Hinsaal New Testament — Gelik (Patpatar) New Testament (Papua New Guinea)
Overview
No Tahut na Hinhinawas (approximately "The Good Message/News") is the complete New Testament in the Patpatar language of New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, published by Wycliffe Bible Translators (WBT) and available via YouVersion/Bible.com (ID 3277; abbreviation: GFKH). The project title Hinsaal (also the name used on STEPBible) reflects a local place-name or community designation. The community's autonym Gelik is distinct from the scholarly name Patpatar. Patpatar (ISO 639-3: gfk) is an Austronesian language of the Meso-Melanesian branch, spoken on the eastern coast of New Ireland Island.
Language and People
Patpatar (ISO 639-3: gfk; autonym: Gelik) is an Austronesian language: Austronesian → Malayo-Polynesian → Oceanic → Western Oceanic → Meso-Melanesian → New Ireland branch. New Ireland Province hosts a remarkable concentration of small Oceanic languages across its elongated island chain; Patpatar is one of several languages on New Ireland's eastern coast, related to Nalik, Tigak, and Kara.
The Patpatar community inhabits:
- Eastern coast of New Ireland Island, New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea — specifically the Namatanai District area
Estimated speakers: approximately 15,000–20,000 (Ethnologue data for Patpatar/Gelik).
Cultural Context
New Ireland Island has been home to United Methodist (then United Church) and Catholic mission activity since the late 19th century. The Patpatar NT represents Wycliffe's long-term investment in New Ireland Province, which hosts numerous small Oceanic language communities each with their own distinct linguistic heritage.
Publishing and Organizations
Published by Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc. (wycliffe.org), a leading international Bible translation organization. Also available on PNG.Bible and STEPBible (version code: GFK).