Scripture and Scripture-based Products - vivre la difference! (Or not?)

There has been a lot of discussion recently as to what constitutes a scripture product and what constitutes a scripture-based product. In one sense it doesn't really matter. But what needs checking by a TC (translation consultant) and what can be checked by someone else?

A scripture-product is one that stays fairly close to scripture. For instance a multi-voice audio recording of scripture could be considered a scripture-product. A Bible app would be in this category too. These would need checking by a TC prior to publication.

Scripture engagement products that are more loosely scripture-based are called scripture-based products and wouldn't necessarily need checking by a TC. It really depends how loose or tight to scripture they are. If they are fairly loose then a Christian materials checker could check it rather than a TC. If the product contains scripture quotes that are from books not yet translated by the translation team (if there is one), then those quotes would need checking by a TC. The TC might also want to check that summaries of Bible stories reflect what we find in the Bible itself. In adapting the story has the team strayed too far from the story? If so the TC might recommend a change. The problem is that many scripture-based products are multi-media in which case it can be a hassle to edit the product. It is therefore recommended that teams make a rough-cut recording or video which can be checked by the TC before the final product is produced.

A Christian materials checker is someone who knows the language and has had some training in checking Christian books and materials.

Comments

10 Reasons to Make Scripture Impact a Priority

This is a response to some recent posts about the importance of Bible translation in fulfilling the Great Commission. Yes, there is much truth in that, but more is needed. It really helps to have Scripture impact (or 'engagement') the top priority, the 'car' as it were, with translation the engine that sits beneath the bonnet. Not all drivers need to know all the details of the engine, but they need to be able to control the vehicle. The most important thing is to be able to get from A to B (see point 2), rather than knowing how the engine works. These are the ten reasons to make Scripture impact a priority: To help people flourish in their communities. There are all kinds of needs that need to be met for people to flourish. One is clean water. Another is good sanitation. Peace (lack of war), and freedom of religion. Access to education etc. etc. For a community to truly flourish they also need access to the Scriptures in a language (or languages) that they understand a...

A Flow Chart for Bible Translation (a Relevance Theory Approach)

One of the current theories behind modern translation work is Relevance Theory. [1] Here is a flow chart that explains the process often used to produce a draft when using such an approach: *Make sure your translation committee makes the decision as to what kind of translation they want. A domesticated translation is one that submits to dominant values in the target language [2] whereas a foreignized translation is one that is happy to import foreign terms and ideas from Hebrew, Greek, or the language of wider communication such as the Greek term baptizo . The chart looks something like this: Text Communicated Ideas Context A sower went out to sow A farmer went out to sow grain People scattered/threw seed etc. The text has very little information, but behind i...

Asking the Right Questions in Bible Translation and Scripture Engagement Planning

If you want to get useful answers you have to ask the right questions. Do you agree? Yes, of course you do. In the Bible translation world we often ask a very narrow question when planning for the next stage of work: 'What would you like to see translated next?' Now, if you simply want to translate, and that's it, that question is fine, but what if you want to see some kind of result from your translation work? What if, for instance, you want to see transformation occur? Then a more powerful question to ask the community and positive stakeholders in the project would be: 'What kingdom goals would you like to see reached?' These kingdom goals should meet felt needs of the community - they should solve problems that are apparent to most or all in the community. See below on how those can be met. If that's too abstract, then try, 'What kinds of things, in your extended family, do you tend to worry about?' This will help establish some felt needs, from which...

Scripture Engagement

Search This Blog