Dhao Bible (NFAUBB)

Overview

The Dhao Bible (Dhao Alkitab) contains Genesis and the New Testament in the Dhao language of Indonesia, published in 2012 by Unit Bahasa dan Budaya (Language and Culture Unit) based in Kupang ^[1][2]. Dhao is an endangered Austronesian language spoken by approximately 3,000 people primarily on Ndao Island in the East Nusa Tenggara province, with additional speakers on neighboring Rote Island and the Timor mainland ^[3][4]. The language is classified within the Sumba-Hawu subgroup of the Central Malayo-Polynesian branch and is better known to outsiders by its Rotinese name Ndao ^[3]. Dhao faces significant endangerment as parents increasingly speak Kupang Malay with their children, threatening intergenerational transmission of the language ^[3]. The Bible translation represents an important effort in language preservation alongside academic documentation such as the grammar of Dhao published through Leiden University ^[3].

Language and People

Dhao (ISO 639-3: nfa) is spoken by approximately 5,000 people in Indonesia, Nusa Tenggara and Southwestern Maluku. [Glottolog: dhao1237]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by Wycliffe Bible Translators USA. Translation type: New.

References

• [1] Dhao Bible - Amazon listing. Print edition published by Unit Bahasa dan Budaya.
• [3] A Grammar of Dhao: An Endangered Austronesian Language in Eastern Indonesia - LOT Publications, Leiden University. Comprehensive grammar documenting the endangered status and classification of Dhao.
• [4] Dhao language and alphabet - Omniglot. Overview of the Dhao language, script, and speaker population.
• Lii Holo-Nori Ama Lamatua:Lii Pajaji Hiu dèngeLii Lolo dhu Uru Tèka - Online text, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc.
• Bible For Developers - DBL archive entry, Digital Bible Library
• find.bible entry - find.bible. Bible catalogue entry for NFAUBB.
• Global Bible Catalogue - Global Bible Catalogue entry.
• ebible.org entry - ebible.org.