ruth-and-jonah-in-aghul
The Institute for Bible Translation (IBT) has published the Old Testament books of Ruth and Jonah in the Aghul language. These publications continue a series of new translations carried out using oral translation methodology, the key feature of which is that the entire process — from initial drafting to final checking and approval of the text — is carried out orally. Books translated using this method have already been published in the Tsudakhar language...
ruth-and-jonah-in-the-tsudakhar-language
The Institute for Bible Translation (IBT) has published its first printed editions of Scripture translated using Oral Bible Translation (OBT) methodology. These are the books of Ruth and Jonah in the Tsudakhar language of Dagestan. The Tsudakhars are a large sub-group within the Dargi (Dargwa) people, possessing their own unique dialect. The exact size of the Tsudakhar diaspora worldwide requires clarification; however, according to available estimates, it may number around 30,000 people or more...
ibt-training-seminar-on-oral-bible-translation
On June 22-26, 2025, the Institute for Bible Translation conducted a seminar for new translators from various Dagestanian languages, including those with no writing system. During this training event, IBT launched several new projects that will be using oral Bible translation (OBT) methodology. New projects have now been launched in the Archi, Botlikh, Murego-Gubden, Tindi, Khvarshin, Tsez and Chirag languages. The seminar, structured as a blend of lectures on theory and practical sessions, marked the beginning of these initiatives.
news-20012024
From January 15 to 20, the Institute for Bible Translation held a practical seminar on oral Bible translation (OBT) in Makhachkala.
Translators and exegetical advisers from the Tsudakhar, Godoberi, Chamalal andl Karata projects participated in this event. All four of these non-written languages belong to the Nakh-Dagestani language family. The oral nature of the use of these languages by their speakers determined the choice of the oral Bible translation methodology for them.
The workshop started with an introduction to the methodology of the translation process, providing the participants with a solid foundation for their practical exercises. The practical segment of the workshop focused on the 1st chapter of the book of Ruth, allowing the participants to apply the newly acquired knowledge and skills to a specific biblical text...
news-120318
IBT has published an illustrated book of stories from the Holy Scriptures in the Lamunkhin dialect of the Even language. The Lamunkhin dialect is spoken by 800 people (out of a total of about 5,600 Even speakers), making it the largest of the dialects of Even. It is also the dialect that has maintained the greatest number of vocabulary items having to do with the traditional Even culture.
The book contains 25 stories that cover key Scriptural passages, from the creation of the world to the second coming of Christ as described in Revelation. The 41 color pictures were produced by an Even artist and take an overtly “domesticating” approach to illustrating the text, i.e. they show the world of the Bible as it might be seen through the eyes of an average Even...