In complete or partial form, the Bible is now available in a total of 2,261 languages, an increase of 28 during the year 2000, reports the United Bible Societies (UBS).
The figures are contained in the 2000 “Scripture Language Report,” published earlier this year by the UBS. The report provides an up-to-date summary of all the languages and dialects in which the complete Bible, the New Testament and individual Books have been published since printing was invented.
The report, compiled by the American Bible Society (ABS), is based on data received in the libraries of the ABS and the British and Foreign Bible Society during the last calendar year.
The complete Bible is now available in 383 languages, 13 more than a year ago. Although the “Scripture Language Report” includes Scriptures translated and published by a range of agencies, with the exception of all new Bibles published by a national Bible Society or by UBS itself, five of the new Bibles are in languages spoken in Asia and four in languages spoken in Latin America and the Caribbean.
In addition to complete Bibles, the New Testament has been published in an additional 987 languages.
The region claiming the largest share of these Africa, with 274 translated languages. The Caribbean and Latin American region follows with 241 and Asia is third with 221 translated languages. (EP)
Share with others: