Pwapwior we e Santus (STWEBL)

Overview

This is a translation of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) into Satawalese, an Austronesian language of the Chuukic subgroup spoken in the Federated States of Micronesia [1][2]. The translation work began in August 2010 when representatives of the Satawalese community on Yap approached translation advisor Cameron Fruit, explaining that they found the Chuukese Bible difficult to understand and wanted Scripture in their own language [3]. The translation adapted the existing Saipan Carolinian translation into Satawalese using AdaptIt software [3]. A first draft of the complete New Testament was finished by the end of 2016, and a trial edition was printed and distributed in 2019 for community feedback [4]. The translation team included Dorothy Nemwarhmwar, Cecilia Lerageyait, Manuelina Ligiteiwel, Sabino Sauchimal, Fr Kenneth Urumolug, and Richard Ligiteiwel, with Paulus Kieviet serving as translation consultant [3]. This edition is published by Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc.

Translators and Contributors

The translation team comprised Dorothy Nemwarhmwar, Cecilia Lerageyait, Manuelina Ligiteiwel, Sabino Sauchimal, Fr Kenneth Urumolug, and Richard Ligiteiwel [3]. Cameron Fruit served as translation advisor, and Paulus Kieviet joined as translation consultant to conduct consultant checks [3].

Language and People

Satawalese (ISO 639-3: stw) is spoken by approximately 460-700 people on the island of Satawal in Yap State, as well as on nearby atolls and islands including Lamotrek, Woleai, Puluwat, and Pulusuk [1][2]. It is classified as an endangered language [2]. The translation project was coordinated by the Isles of the Sea organization, which focuses on Bible translation for languages of Polynesia and Micronesia [3].

References