Mengen New Testament (MEETBL)

Overview

The New Testament in the Mengen Language of Papua New Guinea. Mengen is an Austronesian language belonging to the Oceanic branch, classified within the Vitiaz group of the Western Oceanic linkage [1][2]. The language is spoken by approximately 15,000 Mengen and Poeng people living primarily in the Pomio district of East New Britain Province, around Jacquinot Bay and inland areas, as well as in parts of West New Britain Province along the Bismarck Sea coast [3]. Mengen and Poeng are considered divergent dialects of the same language [1]. The New Testament, titled "Piunga Ba Bonga A Pau" in Mengen, was first published in 2003 by Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc., with a web edition released in 2014 [4][5]. Bible portions in Mengen had been produced as early as 1997, laying groundwork for the completed New Testament [3]. The Mengen community is predominantly Christian, with approximately 99% identifying as Christian adherents [3].

Language and People

Mengen (ISO 639-3: mee) is spoken by approximately 8,400 people in Papua New Guinea, Map 12. [Glottolog: meng1267]

Publishing and Organizations

Created by Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc. Published by Wycliffe Bible Translators USA. Translation type: New.

References