The role of Bible translation for cultural survival
Leon SteenkampOn 8 May 2025, South Africans celebrated 100 years of Afrikaans as an official language.
It is a remarkable journey for a language that was initially seen as a kitchen and street language. A significant factor in the acceptance and development of Afrikaans was the first Bible translation, published in 1933. The Afrikaans Bible brought the Gospel to the speakers of this young language but also provided structure, dignity and a literary presence to the language.
Afrikaans, however, is not the only language that benefits from having its own Bible. Across the world and still here in South Africa, Bible translation continues to play a significant role in the preservation of minority languages on the brink of extinction.
When a language disappears, it takes a unique world view, centuries of cultural heritage and a living bond between generations. Bible translations offer more than spiritual nourishment – they create a foundational text that anchors a language in written form, encourages literacy and instils pride in communities, who often face social or cultural pressure to abandon their mother tongue.
The Bible Society of South Africa is currently working on four first translation projects – !Xuhn, Khwedam, Khelovedu and TjiHlanganu – where the Bible plays a massive role in the cultural development of each of these language groups. The aim is not only to help these minority languages survive, but to thrive. Their stories remind us that when we invest in languages through the Word, we also help preserve the sacred thread of human diversity itself.
!Xuhn
!Xuhn is spoken by a small Khoi-San community, descendants of some of the world’s oldest cultures. With an estimated 50 000 speakers, of which some 4 000 are located in the Northern Cape, !Xuhn is facing cultural erosion as many younger speakers choose to speak Afrikaans and English. By translating the Bible into !Xuhn, the Bible Society helps to capture the Word of God and a rich oral tradition, anchoring the language in standardised written form for the first time.
Khwedam
Khwedam is part of the Khoe-Kwadi language family and is spoken by the Khwe who live in parts of South Africa, Namibia, Angola and Botswana. As the number of speakers declines, Khwedam languishes with fears that the language will disappear completely., The Bible Society’s Bible translation project is crucial in this context. A Bible in Khwedam will make the Word of God accessible to this group and help Khwedam establish its place among the languages of Southern Africa.
Khelovedu
In Limpopo, Khelovedu is a Northern Sotho dialect spoken by the Balobedu people, famous for the Rain Queen Modjadji. While it has a sizable speaker base, Khelovedu has historically lacked written resources and is often overshadowed by standard Sepedi. Translating the Bible into Khelovedu not only addresses spiritual needs, but also affirms the dialect’s unique identity, thus encouraging its use in education, worship and daily life.
TjiHlanganu
TjiHlanganu is a dialect of Xitsonga spoken mainly in southern Mozambique and parts of South Africa. Although related to Xitsonga, it has distinct features that risk being flattened under the pressure of dominant languages. The Bible Society’s translation work offers speakers of TjiHlanganu a powerful cultural resource, reinforcing the dialect’s value and fostering pride in their linguistic heritage.
Language preservation is not just about linguistics or heritage – it’s about people, identity and dignity. When a community receives the Bible in their language, they gain more than just access to God’s Word; they are reaffirmed of their place in the world. When we support Bible translation in minor languages, we invest in the survival of unique world views, stories and identities. We ensure that the sacred languages of today will not be silenced tomorrow.
Learn more about or support our current translation projects.
