Qualifications for Translation Consultants. "WHY ARE YOU CORRECTING GOD'S WORD???"

Qualifications for Translation Consultants.
A Statement from The Forum of Bible Translation Agencies.

I was given my own class in Theology and Multi-media to teach
as a Freshman in Bible College, under the auspices of the Academic Deen.

So, I had plenty to learn. One of the first things that struck me
that I'll never forget
was the shock on a Foreign Exchange student's face when he asked me,
"WHY ARE YOU CORRECTING GOD'S WORD?"

His culture obviously had a more Humble Respect
and Veneration for "THE HOLY BIBLE"
then for him to just "treat it like it was any other book."

It wasn't just me, of course. Somehow, our Baptist Mission Statement
had migrated into having every 18-year-old kid,
or special church lady with a Concordance,
going about "CORRECTING GOD'S WORD", like it was The Latest Craze.

That gave me pause, at the time, and I thought to myself like,
"WHICH ONE OF US?
COULD EVEN COME UP WITH THE SIMPLEST QUALIFICATIONS
FOR BEING A BIBLE TRANSLATOR or A TRANSLATION "CONSULTANT", etc.?"

Much less, to take it upon ourselves to always be saying,
"The BIBLE is WRONG THERE!! ..TRUST MEEEEE!!!"

REALLY?

We can't even always find Bible Translators these days
with solid (or any?) testimonies of Salvation.

So, I came across this page that might help us along,
with a little hint, or two.

(PRAISE GOD! Neither of my Pastors were
the "What The Bible Should Have Said there was..." - types!)

Introduction,
Interpersonal Skills,
Academic Qualifications,
Translation Skills and Experience,
Language and Cross-cultural Skills,
Skills in Organization and Planning,
Consultancy Skills,
Professional Standards,
Processes of Consultant Development,
Formal Recognition of Consultants,
Subscribing Organizations,

Introduction.
"One of the ways in which the member organizations
of the Forum of Bible Translation Agencies can cooperate
is by sharing our translation consultant resources
(as local situations and availability permit).

"While it is recognized that member organizations appoint their consultants
and may have their own internal required qualifications,
in order to facilitate cooperation in the sharing of consultant resources,
it was agreed to adopt a joint statement on minimum standards
for qualifications for translation consultants.
This aims to ensure a standard of qualifications,
skills, and experience that is acceptable to all organizations involved.

"The statement focuses on professional qualifications. It is understood
that all cooperating organizations, as members of The Forum,
have identified themselves
as being within the mainstream of historical Christianity.

"This statement has been discussed over a period of three years,
has been circulated widely in each member organization,
and has been formally agreed upon
by The Forum of Bible Translation Agencies,

Interpersonal Skills.
"Some of the most important qualifications for a translation consultant
are in the field of interpersonal relations. Consultants must have the ability
to relate well with others of different cultural backgrounds.
Consultants must be sensitive to different situations,
tolerant of different viewpoints,
able to listen and learn, and also able to give an appropriate lead when needed.
They must be good teachers and able to communicate effectively,
both in writing and in speaking.

Academic Qualifications.

Linguistics:
"A minimum of one academic year of training in descriptive linguistics.
Areas to be covered include sociolinguistics, phonology, grammar,
discourse studies, cognitive linguistics, pragmatics, semantics,
and language typology.

Cross-cultural studies:
"At least one graduate (or upper undergraduate) level course in anthropology
or cross-cultural studies.

Biblical languages:
"A good knowledge of New Testament Greek
and/or Biblical Hebrew (preferably both).
More precisely, the minimum standard expected
is a basic knowledge of the morphology, syntax,
and discourse structure of the language, the ability to make use of lexicons
and other reference materials on the language, also of commentaries
that refer directly to the original text, the ability to read the original text
with understanding (with the help of reference tools),
and a commitment to use and develop this knowledge.

Biblical studies:
"A minimum of one academic year of concentrated study
at the graduate (or upper undergraduate) level
in the Old Testament and New Testament. Areas to be covered include
Biblical languages (see above), principles and practice of Biblical exegesis,
and the historical and cultural background of the Bible.
"Translation consultants should normally have an M.A. or a Ph.D.
or the equivalent in one of the above areas (or a related discipline),
and the minimum described above in the others. Formal qualifications may,
however,
occasionally be waived where the person concerned has other special strengths
and/or has demonstrated his or her competence through long-service
and/or through the publications he or she has authored.

Translation Skills and Experience.
"A consultant should:

• "Have received training in translation principles (either through participating in a formal course or through personal tutoring from an experienced consultant) and have participated in translation workshops and training programs on the field;
• "Have had in-depth experience working on a translation project in one language over a prolonged period of time;
• "Be committed to the principles of functional equivalence/meaning-based translation while also showing sensitivity to local attitudes and situations regarding specific translation styles.

