Boko (Benin) Bible (BQCSIM)

Overview

The Boko Bible was first translated between 1974 and 1990 by SIM missionary Ross Jones, working with Boko mother-tongue translators Levi and André, and was initially published in 1992. [1] SIM began missionary work among the Boko people in 1954. [1] The 2010 edition represented a thorough revision with an improved tonal system and simplified vocabulary — even a single verse like John 3:16 required ten tonal changes and two junction changes to reflect updated orthographic conventions. [1] Jones, who served under SIM for five decades and later earned a PhD in Linguistics from Monash University, noted that Boko is "one of the most concise languages of the world," producing a Bible of only 1,095 pages compared to 1,300 for a French edition. [1] Over 600 people attended the dedication celebration in Segbana marking the arrival of the revised Bible. [1] Today there are approximately 30 Boko churches and more than 2,000 Boko believers in Benin. [1]

Language and People

Boko (Benin) (ISO 639-3: bqc) is spoken by approximately 150,000 people in Benin. [Glottolog: boko1265]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by SIM.

Translators and Contributors

  • Ross Jones — SIM missionary, lead translator and reviser; PhD in Linguistics from Monash University [1]
  • Levi — Boko mother-tongue translator [1]
  • André — Boko mother-tongue translator [1]

References