Cheke Holo Bible

Cheke Holo Bible (MRNWBT)

Overview

The Cheke Holo Bible is a full Bible translation for the Cheke Holo-speaking people of Santa Isabel Island in the Solomon Islands, published in 2006 by the Bible Society in the South Pacific. The New Testament portion was completed and published in 1994, while Old Testament translation continued over the following decade. [1] The principal translator was Rev. Fr. Andrew Piaso, an Anglican priest who served as the main Cheke Holo Bible translator from 1986 onward, working with an SIL translation advisor and a translation committee. [1] [2] To be a speaker of Cheke Holo on Santa Isabel is closely linked with Anglican Christian identity, as the Melanesian Mission established Christianity on the island in the nineteenth century. [2] Portions of the Book of Common Prayer in Cheke Holo (titled “Buka Tharai Ka Cheke Marine”) were published as early as 1973. [3]

Translation History

Bible translation work for the languages of Santa Isabel has roots in the Melanesian Mission’s efforts beginning in the 1890s, when translations into the related Bugotu language were produced by the Melanesian Mission Press. [4] Modern Cheke Holo translation began in 1986 with Fr. Andrew Piaso as the lead translator. The New Testament was completed and published in 1994. From 1994 onward, work continued on the Old Testament through intensive on-site sessions with Fr. Piaso and off-site checking by correspondence. Fifteen percent of the Old Testament was published by 2005, and the full Bible edition appeared in 2006. [1]

References

Language and People

Cheke Holo (ISO 639-3: mrn) is spoken by approximately 10,800 people in Solomon Islands. [Glottolog: chek1238]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by Bible Society in the South Pacific.