Sunny Hong is a senior anthropology consultant for SIL International and an adjunct professor at Dallas International University. She holds a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies from Biola University. One of her research topics is the refugee issue in relation to Bible translation. She has served Wycliffe/SIL since 1994.
Success and Failure Factors in Diaspora Bible Translation and Scripture Engagement
Abstract
Wayne Dye, Senior Scripture Engagement Consultant for SIL, researched many translation/scripture engagement projects in order to identify markers for success and failure in Bible Translation and Scripture Engagement. Dye identified eight crucial elements that seemed to be determiners of project success. They are as follows: appropriate language, acceptable translation, accessible forms, background knowledge, availability, spiritual hunger, freedom to commit, and partnership. Unless these eight elements are present, according to Dye, Scripture engagement will be hindered.
This paper continues to investigate this question as it identifies markers for success in translation and scripture engagement which, by necessity, take place within the diaspora instead of in the home country. In these instances, in addition to lack of “freedom to commit”, many other conditions listed by Dye continue to pose problems. This paper looks at some diaspora translation/engagement projects which have been successful despite the absence of some elements listed previously. The author endeavors to point out common factors present among these projects that enable success or cause failure when the ideal conditions are not met.
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