Plain English Version (ENGPEV)

Overview

The Plain English Version (PEV) is an English translation of the Bible created specifically for Indigenous Australians whose mother tongue is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander language and who use English as a second language [1][2]. The project began in 2003 as a collaboration between Bible League Australia, retired Wycliffe translators, and AuSIL (Australian Society for Indigenous Languages) [1][2]. The PEV follows a meaning-based translation principle and uses linguistic features common to most Australian Aboriginal languages: it avoids passive voice, replaces abstract nouns with verbs and adjectives, and uses shorter sentences conforming to Indigenous grammatical patterns [1][3]. Dave Glasgow leads the translation effort, with support from Kathy Dadd of AuSIL who assists Indigenous translators with their own language Bible translations [3]. As of 2024, approximately 25% of the PEV Bible has been translated, and several books have been published in printed form by Bible League, including a mini-Bible containing roughly 70% of the New Testament plus portions of Genesis and 1 and 2 Samuel [1][3]. Every PEV Bible is provided free of charge to Indigenous individuals, churches, and communities in Australia [1].

Language and People

English (ISO 639-3: eng) is spoken by approximately 379,000,000 people. [Glottolog: stan1293]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by Wycliffe Bible Translators USA. Translation type: New.

References