Soriyali Bible Portions (SORWBT)

Overview

The Soriyali Bible Portions contain Scripture translated into Somrai, an East Chadic language spoken by approximately 7,400 people in southwestern Chad near the city of Lai in the Tandjile Est department [1][2]. The translation was published by Wycliffe Bible Translators in 2020, written in the Latin script developed for the language [3]. Somrai, also known by the endonym Chibne (or Sibine/Shibne), is most closely related to the Ndam language, though the two are not mutually intelligible [1]. Bible translation and literacy work in Somrai has been supported by ATALTRAB (Association Tchadienne d'Alphabetisation, de Linguistique et de Traduction de la Bible), the Chadian national organization for literacy, linguistics, and Bible translation founded in 1993, which serves over 40 language communities in Chad [4][5]. Literacy classes in the Somrai language began in 2002, laying groundwork for Scripture engagement in the mother tongue [1].

Language and People

Somrai (ISO 639-3: sor) is spoken by approximately 7,410 people in Southwestern Chad. [Glottolog: somr1248]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by Wycliffe Bible Translators USA.

References