The 'Common Hausa' Bible: Good News For Catholics?
The publication in 2015 of a new translation of the Hausa Bible in simplified Hausa, inspired by the Good News Bible and entitled “Hausa Common Language Bible” is a significant event for Christians in Northern Nigeria. It has prompted this article on the history of Bible translations in Hausa and, in particular their reception by the Catholic Church in Nigeria. The translations of 1932 and 1979 had a positive reception and have been used extensively in the Liturgy and catechesis of that Church. The new 'simplified' translation, however, poses some problems for Catholics, as explained in this article. The author is forced – reluctantly - to counsel against its acceptance by the Catholic Church.
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