Bible Translations Save Cultures, Spark Koran Translations in Post-Soviet (fwd link)

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Bible Translations Save Cultures, Spark Koran Translations in Post-Soviet

September 26, 2008
WINDOW ON EURASIA
Paul Goble
Georgia

Translations of the Bible into 85 languages of the peoples of the former Soviet
space over the last 35 years not only are helping these communities to survive
but in many cases are stimulating translations of the Koran into the
vernacular, thus laying the foundation for the nationalization of Islam.

Thirty-five years ago, a small group of Russian émigré religious activists
formed the Institute for the Translation of the Bible in Helsinki, Finland.
Since that time, its staff has overseen the translation of the Bible into 85
languages of Eurasia, including many that did not have a written form before
these translations were completed.

This week, the institute, together with the Institute of Linguistics of the
Russian Academy of Sciences held a remarkable conference on "The Translation of
the Bible as a Factor of the Preservation and Development of the Languages of
Russia and the Countries of the CIS.

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http://georgiandaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8012&Itemid=65