Professions in Bible Translation

Bible translation involves many stages and intricate processes that need several technical experts. The Bible is the Word of God and regardless of approaches and methodologies employed, it has to meet standards of accuracy, naturalness, and clarity. All translations have to be faithful to the original texts and several professionals play a role depending on the desired output. There are written translations and oral translations. Professions focusing on written translations include language assessment specialists, linguists, anthropologists, literacy specialists, translators, translation consultants, and scripture engagement specialists who all complement one another.

Before determining a Bible translation need, an assessment is done by specialists. Working with the local church to determine their interest for the task, the specialists review the language to check for dialectical differences and the most preferred dialect. If a need is determined, linguists do further analysis of the language so as to develop the writing system (alphabet), technically known as the orthography. This is done in stages and in each stage, the orthography is tested.

When a working alphabet is in place, a translation team is recruited from the community and the church if a viable church exists. It has been proven that when these recruits are trained in translation principles, interpretation of Scripture (exegesis), the use of computers, and specifically, the translation software, their chances of doing a good job increases tremendously. After recruiting, the drafting process begins. In some cases, it is at this stage that anthropologists help translators to understand the worldview, social structures, and culture of the target community so they can appreciate the cultural meanings of key terms, such as ‘blood’ or ‘Holy Spirit’, and how these would be translated.

As the language is being developed and Scripture drafting is progressing, simple materials that would help the community to learn to read, called primers, and other simple stories on different subjects are developed by the literacy specialists. These are linguists and educationists who understand the basics of learning (pedagogy). This process is essential in helping the community read their language easily and for testing the alphabet. This ensures that by the time the translation is completed, a sizeable group of the community would be fluent in reading their language and more so, the Bible.

Bible translation consultants then check whether the translation is accurate, clear, natural and faithful to the text. The checks are done against the Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic languages in order to avoid misinterpretations resulting from cultural or linguistic misunderstandings. Alongside, linguists collect words and make dictionaries through a software developed by SIL known as Flex, so that the developed language gets a reference for its vocabulary. In most cases, the dictionaries have referents in two or three languages.

Most translations start with the New Testament so that the gospel message reaches communities before translating the Old Testament. Some Bible stories and Bible study materials are produced by the scripture engagement specialists or consultants to assist the language communities to engage with the Scriptures as the process is going on. In most cases, when for instance, the Gospel of Luke is finished, it is dedicated and the community uses it right away. This ensures high early impact, even as translation of the other books is in progress. In some cases, in partnership with the Jesus Film team, the film is done to encourage community engagement with the Scriptures.

All the professionals involved in Bible translation work together towards its impact and sustainability in language communities.