New Translation Project! Purbiya Tamang

The Tamang are one of the main ethnic groups in Nepal. There are two main forms of the Tamang language: Eastern and Western. Variants of Tamang are also spoken in the parts of India that border Nepal. Purbiya Tamang, an unwritten variant of Eastern Tamang, has approximately 800,000 speakers. It is spoken by many in villages who do not speak Nepali due to the lack of education and the remoteness of the villages. They need the Scriptures in their own language.

Many of the Tamang are subsistence farmers with the usual problems found in many of the rural tribal areas of Nepal: child marriage and illiteracy, as well as lacking healthcare, sanitation, and clean drinking water. Buddhism is the main religion practiced in these parts, but Hinduism is also in evidence.

Following approval of a pilot project, we received the Gospel according to John in November. While it still needs further checking, we are grateful that the project has progressed thus far. We are also exploring how far the different dialects are mutually understood, and whether it is possible to produce a New Testament translation in a standard form of Tamang.

How to pray for the project:

• For the Gospel to be proclaimed to the Purbiya Tamang people of Nepal, and that the Lord would open their hearts to hear the truths proclaimed in the Scriptures.
• For the translation team as they endeavour to translate the Scriptures faithfully.