Language and Cross-cultural Skills.
"A consultant should have an understanding
of the characteristics of the languages
in the area of expected service. Usually, a consultant
should also understand
and be able to speak fluently at least one language of the area,
including any major language spoken in the area which is likely
to be a medium of interaction with translation teams and church leaders.
(Language learning may often be combined with the experience
of working with one translation project in depth over a period of time.
This could in some cases be a major language of the area.)

"A consultant should have had experience of living
for an extended period of time
in a culture different from his or her own.

Skills in Organization and Planning.
"A consultant should have demonstrated the ability
to organize personal study projects
and have had personal experience cooperating in the planning
and organization of a translation project.

Consultancy Skills.
"A consultant should have received training in consultant techniques
and orientation to the role and responsibilities of a translation consultant.
This will usually be through participating in a consultant training seminar
and also through a close association with a senior consultant
over a period of time in an apprenticeship or mentoring relationship.

Professional Standards.
"Translation consultants must have a high standard of professional integrity
and an ongoing commitment to increase their knowledge
and develop their skills
in ways that will help them to become increasingly effective in their service as consultants.

Processes of Consultant Development.
"The processes that contribute to consultant development will usually include:

• "Formal training, as described above
• "Personal reading and study
• "Apprenticeship/mentoring relationship with an experienced consultant
• "Experience in translation and consulting
• "Participation in a translation consultant training seminar,

con't

 

Formal Recognition of Consultants.
"For consultants who are to be mutually recognized by all cooperating Bible Translation Organizations, the qualifications listed in the above statement are standard.

"In order for a consultant to be formally recognized, their qualifications
will be reviewed by the Regional or Area translation coordinator
or equivalent officers for UBS and SIL, and the equivalent officers
for whatever other Bible Translation Organizations are active
in the area or region concerned. This action is initiated on the recommendation
of the local administration of the organization
with whom the person concerned is working,
and in consultation with that local administration.


Subscribing Organizations.

• Evangel Bible Translators
• Institute for Bible Translation
• International Bible Society
• Lutheran Bible Translators
• Pioneer Bible Translators
• United Bible Societies
• SIL International
• Wycliffe Bible Translators

 

WOW!

Oh mon dieu, you woulda sure gottem, if they were here, today!

Strong Work!

 

Dear Mr. Linguistics aficionado, (and, Bible too, no doubt),

God has a Name in French.


Ils croient en de nombreux faits sur le Très-Haut.

...

Ref. notes from the Peanut Gallery:


Joe Devney
Linguist and Writer

"If you believe that saying “oh, my God” is a sin, then saying “oh, my gosh” is a way of avoiding that sin. You are deliberately not taking the Lord’s name in vain.

The word gosh is one of many words like that: dang, heck, jeez."

That was a real nice try, but I believe his last three words give him away.


Toby Dillon
Lifelong follower of Christ.

"When you say OMG are you saying "oh my gosh"
or are you saying God's name in vain; "oh my God"?"

"There is, in the end, no difference. We tend to try to rationalize it by saying “That word doesn’t mean that thing!” but the reality is that without “Oh my god,” “Omigosh” would never be."

Jody Gattey
A student and teacher of the Bible for 45 years.
Is saying "Oh my God" using the Lord's name in vain?
"Yes, it is, unless your communication is to Him. For example, if I saw a terrible accident and had no words to instantly make a sensible prayer, but said “Oh my God”, I am calling on God to help in that situation. If it is only a common expression, then it is using the Lord's name in vain. ‘In vain’ means for no reason, or for nothing, or using any of His names like its just another ordinary word with no reverence.

"The fad used to be “oh God”, or just “God!” or “Jesus”, and currently the fad is “OMG”…. People don’t realize what they are saying because it has become very common these days. It is another ‘sign of the times’, meaning the End Times or Last Days when the world becomes increasingly evil.

"We should not misuse God’s name, but always honor Him and talk about Him with reverance. In the Bible times, and still some Jews today, do not feel worthy to say or write His complete name. They write G_d, simply because they understand He is so far above us and so great. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (in Proverbs and Psalms). ‘Fear’ here means reverence, but it also means a healthy fear too, knowing He hears and sees all things and we will be held accountable to Him one day.

"Jesus said: “I say unto you that all will give account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36–37)

"The words that we speak are important and tell a lot about us.

"EDIT: Three years after writing this answer I want to add one more interpretation of using the Lord’s name in vain. I heard a missionary friend say this in his sermon and after thinking about it, I felt it was insightful. He said we take the Lord’s name when we say we are a CHRISTian, and if we are not living the Christian life, then we are taking His name in vain."
...

I plead, "lost in translation" (cap, or not);

I had small 'd', 'dieu".

My goodness! interjection

Oh mon Dieu!