THE IMPACT OF BIBLE TRANSLATION ON THE PRESERVATION OF ITANGIKOM, LAMNSO AND MUNGAKA

This study investigates the role of Bible translation in preserving Itangikom, Lamnso, and Mungaka, three minority languages in the North West Region of Cameroon. Utilizing a mixedmethods approach, data were gathered through interviews with 05 linguists and 10 translators, questionnaires to 150native speakers drawn from the three communities, focus group discussions with community elders, and analysis of translated texts. Guided by the Ethnolinguistic Vitality Theory [1] the Sociolinguistic Relativity Theory [3] and the Language Planning and Policy Theories of Spolsky (2004), the research found out that Bible translation significantly enhances literacy by standardizing orthographies and developing church-based literacy programs. Notably, over 68% of 150 respondents first encountered written texts in their native language through religious materials [8]. Bible translations also proved as a tool of cultural identity by valourizing the languages, preserving their orality, instilling community pride, contextualizing worship practices and enhancing intergenerational language transmission within the three communities. Despite these positive outcomes, challenges such as limited funding, resource scarcity, the raging Anglophone crisis and war, and the dominance of Pidgin English and global languages - (English and French) [9] persist. The study recommends increased investment in translation projects, integration of translated texts into formal education, digitization of materials, and sustained advocacy campaigns to enhance community engagement. Overall, Bible translation emerges as a powerful tool for linguistic documentation, cultural preservation and the promotion of educational equity