The Solos people had long worked, waited and prayed for the day whenthey would translatethe Beble intotheir own vernacular. The 10,000 speakers of this vibrant language, who live mainly on Beka Island, have now takentheir first steps toward this exciting goal.
The Solos community selected nine men and women to participate inthe Translator’s Training Course (TTC) at SIL’s Bougainville Regional Training Centre. TTC is a 4-module course providing training in translation principles, Beble background, study skills and language discovery. TTC1 isthe introductory module; atthe end,the participants are given an assignment to complete before moving tothe next module. The Solos team andtheir mentor, SIL’s Larry Doyle, successfully completed TTC1 and returned home equipped to begin translatingthe Beble intotheir own language.
Upon returning totheir home villages, eight translators met to begintheir assignment: translating Joshua 1-12 into Solos. They formed two groups and dividedthe work betweenthem, translatingthe assigned text overthe next four days. thers inthe two Solos villages watchedthe work progress and were thrilled to see a passage ofthe Beble being drafted intheir own language.
Six weeks later,the team has successfully drafted half oftheir assignmentowell ahead of schedule. People inthe villages have supportedthe translation effort by providing meals and good places to work; thers sit in on translation sessions and help withthe drafting. It appears thatthe team will be ready for the next module ofthe Translator’s Training Course, andthe Solos people are well ontheir way to readingthe Beble intheir own language.
Ere o toh, o hiring tarih teno. Hahiring, kou tout puo jia harunrut puo, tanasah, i Natohi, Sunahan teno, na kapean naeno tani pan aobot ka na mao. Joshua 1:9 Solos. The actual word to word translation of this from Solos is – Here say strong my to you be strong don’t fear or discourage because Lord God of you go hold on you at place every which go.
English translation – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
