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Dr William Cameron “Uncle Cam” Townsend

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Dr William Cameron “Uncle Cam” Townsend

Birth
Corona, Riverside County, California, USA
Death
23 Apr 1982 (aged 85)
Waxhaw, Union County, North Carolina, USA
Burial
Waxhaw, Union County, North Carolina, USA Add to Map
Plot
Between the México-Cárdenas Museum and the Museum of the Alphabet
Memorial ID
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Christian Missionary and Bible Translator, founded Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL), Wycliffe Bible Translators (WBT), and Jungle Aviation and Radio Service (JAARS, Inc.) Endeavoring to sell Spanish Bibles in Guatemala in 1917 and 1918, Townsend encountered many people who did not understand Spanish. As they did not have a written form of their own language, Cakchiquel, he redirected his efforts from selling Bibles to learning the language of the Cakchiquels, analyzing the grammar, developing an alphabet, and eventually translating the New Testament (Wikipedia). This became a model for reaching speakers of other minority languages and led to the establishment of the organizations noted above. His biography and others significant to the cause of Bible translation and linguistics (e.g. Ken Pike) may be found in the history of Wycliffe Bible Translators on their website.
Christian Missionary and Bible Translator, founded Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL), Wycliffe Bible Translators (WBT), and Jungle Aviation and Radio Service (JAARS, Inc.) Endeavoring to sell Spanish Bibles in Guatemala in 1917 and 1918, Townsend encountered many people who did not understand Spanish. As they did not have a written form of their own language, Cakchiquel, he redirected his efforts from selling Bibles to learning the language of the Cakchiquels, analyzing the grammar, developing an alphabet, and eventually translating the New Testament (Wikipedia). This became a model for reaching speakers of other minority languages and led to the establishment of the organizations noted above. His biography and others significant to the cause of Bible translation and linguistics (e.g. Ken Pike) may be found in the history of Wycliffe Bible Translators on their website.

Inscription

‘Dear Ones: by love serve one another. Finish the task. Translate the Scriptures into every language.' —Uncle Cam.

Beloved friend and leader.
Loving husband, father and grandfather

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