In the vibrant city of Darwin, during April Peter Hacquoil from Bible Society Australia worked closely with Indigenous language speakers to continue the audio recording of the Old Testament in both Plain English and Kriol.
These sessions are more than just recording; they are a meticulous process involving a ‘voice coach’ who, often via Zoom, advises on techniques such as pacing and tone. This ensures that the message of the Scriptures is conveyed clearly and effectively, resonating deeply with listeners.
The recording sessions are part of an ongoing project that has seen contributions from many Indigenous readers. Each session is expertly edited and mastered by Peter, resulting in high-quality audio Bible recordings. These recordings are then made freely accessible through the Australian Bibles app and the Aboriginal Bibles website, ensuring that the Scriptures reach a wide audience.
In 2024, significant progress was made in recording the Kriol Old Testament. This project, when completed, will impact 30,000 Kriol speakers, providing them with access to Scripture in their heart language. The project has seen substantial advancements, with three recording workshops in 2024 held in Darwin, organised in partnership with AuSIL and GRN. The Old Testament is now over 70% recorded, a remarkable increase from just 20% in 2020.
Bible Society Australia (BSA) recognises the unique needs of Indigenous Australian communities, where oral traditions are deeply ingrained. Most Indigenous Australians are oral learners, with many preferring to learn and communicate through spoken word rather than written text. This preference is particularly strong among younger generations, making audio Bibles an essential tool for spiritual engagement.
Audio Bibles present the gospel in a format that is easily accessible, especially for those with low literacy levels. They also play a crucial role in language preservation and literacy development. By highlighting text as it is spoken, audio Bible apps serve as effective learning tools, helping individuals improve their reading skills while engaging with Scripture.
BSA is committed to enhancing the accessibility of Scripture through audio recording projects. In 2025, the focus is on planning and executing audio recording workshops for translated Scriptures. Key projects include the Kriol Old Testament Recording Project and the Plain English Version (PEV) Audio Recording Project, which Peter held workshops for in April. These efforts are supported by collaborations with organisations like AuSIL, Global Recordings Network (GRN) and Faith Comes by Hearing.
The goal is to ensure that all Indigenous language translations are available in audio format. To achieve this, BSA is investing in additional audio players preloaded with Scripture. Following the distribution of 1,000 players in early 2023, more are needed to meet the growing demand in communities.
Work also continued on the recording of the PEV Mini Bible, with translations of 1 & 2 Samuel and the Gospel of Matthew completed. Final edits for Psalms, Mark, Luke, and some recordings of John’s Gospel are in progress. Additionally, recordings in several other Indigenous languages, including Adnyamathanha, Noongar, Kuninjku, and Barkly English, are being finalised.
By providing high-quality audio Bibles, BSA is not only preserving languages but also enhancing spiritual engagement and literacy development. These efforts continue to bring hope and transformation to Indigenous Australians, ensuring that they can truly engage with the word of God .
You can read more about this work and support it here.
Help bring the life-changing message of Scripture to Australians who need it most
