Innovation Brief 2: The Process of Church-Based Bible Translation
Stories of emerging Bible Translation in practice
This is the second in a series of four articles documenting progress and process within the Eubuone and Wanbel clusters supported by Global Partnerships. Information was compiled by the Mission Mutual Field Data Coordinator during a recent evaluation visit. For more details contact matt@missionmutual.org
The Eubuone and Wanbel clusters are supported by Global Partnerships using an innovative process combining church-centric and Oral Bible Translation approaches. Together these two clusters target over 150 languages primarily in two provinces of Papua New Guinea. In Milne Bay province, United Church is overseeing the work as it comprises the majority of church-goers in most Milne Bay language communities. In Madang province, church membership is distributed across multiple denominations. To facilitate unity, a local translation organization, Battle Inc., is mobilizing and equipping communities in Madang to create translation committees which represent all denominations present.
The role of Battle Inc. and United Church includes much of the work traditionally done by an international translation organization: providing training, project management, and supporting local translation teams. This unique model brought our team to the small island of Dobu, just east of mainland Papua New Guinea. There we watched Pastor Trevor sit with his daughter in front of a laptop, the generator humming outside. “Where is the picture of the wilderness?”. Rev. Trevor is a Scripture Authentication Elder (SAE), preparing for the initial drafting of the New Testament in Dobu language.
The resource he and his daughter were utilizing was created by SRV, embedded in the Audio Visual Translation Tool (AVTT) software, developed by American Bible Society. Reviewing this consultant-summarized compilation of exegetical notes was made easy due to its oral format and associated resources. The SRV material prepares SAEs and translation team leaders with necessary exegetical content as they guide translators through Biblical texts.
This familiarization process starts a cycle of translation initiated when the church or translation committee decide when translation should occur and what passages should be translated. After the SAE studies exegetical resources with the team leader, the entire translation team is called to begin their own familiarization and internalization. During this phase, SRV resources are used again, guiding the team through scripture listening and engaging activities which result in consistent oral retelling of the passage.
At this point, the translators record the passage using the AVTT software. Often, translators are split into two sub-teams to record two pericopes simultaneously. Then teams conduct peer review, listening to the other team’s recording to provide comments and edits.
A robust community review exercise happens next, ideally within days of peer review. The review can take different forms, but its purpose is to ensure the passage is comprehendible and the best expression of the local language. This process also builds trust for the translation within the community.
After redrafting the passage, the Scripture Authentication Elder reviews the text. The SAE, like Pastor Trevor, is theologically trained, trusted by the local church, and equipped with exegetical resources. Since the SAE speaks the local language, back translation is unnecessary and any questions or notes can be made directly to the team leader and translation team. With SAE approval, the passage is ready for use in the church. Community churches are encouraged to play the scripture during services and in other scripture engagement settings. The SAE engages with the local church to capture any further feedback pastors or community members might have about how the passage could be improved.
The process repeats until a book or set of books is completed. At this point, the SAE presents the recordings to a Scripture Review Board (SRB), made up of regional church leaders from any denomination participating in the work. The SAE will present to the SRB, highlighting the process utilized to complete the passages, and any key terms or ideas which were particularly challenging. The SRB will then decide if the passages meet their expectations of translation and give final approval for acceptance as scripture.
The translation process then begins again as new sections of the Bible are identified by the church to be translated next. In the next two Innovation Briefs, we’ll discuss how this process has an impact on the community and what challenges this work faces as it evolves and matures.
Meet the Team
Team Leader: Selected by the local church or translation committee, has some theological training and manages the logistical elements of the work. Speaks the local language and has some proficiency in a gateway language.
Translator: Selected by the local church or translation committee, speaks the local language, may or may not be able to read. Ideally can understand some of the gateway language
Scripture Authentication Elders: Selected by the local church or translation committee, one per translation team. Has significant theological training and is respected locally as a Christian leader. Is responsible for understanding and injecting exegetical resources into the process. Speaks local language and has proficiency in the gateway language.
Scripture Review Board: selected by a regional coalition of participating churches, ranging from 5-15 members. Have significant theological experience and are respected regionally as church leaders. Speak the gateway language well but may or may not speak any of the local languages.