Southern Dagaare 2015 Edition (DGABIV)

Overview

The Southern Dagaare New Testament, titled Naaŋmen Nɔpaalaa Gane, was translated by Baptist Mid-Missions missionaries Roger and Norene Russ, who began translation and literacy work among the Dagaaba people of Ghana's Upper West Region in 1976. [1] Bibles International adopted the project in 1987 and published the first literacy primer and teacher's guide in 1992. [1] The New Testament was completed in 2012 and dedicated in March 2016, with 4,000 copies printed and distributed, including to schools in the region. [1] By 2019, fewer than 250 copies remained from the original print run. [1] Following community requests for a complete Bible, Roger Russ began Old Testament translation in 2019, with Bibles International formally adopting the project that September. [1]

The Bible Society of Ghana also undertook a Southern Dagaare Scripture project, beginning with a 2008 sociolinguistic survey and a translation effort started in 2009. The Gospel of Mark was published as Maako Gane in 2011, and the New Testament, Naaŋmen Nɔpaalaa Gane, was completed in 2012 and launched in 2014, with Old Testament translation continuing thereafter.

References

Language and People

Southern Dagaare (ISO 639-3: dga) is spoken by approximately 924,000 people in Ghana. [Glottolog: sout2789]

References