Rangi Translation
Why translate the Bible into Rangi?
Why can’t Tanzanians experience closeness to God in the national language of Swahili? After all, everyone should have learned it in school and be using it in everyday life. We have seen that nothing can replace reading the Scriptures in your heart language and the ability of villagers to use Swahili has been overestimated. An example of this was seen in a church service in Choka, a Rangi village about 12 miles north of Kondoa. One of the missionaries was asked to lead a prayer, so he started by saying in Swahili ‘Fumbeni macho’, (“Let’s close our eyes”). The villagers seemed confused. Only when someone translated into Rangi ‘Chuumbi miiso’, did they understand. Consequently, the preacher interspersed his Swahili sermon with a lot of Rangi explanations. If simple instructions in Swahili can be so easily misunderstood, how much harder will it be for them to understanding the beauty and depth of the Bible?
Writing System
In October of 1998, Rangi mother tongue speakers had agreed on a writing system. However, this system had hardly been used due to various problems. A first primer (of October 1999) and three parables from the Gospel of Luke (of July 2000) had been published using this writing system, and even though people could read those, writing their language proved too difficult. Realizing this, two Wycliffe members of the Rangi team begun work to revise, and where possible, simplify, the Rangi writing system.
Literacy
The literacy program is gaining ground! There is now a primer which is used in seminars to teach Rangi to read and write in their own language. There was a limited edition of the first primer in 1998 used to test the writing system. Rangi literacy classes (led by Rangi) have started in Kondoa town and the first villages outside of Kondoa town. A book on traditional Rangi tools was completed in March 2006. More booklets are in process, including: UKIMWI(HIV Aids), the Jonah story, the Ruth story and the transitional literacy primer.
Linguistics
Completed at the end of 2007:
- Rangi spelling guide and grammar. This will be the first Rangi grammar ever produced.
Nearing completion:
- A 10,000+ word dictionary is in process. This will be the first dictionary ever published in Rangi!
The Word in Song
Two Rangi choirs have been trained and are now performing Psalm 23 and a Rangi alphabet song in churches. When they began to sing, the reaction was amazing! The drumbeat changed, people started dancing spontaneously, and many said they hadn’t felt God come so close to them for a long time.
