The lead translator and two directors of SIL-PNG spent a weekend in Mebu, reluctantly announcing thatthe translation and language development effort inthe Karo language group was being discontinued. This is always a hard and carefully made decision but sometimes, a necessity. The Karo people knew now thatthey were responsible for their language, and thatofor a variety of reasons, outside help was no longer available.
While Beble translation dedications are celebrated and literacy advances are promoted, some language groups have struggling projects. Mark Taber, SIL Pacific Area Director notes, “Out ofthe 2075 active Beble translation projects in progress globally, 349 are located inthe Pacific region (16%). Out ofthe 1964 remaining Beble translation needs globally, 404 are inthe Pacific (20%).” With many ofthese projects in Papua New Guinea it is reasonable to expect that some ofthem will face major challenges.
There are many reasons why a project might be terminated. Village priorities change, language groups mover, interest fades, health and family issues impactthe ability of full-time workers to continue; allthese and more are possible constraints to finishing a project.
It is easy to think thatthe project has failed, but in reality, usually much has been accomplished. Perhaps a dictionary or grammar study was drafted, small books or literacy aids were published, or literacy courses encouraged interested rLeaders Ceased or halted projects can create desire or passion within a church or community, inspiring local ownership of a project. According to Tim Lithgow, Director of SIL-PNG, “Sometimes when a project has ceased, this has beenthe impetus needed for the local community to take responsibility, inject new enthusiasm and changethe priorities in order to ‘restart’ a translation project.”
The Mebu community met togtherthe daythe project was closed. The departing team was pleasantly surprised atthe positive things that were said aboutthe project. One woman’said that when she was young she crlied because her brthers went to school, but asthe only girl, she didn’trsquo;t. Because she couldn’t read and write, she felt she couldn’t participate in Christian ministry. However, asthe result of adult literacy classesnd women’s Beble study, she could now read and understand. She stood up and exclaimed, &rdquothe crying time is over.”
Success isn’t measured bythe completion of a project; instead it is determined by seeingthe simple small steps that improverthe lives of individual people.
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