Nyunga Bible (NYSBSA)

Overview

The Nyunga Bible (Warda Kwabba Luke-ang) is a Scripture portions publication in the Noongar (Nyungar) language, published by Bible Society Australia in 2016. [1] The primary content is a Noongar/English parallel Gospel of Luke, completed and published in 2014, which presents the Noongar text alongside English with a glossary of Noongar words to support language learning. [2] Additional portions include the Story of Ruth (Bardip Ruth-ang), published in 2020. [3] The Noongar translation project serves a dual purpose: providing Scripture in the indigenous language of southwestern Western Australia and contributing to the revitalization of a critically endangered language. [2] The Noongar people, whose traditional lands span the southwestern corner of Australia, experienced severe language loss due to colonial-era policies that forbade the Stolen Generations from speaking their language. [2] Census data indicates a gradual recovery, with the number of Noongar speakers increasing over recent decades. [3] Translation work continues on additional books, with the Gospel of Matthew as the next major project, followed by the Book of James and Genesis. [3]

Language and People

Nyungar (ISO 639-3: nys), also known as Noongar, is the language of the Noongar people of southwestern Western Australia. [4] It is classified as critically endangered, with approximately 480 speakers recorded. [4] The Federation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages (FATSIL) has identified Noongar as "at risk" of extinction. [2] However, revitalization efforts are underway, including the teaching of Noongar at many schools throughout southwestern Western Australia. [4] Of the estimated 250-300 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages originally spoken in Australia, approximately 155 have disappeared, and 110 of the remaining 145 are critically endangered. [3] [Glottolog: nyun1247]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by Bible Society in Australia.

References