Gwich'in New Testament (GWIG11)

Overview

The Gwich'in New Testament, titled Vit'eegwijyahchy'aa Vagwandak Nizii ("God: His Good News"), is a translation into the Gwich'in Athabascan language spoken by approximately 700 people across 15 villages in northeast Alaska and northern Canada [1][2]. Translation work on the Gwich'in New Testament began in 1958 when Susan and Richard Mueller started developing a writing system for the language in collaboration with the Native community and the University of Alaska Fairbanks [1]. In 1979, Pierre and Meggie DeMers, Wycliffe Bible Translator volunteers, moved from Santa Cruz, California, to Venetie, Alaska, to continue the translation effort, working with local residents including primary co-translator Mary Rose Gamboa [1][2]. The translation team worked from eight biblical versions, including the King James, Revised Standard, Jerusalem Bible, and Living Bible, and the project ultimately took 31 years rather than the anticipated 10 [2]. The completed New Testament was dedicated on May 22, 2011, at St. Matthew's Church in Fairbanks, and Gamboa subsequently recorded the entire text in audio format for non-readers [1][2].

Language and People

Gwichʼin (ISO 639-3: gwi) is spoken by approximately 560 people in Canada. [Glottolog: gwic1235]

Publishing and Organizations

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

References