Oral Bible Translation and Its Role in the Future of Bible Translation

by Bronwen Cleaver

The Bible Translator 2023, Vol. 74(1) 5–20

This article is about oral Bible translation (OBT), its key features, and how it differs from both written Bible translation and oral Bible storying. The author draws on her own experience as a Translation Advisor on an OBT team, and also from interaction with other OBT teams around the world. The article proposes that internalisation is the key component or “ingredient” in OBT, and also discusses emotional exegesis and voice prosody as essential features of the oral translation process. Ideas are offered on how consultant checking of OBT differs from that of written Bible translation. The article ends by recommending intensive training on internalisation for all Bible translation teams, the development of notes on emotional exegesis and performance, and increased training for translation consultants on orality.

Full article available here, with permission of the author

Quality Assurance in Oral Bible Translation

A special issue of The Bible Translator

Volume 76 Issue 1, April 2025

From the guest editor, Fausto Liriano:

As a foundation for this special issue, especially for readers who are not yet familiar with orality, Julian Sundersingh (United Bible Societies), a well-known name in orality and literacy studies, surveys the intricacies of orality and textuality and explores whether translations should cater to oral or written formats, considering the preferences of oral learners and identifying features relevant to quality assurance. Bayamy Tchande (Bible Society of Chad) explores how community participation contributes to quality assurance in OBT. Tobias Houston (University of the Free State) introduces a quality-assurance model based on loyalty to both source text and audience, integrating quality checks into the translation workflow, and discusses quality assurance in relation to the oral translation component and the subsequent written version of the translation, with case studies from his work in Mozambique. Bryan Harmelink (Wycliffe Global Alliance) examines the implications of multimodality for exegesis, translation, and quality assurance processes in Bible translation. Bronwen Cleaver (Institute for Bible Translation) and Justin Randolph (SIL Global) encourage translators to research and analyze local genres to achieve high-quality translations using forms within the corresponding genre in the receptor language, showcasing the Altai people’s sung translation of Psalm 133. Fausto Liriano (United Bible Societies) discusses the integration of cognitive memory principles into translation workshops in projects where the memorability and performability of the translated biblical passages are key aspects of quality assurance. Marlon Winedt (United Bible Societies) applies social semiotics to enhance OBT, introducing audio recordings of written Scripture into the conversation and discussing what criteria should be considered for quality assurance in that format. Robin Green Ulibarri (Seed Company) and Swapna Alexander (Faith Comes by Hearing) then discuss the rationale for transcription and present case studies, aiming to initiate a conversation on best practices for quality assurance in converting oral to print. Phil Ruge-Jones (Grace Lutheran Church) focuses on ensuring fidelity in translation, emphasizing a performance-based approach and cultural contexts in a project in Guatemala.

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