Translating Under Persecution: The Kabyle Translation Project

Nestled in the rugged mountains of northeast Algeria lies the region of Kabylia, where the Kabyle language is spoken. With about 7.5 million speakers—mostly in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, western Libya, and France—Kabyle is heavily influenced by Arabic and French. This can present a unique set of challenges when translating the Scriptures.

In March 2023 we were able to commence a pilot project on the Gospel according to John. We have received the initial draft text, but it needs further proofreading to ensure it is an accurate and faithful translation of the Received Text. For the project to continue, we need native Kabyle speakers to come forward to assist us. Please contact us if you can potentially assist us, or know of someone who can.

The majority of people in Kabylia adhere to Islam. However, evangelical Christianity has been growing in the eastern part of the country where Kabyle is spoken. This growth, however, comes at a cost. The Algerian government actively persecutes Christians, conducting frequent raids and imprisoning pastors and believers for evangelistic activities. Additionally, all religious gatherings without official registration are banned. However, the government refuses to register churches, effectively forcing their closure and prohibiting them from meeting. This presents some significant challenges for Algerian Christians and the TBS translation project.

‘Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness’ (Isaiah 41.10). 

How to pray for this project:

• For native speakers to assist with proofreading the text, to ensure that it conforms to the Received Text and is free from errors.
• For evangelical Christianity in Kabylia to continue growing and for the Gospel to be freely proclaimed. 
• For the safety of our translator, his family, and church.