Bolinao New Testament (SMKWBT)

Overview

The Bolinao New Testament, titled Si Biblia, was published in 2012 by Wycliffe Bible Translators after more than 30 years of translation work [1]. Bolinao (also called Binubolinao) is a Sambalic language of the Central Luzon branch of the Austronesian family, spoken by approximately 50,000 people in the coastal municipalities of Bolinao and Anda in Pangasinan province, making it the second most widely spoken Sambalic language [2][3]. The translation project was initiated in the late 1970s when American linguists Gary and Diane Persons, working for Wycliffe Bible Translators, were assigned to the Philippine Summer Institute of Linguistics; the couple arrived in the Philippines in 1977 and began learning Bolinao in 1978 by living in the community [1]. The translation team used original Greek scriptures as their primary reference and was assisted by local collaborators Rhoda Carolino and Emerita Caasi, as well as Nery Zamora of the Philippine Bible Society [1][4]. Diane Persons died in a vehicular accident before the translation was completed, and collaborator Carolino also passed away during the project [1]. The completed Bible was officially dedicated on October 29, 2012 in Anda and October 30, 2012 in Bolinao, with Gary Persons addressing the crowds in Bolinao [4]. The translation is valued not only as Scripture but also as a contribution to the preservation of the Bolinao language, which has been increasingly displaced by Ilocano and Tagalog [1].

Language and People

Bolinao (ISO 639-3: smk) is spoken by approximately 51,200 people in Northern Philippines. [Glottolog: boli1256]

Publishing and Organizations

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

References