Bible translations into Indigenous Australian languages facts for kids

Bible translations into Indigenous Australian languages date back to the 1800s, when missionaries translated the Bible into several Aboriginal languages. The practice has continued into the 20th and 21st centuries, with Australian Kriol becoming the first Australian language to have a complete Bible translation (completed in 2019).

By language

Currently, 54 Indigenous Australian languages, including two creoles and Plain English (intended to be easy for non-native English speakers in Indigenous Australian communities to understand). Several have a complete New Testament, but only one (Kriol) has a complete Bible with both the Old and New Testaments.

Aboriginal languages

Language	State/territory	Status
Adnyamathanha	Northern Territory	Portions completed
Alawa	Northern Territory	Portions completed
Alyawarr	Northern Territory	Portions completed
Anindilyakwa	Northern Territory	Portions completed
Anmatyerr	Northern Territory	Portions completed
Awabakal	New South Wales	Portions completed
Burarra	Northern Territory	New Testament completed
Dhuwa-Dhaŋu'mi	Northern Territory	Portions completed
Dhuwaya	Northern Territory	Portions completed
Dieri	Northern Territory	New Testament completed
Djambarrpuyŋu	Northern Territory	New Testament completed
Djinang	Northern Territory	Portions completed
Eastern Arrernte	Northern Territory	New Testament and portions of Old Testament completed
Gälpu	Northern Territory	Translation started
Gamilaraay	New South Wales	Portions completed
Garrwa	Northern Territory	Portions completed
Gumatj	Northern Territory	New Testament and portions of Old Testament completed
Gupapuyŋu	Northern Territory	Translation started
Gurindji	Northern Territory	Portions completed
Guugu Yimidhirr	Queensland	Portions completed
Kitja	Western Australia	Portions completed
Kriol	Northern Territory  Western Australia	Bible completed
Kukatja	Western Australia	Portions completed
Kuku-Yalanji	Queensland	New Testament and portions of Old Testament completed
Kunbarlang	Northern Territory	Portions completed
Kuninjku	Northern Territory	Portions completed
Kunjen	Western Australia	Portions completed
Kunwinjku	Northern Territory	New Testament and portions of Old Testament completed
Martu Wangka	Western Australia	Portions completed
Mawng	Northern Territory	Portions completed
Murrinhpatha	Northern Territory	Portions completed
Ndjébbana	Northern Territory	Portions completed
Ngaanyatjara	Western Australia	New Testament completed
Ngarrindjeri	South Australia	Portions completed
Nyangumarta	Western Australia	Portions completed
Nyungar	Western Australia	Portions completed
Pintupi-Luritja	Northern Territory	New Testament and portions of Old Testament completed
Pitjantjatjara	Northern Territory  South Australia	New Testament and portions of Old Testament completed
Plain English	Nationwide	Portions completed
Rembarrnga	Northern Territory	Portions completed
Thayore	Queensland	Portions completed
Tiwi	Northern Territory	Portions completed
Walmajarri	Western Australia	Portions completed
Wangurri	Northern Territory	Portions completed
Warlpiri	Northern Territory	New Testament and portions of Old Testament completed
Western Arrarnta	Northern Territory	New Testament and portions of Old Testament completed
Wik-Mungkan	Queensland	Portions completed
Worrorra	Western Australia	Portions completed
Wubuy	Northern Territory	New Testament and portions of Old Testament completed
Yanyuwa	Northern Territory	Portions completed
Yindjibarndi	Western Australia	Portions completed

Torres Strait Islander languages