 2009 Quechua de Ayacucho Bible: 2011 Peru Bible Sociedad Bíblica Peruana Sociedad Bíblica Peruana (UBS) 2012 Tumbuka Bible: 1980 Zambia Bible Bible Society of Zambia Bible Society of Zambia (UBS) 2013 Wycliffe Bible Nafaanra NT: 1984 Ghana New Testament Translators Wycliffe Bible Translators 2013
Dagbani Bible: 2007 Ghana Bible Bible Society of Ghana Bible Society of Ghana (UBS) 2013 Aymara Bible : Bolivia Bible Bible Society of Bolivia Bible Society of Bolivia (UBS) 2013 Bible Society of South English Bible : 2002 South Africa Bible Africa Bible Society of South Africa (UBS) 2013 Bible Society of South Sepedi Bible : 1904 South Africa Bible Africa Bible Society of South Africa (UBS) 2013 Arabic Egypt Bible NVI Zondervan Zondervan 2013 Tyndale House Arabic Egypt Bible Publishers Tyndale House Publishers 2013 Bomu Bible : 2005 Mali Bible Alliance Biblique au Mali Alliance Biblique au Mali (UBS) 2013 French France Bible Universal Biblical Covenant Universal Biblical Covenant 2013 Alliance Biblique du Arabic Chadian NT: 1991 Chad New Testament Chad Alliance Biblique du Chad (UBS) 2012 Asante Twi ( Akan) Bible : 1964 Ghana Bible Bible Society of Ghana Bible Society of Ghana (UBS) 2013 Ga Bible : 1997 Ghana Bible Bible Society of Ghana Bible Society of Ghana (UBS) 2012 New Ewe Bible : 2011 Ghana Bible Bible Society of Ghana Bible Society of Ghana (UBS) 2013 Sar NT: 1986 Chad Bible L'Alliance Biblique du Chad Alliance Biblique du Chad (UBS) Nanai and Russian Portions : 2002 Russia Portions IBT Institute for Bible Translation 2012 Chechen NT: 2007 Russia Bible IBT Institute for Bible Translation 2012 Itelmen and Russian Russia Luke IBT Institute for Bible Translation 2013 Evenki and Russian Portions : 2002 Russia Luke IBT Institute for Bible Translation 2013
Appendix C: Scripture Language Report Statistics in Review 2000 - 2013
Bibles 500
491 484 450 469 475 459 451 438 429 422 426 400 414 405 392 383 350 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Testaments 1300 1250 1200 1257 1257 1231 1240 1150 1213 1185 1100 1146 1150 1050 1115 1079 1000 1069 1034 1012 950 987 900 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Languages with Scripture 2600 2550 2500 2551 2551 2527 2538 2508 2450 2479 2400 2454 2426 2350 2403 2377 2300 2355 2303 2250 2287 2261 2200 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013