Luang New Testament and Old Testament Portions (LEXWBT)

Overview

The New Testament, Genesis, Ruth, Esther, and Job in the Luang language of Indonesia. Luang (also known as Literi Lagona or Letri Lgona) is an Austronesian language of the Central Malayo-Polynesian branch spoken by more than 20,000 people in coastal villages on a chain of islands in southern Maluku Province, from the Babar Islands in the east to the Leti Islands in the west ^[1][2]. The language has three main dialects: Wetan (western Babar Island and Wetan Island), Leti (Leti Island), and Luang (Moa, Lakor, Luang, and Sermata islands) ^[1]. In 2005, the Luang community completed their New Testament translation along with a hymnbook, an accomplishment that followed five years of collaborative language development work including orthography development and the production of children’s and adult literacy materials ^[2][3]. The translation work was carried out in partnership with SIL linguists Kathleen B. Taber and Mark H. Taber, who lived in a Luang village for five years during the project; Mark later became SIL Pacific Area Director, and Kathleen serves as an SIL translation consultant ^[2]. The vernacular title of this Bible, “Puka Lululi,” reflects the Luang language name for the Scriptures ^[4]. Ongoing work seeks to provide additional Old Testament portions including Psalms and Proverbs, along with liturgy materials, children’s Bible stories, and Bible study aids ^[3].

Language and People

Luang (ISO 639-3: lex) is spoken by approximately 18,000 people in Indonesia, Southern Maluku. [Glottolog: luan1263]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by YSS, Jakarta. Translation type: First.

References

• [1] Luang language and alphabet - Omniglot. Language classification, dialects, and geographic distribution.

• [2] New book describes the grammar and sound system of Luang - SIL International. Translation history, the Tabers’ involvement, and the 2005 New Testament completion.

• [3] Getting God’s Word to the Luang People, Indonesia - Wycliffe Bible Translators. Project overview and ongoing Old Testament translation work.

• [4] Puka Lululi - YouVersion. Digital edition of the Luang Bible.

• BibleSearch - Online text, American Bible Society

• Audio Bible - Audio Bible, Faith Comes By Hearing

• Full Bible - Online text, Faith Comes By Hearing

• Puka Lululi - Online text, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc.

• Luang - John (Print) - Historical archive

• find.bible entry - find.bible. Bible catalogue entry for LEXWBT.

• Global Bible Catalogue - Global Bible Catalogue entry.

• ebible.org entry - ebible.org.