‘Reading the Bible in my native language changed everything for me!’

I was born in Kingston, Jamaica in April 1967. English is the official language of Jamaica, but I grew up speaking Jamaican Creole at home - an English-based Patois with West African, Taíno, Irish, Spanish, Hindustani, Portuguese, Chinese, and German influences.

I learned English when I went to school and I came to the UK in September 1987 to join my husband.

In December 2023 when visiting family in Jamaica, I met a team from Wycliffe Caribbean, a member of the Bible translation organisation Wycliffe Global Alliance. They gave me a copy of the Jamaican New Testament and a Proclaimer - a solar-powered audio Bible designed for use in ‘Faith Comes By Hearing’ listening groups.

In December 2023 when visiting family in Jamaica, I met a team from Wycliffe Caribbean, a member of the Bible translation organisation Wycliffe Global Alliance.

The Jamaican New Testament (JNT) was published by the Bible Society of the West Indies in 2012 which coincided with Jamaica’s 50th Anniversary as an independent nation. 

In 2020, work began on the Old Testament. Four books have been completed and three of these have been published - Jonah, Ruth and Esther. Genesis has been translated but not yet published. The work on the Old Testament is continuing with a group of mother tongue translators supported by The Seed Company and local churches.

There is also ongoing partnership with the Jamaica Language Unit of the University of the West Indies. Joseph T. Farquharson heads up the Jamaican Language Unit and was the Jamaican linguist consultant on dialogue in the Bob Marley biopic ‘One Love’ starring Kingsley Ben-Adir.

For me, reading the Bible in creole was emotional. It made me understand that God speaks my heart language. I felt at home and closer to God.

For me, reading the Bible in creole was emotional. It made me understand that God speaks my heart language. I felt at home and closer to God.

I enjoy reading and sharing 1 Corinthians 13 in the Creole Bible (1 Korintiyanz 13) especially verses 4 -7. The passage comes to life and to me is more meaningful hearing it in Jamaican Creole.

Wen sumadi av lov iina dem aat, dem kain tu piipl an dem tek taim wid dem. Dem no red yai ar gwaan buosi-buosi. Piipl we av lov iina dem aat no lov fi shuo aaf. 5 Dem no disrispek ada piipl an dem no du tingz fi elp demself wan. Piipl we av lov iina dem aat no iizi fi get beks an dem no av op piipl iina dem aat. 6 Dem no selibriet wen dem si iivl tingz a gwaan, bot dem wi selibriet wen dem ier di chuut. 7 Piipl we av lov iina dem aat neva eva gi op no mata wa apm tu dem an dem neva tap biliiv iina Gad. Piipl we av lov iina dem aat chos Gad fi tek kier a dem an dem wi go chuu eniting we riich dem an no fos ar komplien. (Jamaican Creole)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (NIV)

Listening to the Bible in the Jamaican Creole was so life transforming that I was inspired to share this with as many people as possible. I attended a training course run by Wycliffe Caribbean and started a Listening Group. We meet online every Thursday from 7-8pm and listen to a few Bible passages, followed by a discussion. Sometimes we invite church leaders to share with us.

So far we have studied The Gospel of Matthew (Matyu), Revelation (Revilieshan) and some of the Old Testament translations including Ruth (Ruut), Jonah (Juona) and Esther (Esta). We are currently studying Romans (Romanz).

I am so grateful to read the scriptures in my heart language, and want to share it with everyone! 

To hear the Bible in Jamaican Creole, you can listen online via bible.is or download the Jamaican Creole Bible app via Google Play store. For details on the Jamaican New Testament Listening Group please visit our Facebook page