Saafi-Saafi Scripture (SAVWBT)

Overview

The Saafi-Saafi Scripture contains portions of the Bible in the Saafi-Saafi language (also known as Safene or Saafen), spoken by the Saafi people of western Senegal, particularly in the Thies Region southwest of Dakar [1]. Published in 2019 by Wycliffe Bible Translators, the translation bears the vernacular title "Fiis ci Hooliɗ ci ŋ saafi-saafi." Saafi-Saafi is the principal language of the Cangin group, whose peoples originally spoke a single language but diverged over the centuries into distinct, separate languages [2]. The Saafi people are ethnically related to the Serer but speak a language that is not mutually intelligible with the Serer language [2]. Christianity was introduced to the Saafi community in the early 1800s, though in recent decades the area has become largely Muslim [1]. SIL Senegal provided technical expertise in translation theory and practice, working collaboratively with local language communities and native speakers to produce the Scripture portions [3].

Language and People

Saafi-Saafi (ISO 639-3: sav) is spoken by approximately 200,000 people in Senegal and The Gambia. [Glottolog: saaf1238]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by Wycliffe Bible Translators USA.

References