What we do
Translation | Training | Literacy | Follow up
Translation
Our Unique Translation Approach
TWFTW aims to produce natural, accurate and clear translations of the Bible. Our teams translate, on average, 10% of the Bible per year. While we place more emphasis on conveying the meaning of the original text in a natural everyday style of language, we also want to remain faithful to the original author's literary style of writing, and the impact he wished to create on his readers. We endeavour to follow the approach of ‘literary functional equivalence’ in translation. To read more about this read our Approach to Translation document PDF.
Our Bible Translation Projects
TWFTW is currently involved in 373 Bible translation projects, both written and oral (Feb 25), in 32 different countries, on three continents. We have completed 94 New Testaments and 7 Full Bibles.
The Process of Translation
Translators usually prepare the first draft translation of a biblical book by hand, which is then entered into a computer. The 3 translators then check each other's work in a team (team check), and this is followed by an exegete (translation advisor) checking their work for accuracy. The draft then undergoes further checking by a team of trained reviewers, before it is tested in the community for clarity and naturalness.
Consultant Checking
Before publication can take place, a translation has to be checked by Bible translation consultants who are specialists in Biblical Greek, Hebrew and linguistics.
TWFTW has been able to consultant-check up to 10 linguistically related languages at a time, saving time and money. This process has become known as the ‘cluster approach’.
Such group consultations enhance the quality of a translation. The translation teams learn from one another's solutions to difficult passages. Group consultations have also proven to be a valuable training ground for trainee consultants.
Oral Bible Translation (OBT)
TWFTW is actively involved in Oral Bible Translation (OBT) to provide Scripture to oral cultures.
In partnership with Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH), TWFTW has initiated 52 OBT projects, with plans to start eight more to meet current goals. Many OBT projects have completed their first book and are working toward completing the New Testament orally within six years.
Sign Language Bible Translation
In response to the significant need for Bible translation for Deaf communities, TWFTW is expanding its capacity to undertake projects to translate the Bible into sign languages. There are over 350 sign languages, representing more than 70 million deaf people worldwide, which is why TWFTW has begun developing partnerships with key organizations to address this gap.
Training
Consultant Development Programme:
The objective is to produce qualified practice-oriented consultants in order to improve and ensure the quality of the translations we produce. All candidates on the programme need to have a master’s degree, or to be pursuing one, in a relevant discipline, such as biblical studies, biblical languages, linguistics, or cross cultural studies. The candidate must initially be recognised as a consultant-in-training (CIT). The CIT will be assigned to a supervisor and one or more mentors to assist them in their development towards becoming a qualified consultant who can work independently. Practical experience is achieved by attending field-based exegetical checking and by involvement in one or more Bible translation projects, including several mentored sessions with a qualified Bible translation consultant.
Training is a fundamental aspect of our work at TWFTW . We train people throughout the world in Bible translation. We offer a Diploma in Bible Translation programme and a Consultant Development programme. Since our training programme started, in 1981, more than 80% of students have gone on to be employed in the field of translation.
Diploma in Bible Translation
Our Diploma in Bible Translation programme, which was pioneering when it was first introduced by TWFTW back in 1981, now has different training events taking place every month across many different countries, through in-person and online training. The purpose of this course is to give those who feel called to Bible translation the opportunity to obtain practice-oriented training. Our focus is on building a core of trained and qualified indigenous Bible translators. Our method is five-fold:
Integrated: The course consists of formal, non-formal and on-the-job training, and typically takes four years to complete.
Holistic: We seek to develop the whole person. This includes attitudes, skills and knowledge that are crucial for the work of Bible translation.
Flexible: By adapting our programme to the requirements of the students and the location, we are able to deliver it effectively in different contexts.
Mobile: We seek to provide training in the countries of prospective translators, whether that be in Africa, Asia, or Eastern Europe, ensuring the least amount of disruption to their own lives and those of their communities.
Recognised: Our Diploma in Bible Translation is recognised by several academic institutions in South Africa, Ethiopia, and in India.
Literacy
We are currently involved in over 35 literacy programmes in Africa & Asia, and these are divided up as follows:
Ethiopia 1 | Nigeria 18 | Malawi 5
Asia 8 | SE Asia 5
Our Approach to Literacy
We work with language communities to plan and initiate mother-tongue literacy programmes alongside Bible translation. Many languages we work in have never had a writing system. Based on their sound system, a writing system is developed, usually using the alphabet of the state language as the basis (orthography). We provide training and workshops to participants in how to set up, implement and run literacy programmes in their communities. We emphasise community ownership, which includes helping them to develop the primers needed to teach reading and writing to the illiterate and the semi-literate, which can be used for both adults and children.
A coordinator is chosen from within the community to head up the work, and a literacy committee is established in each community with literacy teachers being trained to promote mother-tongue literacy in the community.
Why Mother-tongue?
Learning to read and write in one's mother tongue is easier than learning in a second language. That way one only has to learn one skill at a time, i.e. becoming literate, as opposed to learning to read and write and understand another language. One understands what one reads and it is immediately relevant to one's daily life and culture. It affirms one's value as a person because language and identity are closely linked. It has been shown that if a person's language is valued they feel valued themselves.
There are many cognitive, psychological, linguistic and social benefits to becoming literate in the mother-tongue. Those who have the foundation of education in their mother tongue are less likely to drop out of school and can more effectively contribute to the society and economy. Every effort goes into ensuring the successful implementation of mother-tongue literacy in communities in which the Bible is being translated.
Goals and Aims
Specific goals and methodologies differ from region to region. Where there is a strong church presence we are often able to promote the programme through the church. Otherwise, we aim to implement the programme through secular community leaders. Where primers contain no Christian materials, we trust that the newly literate will read the translated scriptures available.
Interesting and relevant literature is developed as readers need good literature such as compilations of folktales, local and oral history and monthly newspapers. These can then be developed by the people themselves. Our aim is a literate society.
Our ultimate goal is that people's lives will be transformed through reading and understanding the Word of God in their own language.
Follow up: Scripture Engagement
Anchoring Translated Scriptures in the Community
Once the scriptures have been translated, it is essential to ensure that they are being used. A sad reality is that some translations remain on the shelf, unused by the people for whom they were intended, and this is primarily due to a lack of scripture engagement.
An essential way to encourage scripture engagement is to involve the language community in the translation project right from the start. We involve the community in recruiting and choosing prospective translators. A committee of representative community members helps to run the project and review the translation right from the start.
The reviewing of the draft translation by the review committee and field-testing of the text in the community before it is published is part of the scripture awareness and engagement process. A portion of scripture is usually tested by hundreds of people before it is published.
Scripture is published as early as possible, usually within the first year of the start of the project (e.g. the Gospel of Mark). The first few publications are called trial versions and used in churches, Bible study groups and schools. Literate pupils who take the portions home can read them to illiterate family members. That way, feedback from the community is encouraged to improve future publication of the scriptures which fosters greater ownership.
Adult Literacy
Adult literacy is an important aspect of scripture engagement. It creates a readership of translated scriptures among individuals who were previously disadvantaged through being illiterate.
Audio and Braille Versions
Recording of scripture is essential for illiterate and blind members of the community. Our main partner in audio scripture production is Faith Comes by Hearing. In Malawi, a Braille version of the Sena New Testament has been produced by Torch Trust.
The Jesus Film
We partner with the Jesus Film project who have produced a film based on the Gospel of Luke. The voices of the film actors are dubbed using lip- synchronisation into each language. This is a very effective outreach tool and helps promote the use of the scriptures in the mother tongue. To see the Gamo people's response to the Jesus film, click here.