Edolo Bible (ETRTBL)

Overview

The Edolo Bible contains Ruth and New Testament portions in the Edolo language, a Trans-New Guinea language of the Bosavi family spoken by approximately 1,500 to 2,000 people in the Southern Highlands and Hela Provinces of Papua New Guinea [1][2]. Translation work among the Edolo people was begun in 1990 by Jan and Debbie Gossner, who have served with Wycliffe Bible Translators since 1989 [3]. Jan Gossner produced a grammar of the Edolo language for his M.A. thesis in 1994, along with subsequent phonological studies and a dialect survey through SIL [4]. The Gossners served overseas in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands from 1989 to 2013, then returned to full-time Edolo translation work in 2019, making yearly five-month trips from Montana to PNG to collaborate with local Edolo translators [3]. As of 2025, 100% of the New Testament exists in first draft form and 90% has completed advisor review, with the project approaching completion [3].

Language and People

Edolo (ISO 639-3: etr) is spoken by approximately 1,670 people in Papua New Guinea, Map 8. [Glottolog: edol1239]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by WBT, Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea.

References