It is difficult to state exactly at what point the idea of creating CABTA, which became CABTAL in 1998, was born. Documents in our possession indicate that the idea of creating a translation body started around 1977, at which time various consultations and meetings took place in that regard all over Cameroon. In a document dated 25 October 1980, Mr. Karl GREBE of SIL highlights the design of such a project. The idea was to have an organization that will be permanent and present throughout the national territory of Cameroon, and attached to the body of Christ involved in Bible translation while being typically Cameroonian and having control over Cameroonians working within it.

These consultations initially took place in Yaoundé and by November 1981, similar discussions had been held in Yagoua, Garoua, Bafoussam, Ngaoundere, Bamenda, Nkongsamba, Tiko, and Douala.

It can be said that CABTAL is the result of a real desire shown by SIL and some of its members willing to see Nationals to take responsibility and work alongside them in this ministry of Bible translation. In fact, SIL has always desire to see more nationals involved in the task and ministry of mother tongue Bible translation. SIL was will to help start a local sister organization with which it could work and which would ultimately take over as need be. The need to see the local church convey the message of God as clearly as possible in the local language that is best understood was the rationale for setting up CABTAL. The goal of CABTAL was not to create new churches but to help existing local churches bring the Word of God to men in the language of their heart.

The distinctive aim of this ministry was to make CABTAL an arm of the Church in Cameroon, for the work of Bible translation, literacy and Scripture use in the mother tongue. CABTAL was to work in collaboration with SIL and Wycliffe Bible Translators.

It can be said that CABTAL was created for several reasons:

- To meet the need to have a purely Cameroonian body which upholds the vision of Bible translation.

- The need to give the Word of God to each Cameroonian in the language of his or her heart.

- To help Cameroonian Churches to carry out the Great Commission of Matthew 28: 19 in the area of Bible translation, literacy and promotion of Scripture use in the mother tongue

- The need to have an organization which will work closely with the Church in the area of Bible translation;

- The need to have an organization for the promotion of literacy and Scripture use in the mother tongue.

CABTAL, therefore, is a prime instrument at the service of the entire Church in Cameroon in the area of Bible translation, literacy and the promotion of Scripture use in the mother tongue.

CABTAL was officially recognized by the Ministry of Territorial Administration on October 28, 1987 and opened its doors on September 1, 1989.

In 1990, it initiated its first language project in the Kenyang language in Manyu Division, near Mamfe. The Mundani project also took off that same year. In 1991, the Basaa, Kom and Hedi projects were launched. CABTAL has dedicated New Testaments in two languages: the Ejagham language of the South-West Province in 1997; and the Koonzime language, whose New Testament was dedicated in March 2000. Work in Meta, Oku, Lamnso (Old Testament Project) and Bakossi is moving well, while the work Aghem, Bum, Babanki, Pinyin, Tunen, just moved to the production phase.The work in Awing, Ngomba and Ngombale are still in the phase of community mobilization and linguistic research. The Ngiemboon New Testament was completed in 2003 and has since then been sent for typesetting. The Kom New Testament was completed and dedicated on December 10, 2005. The Mundani New Testament was also completed and was dedicated on June 17, 2006. The Kenyang and Denya New Testament are completely drafted and are going through consistence checks by the Consultants. The Nomaande New Testament will go for typesetting end 2007 or early 2008.

Alongside translation, each language project undertakes intensive literacy activities. Literacy classes taught by teachers trained by CABTAL are operational in various regions where CABTAL is present. Training seminars are regularly being organized for new and already experienced teachers. Scripture Use is also a very important component of our ministry. We are helping churches and people to use translated Scriptures in all aspects of services and lives.