Yoruba Contemporary Bible

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Yoruba Contemporary Bible (YORYCB)

Overview

The Yoruba Contemporary Bible (Bibeli Mimo ni Ede Yoruba Ode-Oni) is a full Bible in modern Yoruba published by Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society), with copyright dates of 2009 and 2017. The lead translator was Dr. Ezekiel Abioye, who began the translation work in 1987; the project took approximately 30 years to complete. [1] The translation was publicly launched on August 7, 2020, in Ibadan, Oyo State, with Prof. Iwu Ikwubuzo, Board Chairman of Biblica Nigeria, describing it as using “lucid contemporary standard variety of Yoruba Language.” [1]

Translation History

The Yoruba Bible has a distinguished translation history. Samuel Ajayi Crowther (c. 1807-1891), a formerly enslaved Yoruba man who became the first African Anglican bishop, began translating Scripture into Yoruba in the 1840s under the Church Missionary Society. He published his first Yoruba grammar and vocabulary in 1843, followed by translations of four New Testament books (Luke, Acts, James, and 1 Peter) in 1852. [2][3] Working with his assistant Thomas King, a graduate of Fourah Bay College and ordained catechist, Crowther completed the full Yoruba Bible, published in 1884. [2][3] Their translation of the Bible and Prayer Book is still regarded as a work of high literary value. [3] The Yoruba Contemporary Bible, launched 136 years after Crowther’s pioneering translation, reflects the evolution of the Yoruba language since the 19th century. [1]

Language and People

Yoruba (ISO 639-3: yor) is spoken by approximately 37,800,000 people in Nigeria, Map 1. [Glottolog: yoru1245]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by Davar Partners International. Translation type: Revision.

References