Uganda

The Aringa people live in Yumbe District in northwestern Uganda. They call their language Ãrị̃ngã Tị.

Some Aringa speakers live in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. SIL Uganda has been partnering with the organization Here is Life (HIL) to help the Aringa develop their language since 1995, beginning with linguistic analysis. Various literacy materials were produced while Bible translation was going on. The New Testament in Aringa was dedicated in 2014 and Old Testament translation is in progress. As well as translated Scriptures, several books have been produced in Aringa, including a primer, tone and vowel book, alphabet chart and alphabet book, story books - including Bible stories, and health books.

Translation Background

Here Is Life (a local NGO) started Bible translation work in 1993 by translating a tract entitled, "Mi Ura Ijo Drilaga Ingonia?" The book was printed in 1996, but was very hard for the Aringa people to read. In the same year a primer was developed and circulated to schools. It, too, was ineffective -- it was mixed with other languages, and there was no technical consultation by a linguist.

Dr. Dick Watson and Ms. Debby Hew of SIL worked on linguistic analysis for the Aringa language from 1995 to 1998. Mr. Isaac Anguyo, Executive Director of Here Is Life (HIL), approached them in Nairobi. Dr. Watson conducted the language analysis by correspondence until August of 1998, when he participated personally in the development of the first rough draft of the orthography/writing system. Kathie Turner (nee Spike) continued in a consultant role into 2002.

The Aringa translation team under HIL started translation with the help of SIL in 1998. Over the years SIL continued to serve the Aringa project through providing technical support and translation consultant help. The translation team of Barnabas D, Andrew A and James E finished translating the New Testament in 2012. Final checks, typesetting and printing took place in 2013. The New Testament was dedicated and launched in June 2014.