We are excited to share our story as we follow God's leading down a new path in life...
We became official members of Wycliffe as of August 2010, and this website gives some background and current developments in our journey as linguists and translators on a language development project in Oaxaca, Mexico. For those unfamiliar with Wycliffe, it is a faith-based, non-profit organization that recruits people to work with indigenous communities to develop written languages and community literacy. A major goal is to partner with churches and local Christian leaders to provide Bible translations for people in their birth language, the "language of their heart." Another major goal of language projects is to promote community development through literacy and education. Education and literacy provide essential tools that enable the indigenous people to preserve their cultural identity and history, improve public health, be more productive in agriculture and commerce, rise above poverty and exploitation, and face the challenges brought to their communities by increasing globalization.
Destination: Oaxaca, Mexico...
Click on the picture to learn more about Oaxaca.
Although the majority of Mexicans are Spanish speakers, indigenous communities made up of descendants of ancient cultures such as the Olmecs, Toltecs, Aztecs, Zapotecs, Mixtecs, and Mayas exist throughout the country. In some areas they still represent the dominant population group. The government agency responsible for preserving and protecting Mexico's indegenous cultures (INALI) reports that over 150 languages from 20 distinct language families are spoken in Mexico today. Ethnologue: Languages of the World has catalogued over 300 languages and dialects.
The state of Oaxaca is located along the Pacific Ocean in a mountainous region of southeastern Mexico. It is home to sixteen different ethnolinguistic groups, and there are considerable differences in the customs and dialects spoken in the individual village communities within each group. The people groups of Oaxaca include the Amuzgos, Chatinos, Chinantecos, Chocho, Chontales, Cuicateco, Huave, Ixcatecos, Mazatecos, Mixes, Mixtecs, Popoloco, Tacuates, Trique, Zapotecs and the Zoque.
The state of Oaxaca is located along the Pacific Ocean in a mountainous region of southeastern Mexico. It is home to sixteen different ethnolinguistic groups, and there are considerable differences in the customs and dialects spoken in the individual village communities within each group. The people groups of Oaxaca include the Amuzgos, Chatinos, Chinantecos, Chocho, Chontales, Cuicateco, Huave, Ixcatecos, Mazatecos, Mixes, Mixtecs, Popoloco, Tacuates, Trique, Zapotecs and the Zoque.
Land of diversity...
Click on the picture for an overview of the history and people of Oaxaca.
Of the 31 states in Mexico, Oaxaca has the most ethnic and cultural diversity. Its rugged terrain has had an isolating effect on the many rural villages, so over the years they have maintained their distinct tribal languages, ancestral traditions, and cultural identities. In the state of Oaxaca, 1.13 million people speak an indigenous language, and about 25 percent of those indigenous language speakers do not speak Spanish (as reported in the 2005 census).
Wycliffe
Click on the picture to go to the Wycliffe website.
Wycliffe's Vision: "God's Word accessible to all people in the language of their heart."
Since 1942, Wycliffe has played a part in over 700 Scripture translations around the world. Still, over 350 million people do not have a Bible in their own language. Of the more than 6,900 languages spoken in the world today, over 2,000 languages have no Bible translation. Wycliffe facilitates partnerships between professional linguists, anthropologists, educators, and local churches to meet the goal of providing Bible translations to these communities.
Since 1942, Wycliffe has played a part in over 700 Scripture translations around the world. Still, over 350 million people do not have a Bible in their own language. Of the more than 6,900 languages spoken in the world today, over 2,000 languages have no Bible translation. Wycliffe facilitates partnerships between professional linguists, anthropologists, educators, and local churches to meet the goal of providing Bible translations to these communities.
Using our website...
Due to the personal nature of some of the content and photos on our website, some pages are password protected. If you would like access to these pages, please use the form on the "contact us" page to request the password.
You may use any materials from this website for personal, noncommercial use only. You may not distribute, modify, transmit, reuse, repost, or use any such materials for public or commercial purposes without written permission from Aaron or Christy Hemphill. Please use the form on the "contact us" page to contact us.
You may use any materials from this website for personal, noncommercial use only. You may not distribute, modify, transmit, reuse, repost, or use any such materials for public or commercial purposes without written permission from Aaron or Christy Hemphill. Please use the form on the "contact us" page to contact us.