Bible translations into Indigenous Australian languages facts for kids
Bible translations into Indigenous Australian languages date back to the 1800s, when missionaries translated the Bible into several Aboriginal languages. The practice has continued into the 20th and 21st centuries, with Australian Kriol becoming the first Australian language to have a complete Bible translation (completed in 2019).
By language
Currently, 54 Indigenous Australian languages, including two creoles and Plain English (intended to be easy for non-native English speakers in Indigenous Australian communities to understand). Several have a complete New Testament, but only one (Kriol) has a complete Bible with both the Old and New Testaments.
Aboriginal languages
Language | State/territory | Status |
---|---|---|
Adnyamathanha | Northern Territory | Portions completed |
Alawa | Northern Territory | Portions completed |
Alyawarr | Northern Territory | Portions completed |
Anindilyakwa | Northern Territory | Portions completed |
Anmatyerr | Northern Territory | Portions completed |
Awabakal | New South Wales | Portions completed |
Burarra | Northern Territory | New Testament completed |
Dhuwa-Dhaŋu'mi | Northern Territory | Portions completed |
Dhuwaya | Northern Territory | Portions completed |
Dieri | Northern Territory | New Testament completed |
Djambarrpuyŋu | Northern Territory | New Testament completed |
Djinang | Northern Territory | Portions completed |
Eastern Arrernte | Northern Territory | New Testament and portions of Old Testament completed |
Gälpu | Northern Territory | Translation started |
Gamilaraay | New South Wales | Portions completed |
Garrwa | Northern Territory | Portions completed |
Gumatj | Northern Territory | New Testament and portions of Old Testament completed |
Gupapuyŋu | Northern Territory | Translation started |
Gurindji | Northern Territory | Portions completed |
Guugu Yimidhirr | Queensland | Portions completed |
Kitja | Western Australia | Portions completed |
Kriol | Northern Territory Western Australia |
Bible completed |
Kukatja | Western Australia | Portions completed |
Kuku-Yalanji | Queensland | New Testament and portions of Old Testament completed |
Kunbarlang | Northern Territory | Portions completed |
Kuninjku | Northern Territory | Portions completed |
Kunjen | Western Australia | Portions completed |
Kunwinjku | Northern Territory | New Testament and portions of Old Testament completed |
Martu Wangka | Western Australia | Portions completed |
Mawng | Northern Territory | Portions completed |
Murrinhpatha | Northern Territory | Portions completed |
Ndjébbana | Northern Territory | Portions completed |
Ngaanyatjara | Western Australia | New Testament completed |
Ngarrindjeri | South Australia | Portions completed |
Nyangumarta | Western Australia | Portions completed |
Nyungar | Western Australia | Portions completed |
Pintupi-Luritja | Northern Territory | New Testament and portions of Old Testament completed |
Pitjantjatjara | Northern Territory South Australia |
New Testament and portions of Old Testament completed |
Plain English | Nationwide | Portions completed |
Rembarrnga | Northern Territory | Portions completed |
Thayore | Queensland | Portions completed |
Tiwi | Northern Territory | Portions completed |
Walmajarri | Western Australia | Portions completed |
Wangurri | Northern Territory | Portions completed |
Warlpiri | Northern Territory | New Testament and portions of Old Testament completed |
Western Arrarnta | Northern Territory | New Testament and portions of Old Testament completed |
Wik-Mungkan | Queensland | Portions completed |
Worrorra | Western Australia | Portions completed |
Wubuy | Northern Territory | New Testament and portions of Old Testament completed |
Yanyuwa | Northern Territory | Portions completed |
Yindjibarndi | Western Australia | Portions completed |
Torres Strait Islander languages
Language | Status |
---|---|
Kala Lagaw Ya | Portions completed |
Meriam Mir | Portions completed |
Torres Strait Creole | New Testament and portions of Old Testament completed |
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Bible translations into Indigenous Australian languages Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.