Maskelynes New Testament (KLVWBT)

Overview

The Maskelynes New Testament, titled Nasoruan siGot len nasoruan ta Uluveu, was published in 2013 by Wycliffe Bible Translators after 15 years of translation work [1][2]. The project began in 1994 when community leaders Alick Masing Simon and Chief Edly Wakon requested assistance from the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL), and in 1998, Australian SIL members and translation advisors David and Sue Healey joined the Maskelynes community to lead the linguistic and translation work [2]. David Healey analysed the grammar of the Maskelynes language and was awarded his PhD through the University of the South Pacific in November 2013 for his documentation of the language [2]. The completed New Testament was formally dedicated on April 9, 2014, in Pelonk village on the Maskelyne Islets, with celebrations including traditional dancing and the distribution of gold-embossed New Testaments, as well as solar-powered MegaVoice audio players containing the recorded Scripture for non-readers [2]. Maskelynes (ISO 639-3: klv) is an Oceanic language of the Malayo-Polynesian family spoken by approximately 1,300-1,400 people on the Maskelyne Islets off south Malekula, Vanuatu, with additional speakers in Luganville and Port Vila [3].

Language and People

Maskelynes (ISO 639-3: klv) is spoken by approximately 1,350 people in Vanuatu, Enlarged Area. [Glottolog: mask1242]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by Wycliffe Bible Translators USA. Translation type: New.

References