Caribbean Javanese New Testament (JVNTBL)

Overview

The Caribbean Javanese New Testament, titled Kitab sutyi prejanjian anyar ing Basa Jawa Suriname sing gampang, is a translation of the New Testament into the Javanese language as spoken in Suriname. Between 1889 and 1939, approximately 30,000 predominantly Muslim Javanese were brought to Suriname as contract plantation workers under Dutch colonial rule. [1] After their contracts expired, most settled permanently, and over generations their spoken Javanese diverged from the language of Java, influenced by Dutch and Sranan Tongo. [1]

Translation work began in 1979 when Ed and Linda Speyers, sent by the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL), arrived in Suriname to facilitate the project. [2] In 1982, Pastor Antoon Sisal left his teaching career to become the primary translator, working alongside Ed Speyers. [2] The final draft was completed in 1999, and the New Testament was officially dedicated on March 18, 2000, marking the 500th New Testament translation involving Wycliffe Bible Translators. [2] The edition catalogued here was published in 2009.

Language and People

Caribbean Javanese (ISO 639-3: jvn) is spoken by approximately 78,370 people. [Glottolog: cari1276]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by Bible League International.

References