Translation Resource Ecosystem: An Overview
Acquisition and Development of open-access tools, texts, helps, and data to equip church-led translation.
1. What is the TRE?
The Need
Many local churches worldwide urgently need the Word of God in their own languages and many of them are translating the Bible as part of their theological formation. But they are facing a serious challenge: they need access to high quality biblical and translation resources to be able to produce trustworthy Bible translations in their own languages. These resources must be simultaneously:
Available in reusable technology that enables the biblical resources to be used in any way necessary to accelerate Bible translation into all remaining languages.
Available under open licenses so that the church has the freedom to massively increase the availability and usefulness of the biblical resources.
The Translation Resource Ecosystem (TRE) intends to meet this need.
The Collaborators
The TRE is a key priority of the Innovation Lab’s intent to equip the global church to achieve acceleration in Bible translation.
This intent is supported by the generosity from a growing number of publishers who are creating open-licensed Bible translation resources intended for use by global church translators. Recent developments in the domain of computer technology are also contributing to an optimal context for the Translation Resource Ecosystem.
2. Open-Licensed TRE Technology
Open Components Ecosystem Strategy
Acknowledging the proposal advocating for a paradigm shift in Bible technology development, the Innovation Lab endorses the transition from a model reliant on artisanal craftsmanship to one emphasizing interchangeable components. This shift mirrors the benefits observed in interchangeable parts manufacturing, promising easier reuse and maintenance of key functionalities. Moreover, it facilitates collaboration among developers from diverse regions, fostering a global network of innovation in Bible technology. The intentional fostering of a globally collaborative ecosystem, characterized by interchangeable parts or “open components,” signals a new era of innovation. By maximizing “constructive competition” while mitigating “destructive competition”, it creates a fertile ground for nonlinear innovation.
Ultimately, the TRE is an open component ecosystem as it enables the Church to participate in the creation, distribution, and utilization of Bible translations resources and technologies.1
Technology Characteristics (To Be Considered ‘TRE’ Tech)
To be integrated within the Translation Resource Ecosystem (TRE), technologies must adhere to a set of criteria that ensure they align with our mission to facilitate church-led translation efforts through open and accessible means. The requirements are as follows:
Open-Licensed: Technologies must be distributed under open licenses such as BSD or MIT equivalent, which permit unrestricted use, modification, and redistribution. This openness is vital for church-led communities to utilize and adapt technologies without facing legal or financial barriers.
Componentized Architecture: Technologies should be constructed using a modular design as much as possible, allowing components to be independently created, enhanced, and replaced. This modular approach promotes collaborative development and contributes to a more agile and adaptable ecosystem.
Interoperable: To enable collaboration across the diverse landscape of translation initiatives, technologies must be capable of integrating and communicating with other systems.
Church-based: The technology must encourage and support the governance and execution of translation projects by the church community, reinforcing the principle of church-based translations.
User-friendly: Intuitive usability is essential. Technologies within the TRE must be accessible to individuals with varying levels of technical proficiency.
In addition to these characteristics, technologies should be made accessible for review and distribution. Alignment with these characteristics is expected to ensure consistency of mission and values, thus maintaining the integrity and purpose of the ecosystem.
Access to these technologies is currently managed by the respective developing entity. Establishing a central repository is part of the Innovation Lab’s future plans. You are welcome to contact the Innovation Lab as needed to facilitate a connection to the developing entities for availability and access.
Please reach out to lab@eten.bible and learn how you can participate.
3. Open-Licensed Resources
Libraries
In order to provide a library of resources that is broadly useful and extensible over time, while also providing a curated selection of resources that are highly valuable for church-based Bible translators all over the world, the Aquifer will implement a two-library model. The Core Library is the default library and is composed of the resources and languages defined in the Strategic Languages Initiative. The Extended Library provides additional resources that will be optionally available to users, as desired. The Aquifer requires CC BY, CC BY-SA, CC0, or public domain licenses.2
Aquifer Core Library: A curated library of the highest-value biblical and translation resources that equip the global church to understand the Bible and translate it effectively. These resources (see figure on page 4) are being proactively translated into the most strategic 16 languages and interlinked for maximal usefulness.
Aquifer Extended Library: Additional open-licensed biblical resources that may be useful to some in the global church for understanding & translating the Bible.
More resources are needed and will be available in the Bible Aquifer beyond the Aquifer Core Library. As resource needs from the global church are progressively understood, the Aquifer Extended Library’s resourcing and functionality will be updated accordingly. The Lab’s encouragement is to open license and make available any additional resources that may meet the progressively understood needs of the global church for translation.
Open-Licensed Content for the Core Library
4. Bible Aquifer & Bible Well
To bring the vision of the TRE to life, the Innovation Lab, together with BiblioNexus, has spearheaded the development of two groundbreaking initiatives: the Bible Aquifer and the Bible Well. These systems serve as access points of resources, offering translation teams unprecedented access to a wealth of biblical and translation materials.
The Bible Aquifer is the foundation of this ecosystem, housing a diverse array of resources meticulously curated to empower translation efforts. Meanwhile, the Bible Well app acts as a central reference point, providing users with seamless access to essential resources and tools. Together, these initiatives represent a transformative step forward in the realm of Bible translation, combining cutting-edge technology with open licensing principles to unlock the full potential of global collaboration.
Find out more details about the Bible Aquifer and Bible Well here.
5. Get Involved
Your involvement is crucial in advancing the TRE’s mission of empowering the global church through accessible biblical and translation resources and tools. Get involved by: praying for God’s provision, providing resources by releasing content under open licenses, engaging with the TRE technology developer community, and getting connected with the Lab to contribute ideas and insights.
Contact the Lab at lab@eten.bible with questions, comments, or ideas.
This article is available for download:
