We’ve added two new Bibles to our online library! The first two additions of 2012 are the Czech Bible21 and Hawai‘i Pidgin translations.

The Czech Bible21 is a “contemporary translation of the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek Scriptures into modern-day Czech language” that steers a middle ground between the extremes of literalism and free paraphrase. Since its publication in 2009, it’s become widely popular through the Czech church. We’re grateful to its publisher Biblion for making it available on Bible Gateway!

The Hawai‘i Pidgin translation is a very unique one. Here’s what Wycliffe Bible Translators has to say about a language that many English speakers may not know exists:

It is the native speech of about half of those born or brought up in Hawaii, regardless of racial origin. It is used unofficially in courts, sometimes with interpreters. It is used in personal communications, blue collar, farm, and fishing work, and among friends in nearly all social groups. Plays, novels, short stories, and essays are produced constantly. It is accepted by many as an important part of local culture, a distinctive local language; but it is looked down on by others. 50% of children in Hawaii do not speak English when entering school, yet English as a second language is generally not taught to Pidgin-speaking children. Most songs are in Hawaiian or English. It is used in some radio and television programs.

Hawai‘i Pidgin developed in the early 1900s when people from around the Pacific came to Hawai‘i to work on sugarcane and pineapple plantations, and needed a language that could communicate on an everyday basis across many different cultures. The children of these workers grew up speaking Hawai‘i Pidgin as their native language. Today, it’s evolved beyond its roots as an English/Cantonese/Portugese/etc. amalgamation, and is a full-blown language in which native speakers talk about everything from technical matters to spiritual topics.

We’re thrilled to see this translation made available to Hawai‘i Pidgin speakers in the language they’re most comfortable with.

Both Bibles are available through the drop-down menu on the Bible Gateway homepage.