THE IMPACT OF BIBLE TRANSLATION IN THE LINGUISTIC UNIFICATION AND SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT OF ROMA COMMUNITIES

Authors

  • Rafael Năstase, PhD Institutul Teologic Creștin după Evanghelie „Timotheus”, București
  • Daniel-Samuel Petrilă

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19552463

Keywords:

Roma, Romani language, evangelicals, empowerment

Abstract

The impact of Bible translation in the linguistic unification and social empowerment of Roma communities.
Starting from relevant historical examples, such as the translations during the Reformation period or those in the Romanian area, this paper analyses the efforts to translate the Bible into Romani language, the linguistic and cultural challenges encountered, as well as the socio-cultural impact of this intitiative. Through a qualitative and ethnographic approach, the article explores how access to the Scripture in Romani language can contribute to the revitalization of this language, the strengthening of cultural identity and the increase of social cohesion among Roma people. The research highlights the transformative potential of a Bible translation adapted to the linguistic and cultural context of a vulnerable community.

References

• Bible, New International Version.

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• BARNWELL, Katharinam, Translating the Bible - an introductory course for mother tongue translators, Wycliffe Romania Association; translation into Romanian by Ina Bulzan, 2017.

• BEDIAKO, Kwame, Christianity in Africa: The Renewal of a Non-Western Religion, Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press, 1995.

• BEEKMAN, J., & Callow, J. C., Translating the Word of God. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Zondervan Publishing House, 1974.

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• LOEWEN, J.A., Orality and Translation in Multilingual Contexts, SIL International, 2004.

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• MOISESCU, Sorin-Cristian, I Mujdes Katar o Lukas Tradusi Kerzi romanes hidirca (The Gospel after Luke translated into the Romani hâdârește language, Roma literature, lexicon, Brașov, Etnous Publishing House, 2025.

• MATRAS, Yaron, Romani in Britain: The Afterlife of a Language, Edinburgh University Press, 2010.

• WALLS Andrew F., The Missionary Movement in Christian History: Studies in the Transmission of Faith, New York, Orbis Books, 1996.

Web links

https://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=2622&langId=ro

https://www.mediafax.ro/social/copiii-romi-au-risc-de-sase-ori-maimare-decat-ceilalti-sa-abandoneze-scoala-11253136

https://www.salvaticopiii.ro/sites/ro/files/2024-04/doar-22-dintre-copiii-romi-urmeaza-studii-liceale-comparativ-cu-populatia-majoritara-unde-ponderea-urca-la-80.pdf

https://biblia-rromani.ro/

https://www.bible.com/audio-bible-app-versions/3114-kald2020-kalderash-romani-cornilescu-bible-2020-(romania)

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Published

2026-05-07

How to Cite

THE IMPACT OF BIBLE TRANSLATION IN THE LINGUISTIC UNIFICATION AND SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT OF ROMA COMMUNITIES. (2026). Journal for Freedom of Conscience (Jurnalul Libertății De Conștiință), 13(2), 644-668. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19552463