In 2022, two different language groups completed the ‘First Nations Language Course’ at Nungalinya College, a Murrinhpatha group from Wadeye and a Yolngu group from Arnhem Land. This course was run as a preparation for translators wanting to read and write in their own language.

Louise MacDonald, resource worker with the Uniting Church’s Coordinate says, “This is an ongoing project to increase the quality of translation work, but also to bring in a new generation, and because the students are usually also key church leaders within their communities, it will increase the profile of Bible translation work within those communities. It’s going to be really significant.”

To address the need for training of Mother Tongue translators, Bible Society Australia gives ongoing support to the training of Indigenous Bible Translators through our partnership with Nungalinya Theological College in Darwin.  

In 2022, Nungalinya College ran a Certificate II ‘First Nations’ Language Course, helping teach students to read and write in an Indigenous language. This course also formed an introduction for those interested in training as a Bible Translator, who need help with the literacy requirements of a translation course. 

In order to make Bible Translation training more accessible to a younger generation of translators, Nungalinya College has designed the new Certificate of Bible Translation Course. The Certificate of Bible Translation Course will allow students entry without the same requirements as the previous Diploma level course. This new course is also specifically designed for Bible Translators, providing a more specialised focus.  

Plans are underway to commence the new Certificate II in Bible Translation in early 2023 and a new group of eager translation students have enrolled in order to learn the specialised skills and processes required to create good translations for their respective language group.