The course begins with an introductory unit that will help you think through reasons for being involved in Bible translation. In the first section of this course, you will learn the basics of how communication functions. In the second section, you learn about the challenges of translating Scripture and the options that are available. The third section focuses on adjusting mismatches between languages and cultures. The fourth section deals with special translation issues like metaphors and the problem areas of names, weights, measures, and money. The final section deals with translation program issues.

Throughout the course, you will study biblical passages in depth and translate them in a variety of styles, using both oral and written drafting methods.

The main building blocks of this course are units (lessons), which come in two kinds: there are units that teach more theoretical content (but with lots of practical exercises), and units which really are extended exercises to reinforce what was taught in the theoretical units. Two of these exercise units will give you the opportunity to translate actual biblical passages in two different styles.

Introduction

Theory Unit 1: Why translate the Bible?

Exercise Unit 1: Prepare your natural texts

Basic comprehension of communication

Theory Unit 2:            How we understand meaning
Theory Unit 3:            How we know when we have understood
Theory Unit 4:            Processing effort, benefits, and relevance
Exercise Unit 2:            Identifying context
Theory Unit 5:            How we select context
Theory Unit 6:            Communicating with concepts
Theory Unit 7:             Filling out what is said
Theory Unit 8:            Leaving parts of sentences implicit
Theory Unit 9:            Drawing the intended implications
Theory Unit 10:            Stronger and weaker guidance to implications
Exercise Unit 3:            Filling out implicit information

Basic comprehension of Bible translation

Theory Unit 11:            Describing or retelling
Exercise Unit 4:            Analysis chart
Theory Unit 12:            Genre and translation
Theory Unit 13:            Appropriate communication strategies
Exercise Unit 5:            Make a verbal sketch #1                    
Theory Unit 14:            Understanding a biblical passage

Exercise Unit 6:            Communicating Luke 7:36-50

Adjusting mismatches in translation

Theory Unit 15:            Identifying mismatches in secondary communication
Theory Unit 16:            Cultural research
Exercise Unit 7:            Spirit world research
Theory Unit 17:            Expressing concepts in another language
Theory Unit 18:            Adjusting contextual mismatches
Exercise Unit 8:            Communicating Luke 7:36-50

Special issues

Theory Unit 19:            Translating metaphors and more
Theory Unit 20:            Retelling order
Theory Unit 21:            Names, weights, measures, and money

More clues from the text

Theory Unit 22:            How we connect thoughts
Theory Unit 23:            Different contributions to relevance in a text
Theory Unit 24:            Communicating additional layers of meaning

The scope and nature of translation projects

Theory Unit 25:            Crafting products based on scripture
Exercise Unit 9:            Crafting the story of Luke 7:11-17
Theory Unit 26:            From draft to publication
Theory Unit 27:            Translation programs

By the end of this course, you should understand …

• the inferential nature of human communication and how it relates to translation
• how to interpret a biblical passage within its original context
• what is involved in setting up and running a translation program
• understanding of various linguistic features and their functions (connectors, genre, speaker attitude) 

… and you should be able to

• make initial translation drafts using different approaches, i.e. to develop appropriate communication strategies and craft different products for audiences in various situations
• identify contextual mismatches and make appropriate adjustments in your translation

One word of caution: when we say that at the end of the course you should be able to draft translation into your language, we are implying that you will very likely need the assistance of a more experienced consultant or advisor trained in exegesis who can help you understand the intended meaning of the biblical text. Becoming a skilled translator requires life-long learning. This is only an introduction to some of the many issues involved. Fortunately, translation is very interesting and rewarding work.  An introduction to communication theories for translators.