A method of Bible translation suitable mainly for oral communities (though anyone will have benefit) where the community themselves provides the translation team, so have ownership of the project and the products. The oral approach produces an audio version of God’s Word translated and stored on MP3 players or SD cards and made available on apps, followed by the transcription that includes some of the oral features, so that heard or read, the translation is natural. This method allows for the immediacy of Scripture Engagement forming part of the initial translation brief, and rolled out from the beginning of the translation process. It makes tools like biblical videos or Scripture apps, where you can follow the text and listen to the Scriptures, much more accessible. The process goes through the same standard of consultant checking as traditional Bible translation to ensure accuracy and understandability.
Website: https://wycliffe.org.za/what-we-do/how-we-work
Finer Details
Financial cost: It is part of the translation project budget
What personnel are needed to bring this resource to fruition, (make the resource available in another language)?
Translation Consultant
What kind of technical expertise is needed to adapt this resource to your situation?
A oral translation consultant who understands orality
How much time is required to do all the work required to bring the resource to completion?
1 week to 1 month
What sort of logistical setting is needed? (e.g. quiet space for recording, good Internet access)
Typical translation project infrastructure and equipment is needed
What audiences would this approach NOT work for?
People who want to move as quickly as possible to get to the final product – they will skip or hurry the necessary processes, e.g. Internalization in favour of speed.
What level of help is available?
Advanced – a ministry could be there to support you with workers and partnership.
What particular themes are included that might be a ‘bridge’ to a target audience?
Unique Characteristics
This method allows a community that has not really been involved in their own language to interact with their language. This also will lead to Language Development. OBT&T will help communities to love their own language and see it in a positive light. It also helps to preserve the oral language and forms of communication, validates oral communities and their language whilst also making the Bible available in written form for anyone who wants it, and returns to the oral nature that the original Scriptures were created and received in.