This is a manual for those who are preparing to translate the Bible into their own mother tongue. It can be used as a textbook for formal courses or for training individuals.
Part one deals with basic principles of Bible translation, common problems met in translation, and procedures for making and testing translations. Part two deals with the initiation of a translation project.
Also see Teacher's Manual to Accompany Bible Translation: Introductory Course (Barnwell, 1987)
About the author
"Katy" Barnwell has served with SIL International since 1963 in Nigeria and other countries in Africa, and from 1989 to 1999 in the International Translation Department at Dallas. Currently, she is an international translation consultant. She received her Ph.D. in Linguistics from the School of African and Oriental Studies and University College, London, in 1969.
Table of Contents
Preface
Starting To Translate
Part One: Translation Principles, Problems, and Practice
- What is Translation?
- Two Kinds of Translation
- Some English Translations of the Bible
- How to Translate Idioms
- The Qualities of a Good Translation
- Two Steps in Translating
- How to Translate Unknown Ideas
- How to Study the Meaning of a Word
- How to Translate Special Biblical Terms
- How to Study Your Own Culture
- Towards Meaningful Translation
- Things that Hinder a Message from Being Understood
- More about Cross-Cultural Differences
- Further Exercises on Meaning-Based Translation
- Finding the Facts
- Ways of Providing Background Information
- A Natural Translation
- Discovering the Meaning 1--Event Ideas
- Discovering the Meaning 2--"Of" Phrases
- Discovering the Meaning 3--Active and Passive
- Discovering the Meaning 4--Short Cuts (Ellipsis)
- Discovering the Meaning 5--Complex Passages
- Discovering the Meaning 6--Order of Events
- Discovering the Meaning 7--Long of Short Sentences
- Figures of Speech--Comparisons
- Other Figures of Speech
- Rhetorical Questions
- Making a First Draft Translation
- How to Check a Translation
- Ten Ways to Test a Translation
- How to Make a Back-Translation
- Section Headings
- Pronoun Reference
- How to Discover the Grammar of Your Language
- Translation Problems--A Review
Part Two: Notes for Discussion Sessions on Planning and Organizing a Bible Translation Project
The Translation Team
Other Aspects of Planning a Bible Translation Project
Qualifications of a Bible Translator
Stages of a Bible Translation Project
What Can We Do to Encourage the Use of the Translated Scriptures?
Part Three: Check Yourself on Your Knowledge of Bible Background
Student's Working Sheets on the following topics:- Everyday Life in Palestine
- The Religious Life of the Hebrews
Part Four: Principles Of Good Spelling
Student's Working Sheets
Part Five: Writing Practice
Student's Working Sheets
Part Six: Discovering The Grammar Of Your Own Language
Student's Working Sheets
Part Seven: Review Questionnaires
Review Questions on the following:
Bible Translation
Translating the Word of God
The Theory and Practice of Translation
Part Eight: Books For Translators
- Reference Books for Translators
- Further Reading on Translation Principles
