The Bantoanon Bible (BNOWBT)
Overview
Bantoanon (also known as Asi) is a regional Visayan language of Romblon Province in the central Philippines, originating on the island of Banton and spoken across the neighboring islands of Sibale, Simara, and parts of Tablas Island. [1] The translation was dedicated on April 6, 2017, completing a 35-year project led by Wycliffe translator Heather Kilgour Crossley, who revised all translated books in the final two years and prepared them for publication with introductions, maps, pictures, and a glossary. [2] The published edition includes the New Testament together with Genesis and Exodus, and was accompanied by a full audio recording of those texts plus 180 hymns and choruses. [2] More than 80 community members — including translation assistants, voice actors, singers, and dictionary workers — received certificates of appreciation at the dedication ceremony. [2] The vernacular title, Bag-ong Kasuyatan, reflects the language's Bisayan roots, and SIL International has also supported related linguistic work including an Asi dictionary. [1]
Language and People
Bantoanon (ISO 639-3: bno) is spoken by approximately 75,000 people in Southern Philippines. [Glottolog: bant1288]
Publishing and Organizations
Published by Wycliffe Bible Translators USA.
References
- [1] Bantoanon language - Wikipedia - Wikipedia, 2024. Overview of the Bantoanon/Asi language, its geographic spread, and linguistic classification.
- [2] Celebrating a 35-year translation project: the Bantoanon/Asi New Testament (archived) - Wycliffe Australia. Account of the 2017 dedication, translators, and project scope.
- Audio Bible - Audio Bible, Faith Comes By Hearing
- Audio Bible - Audio Bible, Faith Comes By Hearing
- Bag-ong Kasuyatan - Online text, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc.
- Bible For Developers - DBL archive entry, Digital Bible Library
- Rosetta Project: Bantoanon Genesis - Internet Archive / Rosetta Project. Genesis in Bantoanon.
- Global Bible Catalogue - Global Bible Catalogue entry.
- ebible.org entry - ebible.org.