Timothy Hatcher teaches courses in missiology and Scripture Engagement at Dallas International University and is a Scripture Engagement consultant for SIL. He and his wife Lynley are leaders in the multi-agency Freedom Ascent addiction recovery program for oral audiences. Tim holds a PhD in Intercultural Studies from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.
Translanguaging: Multilingual Approaches to Bible Translation and Scripture Engagement
Abstract
Members of grassroots multilingual communities conceptualize language differently than primary monolinguals do. This creates challenges because most Bible agencies model monolingual approaches to engaging with the Bible, whether they emphasize gateway languages or vernacular languages. Grassroots multilinguals often prefer an unbounded, performative approach to languages that reflects their dynamic, hybridized identities; one term for this is translanguaging. Translanguagers make meaning by using words from their full linguistic repertoire. Using translinguistic theories and methodologies, Bible agencies can implement translation strategies that are more appropriate for some multilingual communities. It is also critical to successful Scripture engagement to model multilingual approaches that more naturally correspond to local language practices. Translanguaging offers methodological insights from multilingual education that are particularly useful for Scripture engagement application.
Materials from this presentation are not available for public distribution.
About the Author
SIL International / Dallas International University