Nigeria's rapid rise

Members of the Waka Bible translation project in eastern Nigeria.

With the swift advancement of Bible translation into predominantly oral, nonliterate communities, new challenges are arising as well. One challenge is equipping local teams to share work that relies heavily on advanced technology.

In Nigeria, new projects in new language groups have even moved the country off of ProgressBible’s list of nations with the most languages needing translation to start. Three years ago Nigeria's list contained 178 languages. Now it has just 22. Nigeria today has at least 232 language projects in the pre-translation, preparatory phase. This brings a heightened need for training and technological support.

For the Nigerian Bible Translation Trust (NBTT), currently working in 109 languages, technology continues to boost translation work. Relatively recent software like Render, Paratext and Translators Workplace give translators powerful resources, enabling them to work efficiently from anywhere in the world. These tools offer features such as real-time collaboration, extensive lexicons, automated checks and consultant reviews, significantly enhancing the translation process.

"We received comprehensive training on how to use Render, Paratext and other resources to translate the Bible into our heart languages," says Rev. Shadrack Mishack, an oral Bible translation advisor working with the Miship language in Nigeria’s Plateau State. ‘Although the training process is intensive, it is essential to empower indigenous translators with the necessary technological skills before they begin the translation work, especially in the realm of OBT (oral Bible translation).’

‘Despite the challenges we face, such as limited early exposure to technology, we strive to become proficient in using these tools’, he adds. ‘This effort is paying off as more people gain quick access to the Scriptures. For instance, parts of the translated Scripture in our language are now available on mobile phones, allowing people to listen to them. This accessibility has sparked a demand for more portions of the Scripture.’

A game-changer

‘When I first started in translation, we relied solely on pens and paper, which was time-consuming and labour-intensive’, says Pastor Daniel Bala, an oral Bible translator with the Dɨjiim project in Gombe State. ‘Despite our best efforts, the work often lacked the accuracy and efficiency needed for high-quality translations. However, with the introduction of Render and Paratext, our workflow has improved dramatically. These tools have empowered us by making the translation process easier, faster and more accurate.’

Render, which was specifically designed for oral Bible translation (OBT), has been a game-changer, Mishack adds.

‘It allows us to create high-quality oral translations, which are crucial for our community where many people cannot read or write’, he says. ‘With Render, we can listen to Bible passages, record our oral translations and share these recordings with our team for feedback. This streamlined process ensures that translations are culturally relevant and resonate deeply with the audience. The intuitive platform of Render has significantly improved our efficiency, allowing us to produce translations faster and with greater accuracy. 

Technology gaps

NBTT’s IT team provides translation software training to local team members—but the task is huge.

‘Render has many features that we haven't fully mastered yet’, Mishack says. ‘In our community, finding people who are good with computers is difficult. Many of us are not familiar with basic computer operations, let alone specialised software like Render and Paratext. This means we spend a lot of time just learning how to use the computer, which takes time away from the actual translation work.’

That can feel a little like being given a Formula One race car when hardly anyone even knows how to drive.

‘It’s crucial for organisations and individuals to invest more time and resources in training people in technology’, Bala says. ‘This will greatly aid the mission of Bible translation. NBTT is commendable in its efforts to train translators on using Render and other tools. However, there is a need for more focused and extensive training to enhance effectiveness. For example, additional training sessions could cover advanced features of Render and Paratext, troubleshooting common issues, and practical exercises to build confidence and competence. Mentorship programs, where experienced translators guide new ones, could also be beneficial. Investing in continuous education and providing access to technical support will ensure that translators are well-equipped to use these tools to their full potential.’

It’s easy in technologically advanced parts of the world to forget that stable, reliable internet and the latest hardware are not always available in communities where translation projects are taking place.

‘In remote areas, this can be a big problem, causing interruptions and delays’, Mishack says. ‘Getting technical support when we run into problems is also a challenge. Sometimes we encounter bugs or technical issues, and without immediate expert help, resolving these can be frustrating and time-consuming.’

He adds that making sure oral translations are culturally relevant adds another layer of complexity that technology alone cannot solve. Teams must work to understand local traditions and expressions.

‘To address these issues, we need more comprehensive and ongoing training’, he says. ‘Basic computer literacy programs would also help a lot, ensuring everyone is comfortable with the necessary technology. Better access to hardware and reliable internet would prevent many interruptions. A reliable support system for technical issues would reduce downtime and frustration.’

Members of the Waka Bible translation project in eastern Nigeria.

IT team response

Magagi Waje, the NBTT IT leader, said his team is working hard but recognises limitations when many of the people available for translation projects were not exposed to technology in their younger days.

The IT team tries to communicate regularly with translators and, if a case is too difficult to resolve remotely, they may bring a team member to Jos for training—‘which incurs significant expenses’, Magagi says.

‘In the future, we might need to include training sessions for the translators on basic computer operations, lasting at least a few weeks before introducing them to translation software,’ he adds. ‘This might help them become more proficient in using computers in translation.’

Magagi also emphasised the importance of translation teams including some younger people who are more likely to have encountered and used technology.

Magagi Waje of NBTT’s IT team.

‘A constant presence’

Despite the challenges, translators see a huge impact in communities that have begun receiving portions of Scripture. Balo, for one, listens to Bible passages on a phone headset while doing daily activities like farming — ‘allowing God's word to be a constant presence in my life. This accessibility has brought me closer to God and strengthened my faith.’

‘Many people in our community cannot read or write, but they can listen to God’s Word in their own language through audio formats,’ he says. ‘This has made the Scriptures accessible to everyone, regardless of their literacy level.’

Even in remote areas and among people without formal education, smartphone ownership is common.

‘They use these devices to listen to music and other content, so sharing God’s Word in audio format fits naturally into their daily lives,’ he says. ‘This accessibility has been transformational, allowing God’s Word to reach hearts and minds in ways that were previously impossible.’

Members of the Waka Bible translation project in eastern Nigeria.

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Story: Aondongusha Joshua Tsar and Jim Killam, Wycliffe Global Alliance.

Photos: Aondongusha Joshua Tsar

Alliance organisations may download and use the images from this story.