New Testament in the Ulithian (ULIBSM)

Overview

The Bogtag we ye Tefoy is a New Testament translation in the Ulithian language, published in 1995 by the Bible Society of Micronesia under the auspices of the United Bible Societies. [1] Ulithi is a remote coral atoll in the western Caroline Islands, part of the Outer Islands of Yap State in the Federated States of Micronesia. [2] The atoll consists of approximately 40 islets (four inhabited) surrounding one of the largest lagoons in the world, with a total land area of only 4.5 square kilometers. [2] The translation provides Scripture access to a small but culturally distinct Micronesian community whose traditional religion had largely given way to Christianity (predominantly Roman Catholicism) by the mid-twentieth century. [2] As of recent reports, a retired Ulithian teacher has been working on an Old Testament translation to complement this New Testament. [3]

Language and People

Ulithian (ISO 639-3: uli) is a Micronesian language closely related to Woleaian and Satawalese, spoken mainly on Ulithi Atoll and neighboring islands in the eastern Caroline Islands. [4] Speaker estimates have varied from around 1,000 (2002) to 3,000, reflecting both the small population and migration to Yap proper. [4] Ulithian is one of the official languages of the Federated States of Micronesia. [4] Traditional Ulithian culture was organized around matriarchal lineages, with subsistence based on fishing and taro cultivation. [2] [Glottolog: ulit1238]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by Bible Society of Micronesia.

References