Declaring Jehovah’s Praise in the Islands—A Look into Nicobarese

Translation

Introduction: Resting quietly between the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman
Sea are the hundreds of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Around 30,000 people speak Nicobarese, a language unique to these

islands.

Some of our literature was translated into Nicobarese in the early 2000’s,
but the time came for them to have their own translation team.

So in 2007, the India branch sent two brothers to organize it.

The brothers soon found many obstacles to overcome before the

translation work could begin.

Sanjay Chavda (India Translation Department): After searching for a

while, we found potential candidates who could read, write, and speak
Nicobarese fluently and we encouraged them to use their skills for
translation.

They really prepared their hearts to benefit from the training given.

Michael Lappa (Nicobarese Translation): I was excited and at the same

time frightened.

I know the seriousness of the responsibility as translation is done for those

who do not understand another language.

Martina Lappa (Nicobarese Translation): The brother who came to give

training always told us, “If you make yourself available, Jehovah will make
you capable.”

Sanjay Chavda (India Translation Department): The best location for work
would have been on the Nicobar Islands where the Nicobarese-speaking
people live.

But it was restricted after the devastating tsunami in 2004. The brothers
couldn’t leave their jobs and go to the branch because it’s over
1,000 miles away (1,600 km). So the capital of the islands, Port Blair, was
the best place to work.

Some had to travel 24 hours by ship from different islands to get there.

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Declaring Jehovah’s Praise in the Islands—A Look into Nicobarese
Translation

Michael Lappa (Nicobarese Translation): Our language has a limited

vocabulary.

That is a challenge for us, but as a team, we try to resolve it.

During the preparation, if we find something which is difficult to translate,

the three of us give our suggestions and we try to find a simpler way of
translating so the target audience gets the point.

Narrator: In December 2004, a tsunami devastated the islands leaving

many in search of comfort.

Mark Paul: During the tsunami’s period, those who never wanted to hear
the good news wanted to come in the small room where we used to
conduct our meetings.

So I told them the meeting can be conducted in the open ground where
all the tsunami victims were gathering.

They agreed because they were eager to hear the truth.

Narrator: Soon afterward, the tract Would You Like to Know the Truth?
was translated into Nicobarese.

It immediately had a positive effect.

Michael Lappa (Nicobarese Translation): When people saw the tract in

their language, they were very happy.

On one island, more than 20 people read the tract.

Most of them have now dedicated themselves to serve Jehovah.

Narrator: Among them were Boniface Joseph and his wife, Polina Lucas.

Polina Lucas: The last question affected us: “How can I find happiness in
life?” We were happy because the way it answered was very simple and
easy to understand.

We were moved to learn more about the truth.

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Declaring Jehovah’s Praise in the Islands—A Look into Nicobarese
Translation

There were other questions we never knew before such as “What

happens to us when we die?” and “Will . . . suffering ever end?”

Sanjay Chavda (India Translation Department): Even though the tsunami

almost snatched away everything some of these brothers had, they are
now even more determined to use their abilities in Jehovah’s service.

Martina Lappa (Nicobarese Translation): In the field ministry, I met a lady

and gave her one of our tracts.

She was happy to see it in her own language because it is totally a new
thing to them as we don’t have any secular magazines in our own
language.

A Pricilla (Nicobarese Translation): People in the congregation benefit

from it.

Even new Bible students have benefited who did not read well, but now
they can understand what they’re reading because it’s in their language.

It reaches their heart.

Esther Jugnu Ulysses: Nicobari literature has helped me to keep my faith

strong because now when I read, I can fully understand the meaning and
meditate on what I’m reading.

Mark Paul: I feel God uses translation as a tool to help people to know
more about him and attract them to the truth and save their lives.

Narrator: With Jehovah’s blessing, the challenging work of translating the

good news of his Kingdom into Nicobarese is contributing to the words of
Isaiah 42:12: “Let them attribute glory to Jehovah and declare his praise
in the islands.”

E&OE

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