The Book of Jonah in Kitja (GIABSA)
Overview
The Book of Jonah in Kitja (Jawunany) is a single-book scripture portion translated into the Kija language and published by the Bible Society of Australia in 1978. [1] [2] Kija (also spelled Gija, Gidja, or Kitja) is an endangered Australian Aboriginal language of the Jarragan (non-Pama-Nyungan) family, spoken by approximately 100-200 people in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia, in the area from Halls Creek to Kununurra. [3] The translation work on Kitja scriptures was conducted between October 1977 and June 1991, involving correspondence with linguists and translators including Wilf Douglas, Euan Fry, Charles Cook, Peter Taylor, and Heather McDonald. [4] The Book of Jonah was one of the earliest products of this translation effort. Kija is no longer acquired as a first language by younger generations, who largely speak Kimberley Kriol, though community members are actively engaged in language revitalization efforts. [3]
References
- [1] Kitja (archived) - Australian Bibles page on Kitja scripture resources.
- [3] Gija (East Kimberley, Western Australia) - Language Snapshot (archived) - Language Documentation and Description article on Gija language status.
- [4] Bible Society in Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Translation Files (archived) - AIATSIS catalogue of Bible Society translation correspondence including Kitja.
Language and People
Kija (ISO 639-3: gia) is spoken by approximately 170 people in Northern Australia. [Glottolog: kitj1240]
References
- Global Bible Catalogue - Global Bible Catalogue entry.
- ebible.org entry - ebible.org.