Embracing the Forgotten

The Akunu translation project embraces a large group of related languages spoken by millions of people in a difficult-to-access region of Eurasia. The Akunu languages have been disregarded over the past centuries, defined dismissively as rural dialects of the language used by the government and in education. 

Despite a lack of development of a written language, they have continued to develop into an oral language community. Akunu language research will provide the data necessary to identify mother-tongue translation needs. The goal is to provide access to the full Bible for the speakers of all the Akunu languages through chronological Bible storying and print, oral and audio-visual Scripture products.

An Akunu project team member shared this story that illustrates the need for translated Scriptures:

Three Akunu-speaking brothers left their home to seek short-term work in a neighboring country. The leader of a church there met them, gave them literature in the national language, and invited them to attend the church. They did not respond. Later the leader realized that she had a copy of the JESUS film in their language, and next time she met the brothers she invited them to watch the film with her. They immediately agreed, watched it with great interest, and asked if they could keep the film. Later news from the brothers revealed that they had taken it back to their home and were showing it to family and friends in their community.

Editor´s Note: Some names of people, places and languages may have been changed to safeguard work in sensitive locations.

There are many other languages around the world that do not have a translation of the New Testament.  Consider helping give God's word to others in their heart language.