One of the reasons we write in simple English is that we want to create tools that are accessible to as many English readers as possible. Another reason is “translatability.” Because the source language is so simple, the material is easy to translate. Our book, Simple Truths is now in 45 languages. Field testing has shown that each new translation project has resulted in a text that is both highly readable and easy to understand.

In January, Clear and Simple Media completed its newest translation of Simple Truths – Somali. The translation was commissioned by a group of evangelical movement leaders who are working with the sizeable Somalian population in the Minneapolis area. Because Somalia is among the countries with the lowest literacy rates in the world, many of the Somali immigrants do not read their own language. To make the book accessible to the non-literates in the population, we created an audio version of the book.

The materials are now in the hands of the end-users, and the first stages of field-testing have begun. We pray that both the books and the recordings of these books will be an asset. Pray with us for those who are working with the Somali people in Minnesota. We will keep you updated.