Projects
Together in Bible Translation has been working with different language groups across Madagascar for more than 20 years. What started with just a few translations projects has grown and continues to grow today. On this map you can see the different language groups TiBT is working with and read a little about their progress in Bible Translation and related activities.
This map highlights how projects are grouped into four main clusters. This is so that the different teams can support each other, and share their experience and resources in order to be more effective.
The Andrefana (Western) Cluster is a group of projects TiBT aims to start as soon as funding is available. Work has been done in the region before as you can see from the two grey-coloured projects, but was concluded after the completion of the Gospel of Luke and the Jesus Film.
If you are interested in learning more or visiting some of these projects, please Contact Us.
Our Projects
Andrefana (Western) Cluster
Translation in this cluster is currently being planned. Language research and initial engagement has already taken place and communities in this region are waiting expectantly.
Translation in this cluster is currently being planned. Language research and initial engagement has already taken place and communities in this region are waiting expectantly.
Translation in this cluster is currently being planned. Language research and initial engagement has already taken place and communities in this region are waiting expectantly.
Translation in this cluster is currently being planned. Language research and initial engagement has already taken place and communities in this region are waiting expectantly.
Atsimo (Southern) Cluster
The Masikoro is a small people group, whose language is spoken by many across south-western Madagascar. The translation team, four women and one man, come from two denominations, and are based in Toliara. They have completed the Jesus Film, the gospels of Matthew and Luke in print and audio, along with the WPG booklets containing Old and New Testament extracts, and are currently translating texts for the lectionary.
They have completed the Jesus Film, the gospels of Luke in print and audio, along with the WPG booklets containing Old and New Testament extracts, and are currently translating texts for the lectionary.
Use of all of these materials in evangelism is proving very fruitful across the region.
We have been engaged with the community for many years and hope to see a translation project start.
The team started working in 2006 with: Luke, the Jesus Film and Wonderful Plan of God booklets and have completed a draft of the Lectionary.
During the Covid pandemic the team has been working on a first draft of the whole New Testament.
The Ntandroy region is in the extreme south of Madagascar, a very dry and arid area. Father Benolo, who began translating the scriptures in the early 70’s, leads a multi-denominational team of translators working on the NT. So far, they have completed the gospels, Acts and a number of epistles, in print and some audio, as well as the Jesus Film. The Ntandroy translations will reach an estimated 700,000 plus people.
Other Projects
Engagement with the deaf community started before 2008 and they are now keen to start Bible Translation into MSL. A committee has been formed that will continue working towards this goal.
This is a sensitive project. The first phase involves the translation of the Jesus Film, the Gospel of Luke and the Wonderful Plan of God booklet series.
Avaratra (Northern) Cluster
Based in the very north of Madagascar, the team here started working in 2006. The Gospel of Luke and the Jesus Film are being used by the community, and there are some Wonderful Plan of God (WPG) booklets available. They are currently translating texts for the lectionary.
Based in Mandritsara, the Tsimihety translation team was formed in 2015 and are currently community testing a revision of the gospel of Luke published in the 1920’s.
They are also finishing a draft of the Wonderful Plan of God booklet series (7 booklets containing extracts from the Old and New Testaments).
The Betsimisaraka Avaratra language is spoken by at least 2,5 million people on the north-east coast. The team, consisting of seven men and women, each from a different denomination, are based in Mananara Nord. Some translations the team has completed are the Gospel of Luke in print and audio, the Jesus Film, and some booklets of Old and New Testament extracts. They are currently translating portions for the lectionary.
Groundwork began in 2017 through engaging with the community through visiting ecumenical church leaders, local traditional leaders and villages. Work will continue as funding is available.
A small people group of the north, with a history of oppression. Traditional customs are very engrained here.
Groundwork began in 2019 through engaging with the community through visiting ecumenical church leaders, local traditional leaders and villages. Work will continue when funding is available.
Atsinanana (Eastern) Cluster
The team started working in 2006 with: Luke, the Jesus Film and Wonderful Plan of God booklets and they are now completing a draft of the Lectionary.
A small people group in the east, with a history of oppression. Traditional customs are very engrained here.
Groundwork began in 2018 through engaging with the community through visiting ecumenical church leaders, local traditional leaders and villages. Work will continue as funding becomes available.
Since 2018 we have been engaged with the community. A grammar study was conducted and a Discover Your Language workshop with 100 representatives from different villages. Work will continue when funding is available.
Groundwork began in 2019 through engaging with the community through visiting ecumenical church leaders, local traditional leaders and villages. Work will continue when funding is available.
Since 2018 we have been engaged with the community and have hosted a Discover Your Language workshop with 100 representatives from this language group. Further work will happen when possible.
The team started working in 2006 with: Luke, the Jesus Film and Wonderful Plan of God booklets and they are now completing a draft of the Lectionary.
Phase Completed
Luke and the Jesus Film were published and recorded - this work now continues through other projects.
Luke was drafted and the Jesus Film completed – this work now continues through other projects.
