Overview
Bible Society Australia (BSA) is leading innovative Bible engagement by working to produce audio recordings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scriptures. These projects address cultural needs by aligning with oral traditions, making Scripture accessible to low-literacy individuals, and enhancing spiritual engagement through storytelling rather than written text.
Most people in Indigenous Australian communities are oral learners; around the world, an estimated two-thirds of people prefer to learn and communicate orally. This preference shapes their worldview and cultural identity from an early age.
Indigenous Australians primarily fall into the categories of primary and secondary oral learners. Primary oral learners may not read or possess a written language, while secondary oral learners can read but favour verbal, visual, and digital communication. Notably, younger generations, particularly those under 35, are increasingly secondary oral learners, making audio Bibles especially impactful for them.
Audio Bibles present the gospel in a format that is easily accessible, particularly for those with low literacy levels. Both children and adults engage more deeply with Bible stories when delivered in their heart language through audio formats. BSA’s audio Bible projects also aid in language preservation and literacy development, as audio Bible apps highlight text as it is spoken, serving as learning tools. With mobile apps and durable audio players designed for challenging environments, audio Bibles significantly enhance access to Scripture, fulfilling the linguistic, cultural, and spiritual needs of Indigenous communities.
Statistics
- 5 billion people around the world, on estimate, are oral learners
- 15 Indigenous Australian languages have Scripture translated that don’t yet have audio recordings available
- 21 of the 56 Indigenous languages with translated Scripture now have some audio available
If the appeal is oversubscribed or the project changes due to unforeseen reasons, we will reallocate remaining funds to similar projects.
