TRANSLATING THE BIBLE INTO JAMAICAN PATOIS

For five million people, Jamaican patois is the language of the street and home. Full of character and expression, it’s a language that captures the spirit of the Caribbea.

But Patois speakers remain one of the largest groups in the world without any Scripture in their own language.

Now the Bible Society of the West Indies is working to change this.

In Kingston, Jamaica, a team are translating the New Testament into patois. In doing so, they are working with the University of the West Indies to officially write down the patois language for the first time. Plans are also in place to create an audio recording of the patois New Testament.

The £250,000 project is due for completion in 2012. When it is finished, millions of patois speakers will finally hear the Bible’s life-changing message in a language that speaks to their hearts.

Courtney Stewart, General Secretary of the Bible Society of the West Indies, said, ‘For God to break in and speak the language of the people, God will have to move in and live among them.

‘With the Bible in patois, God is right there in their homes and yards. It says to them – “God gets out! He speaks my language! He communicates with me where I am.” This is marvellous.’