New language for New Testament

The New Testament is to be translated to Jamaican Patois for the first time Credit: PA

Jesus becomes "Jiizas" as, for the first time, "Di Nyuu Testiment" is being translated into Jamaican Patois.

The "controversial" translation is to be launched today (13 October) at Villa Park, Birmingham.

It is the result of 20 years' work by the Bible Society of the West Indies, and is said to be the first time that Patois has ever been comprehensively written.

Rev Courtney Stewart, general secretary of the Bible Society of the West Indies, says that having the Bible in Patois means the language has 'come of age'.

ENGLISH V PATOIS

And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women.''

Di ienjel go tu Mieri an se tu ar se, "Mieri, mi av nyuuz we a go mek yu wel api. Gad riili riili bles yu an im a waak wid yu aal di taim.''

‘Behold a virgin shall be with child’

Lisn op! Di uman we neehn slip wid no man a-go get beibi

‘Hail though that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.’

‘Mieri, mi av nyuuz we a-gomek yu wel api. Gad riili riili bles yu an im a waak wid yu all di taim.’