Paradigms of Bible Translation:
Mission, Goals and Assumptions
The theme ‘Paradigms of Bible translation’ intends to deepen our understanding of translation principles and practices that are followed by translation practitioners from different backgrounds. It aims to build mutual understanding and a higher degree of consensus regarding best practices in Bible translation. The presentations are expected to foster constructive dialogue and avoid judgmental criticism of other positions.
Relevance of the theme
Different communities and individuals may have different expectations with regard to what Bible translation is and how it should be done. Sometimes these differences lead to misunderstanding, distrust, lack of collaboration, or even controversy.
Examples →
Literal translation vs. idiomatic, meaning-based translation vs. contextualized translation
Linguistic translation vs. cultural translation
Focus on print translation vs. audio-based (oral) translation
Church-based translation vs. pioneering, missionary translation
Experts-driven translation vs. participatory forms of translation
Quality-driven translation vs. acceleration & innovation driven translation
Translation in the vernacular language vs. translation in multilingual contexts
Computer-aided translation vs. human translation
Reflection on the various paradigms of translation may help us to gain a better understanding of ourselves and of others as we engage in the challenging task of Bible translation and Scripture engagement on a global scale. It may help us to develop a greater sense of appreciation for the variety of approaches that complement one another as they fulfil the needs of different audiences living in diverse cultural, social, and linguistic contexts. It may also lead to a higher degree of commitment to working together toward the eradication of Bible poverty in the world.
Sub-Themes:
1. History of Bible translation
2. The theory & practice of Bible translation today (includes theology, contextualization)
3. Training & mentoring
4. Technology & innovation
5. Scripture engagement & media (includes orality)
6. Partnering, funding, recruitment & management related to Bible translation
7. Francophone Translation Track
Some questions to be addressed:
What is Bible?
Different individuals/organizations/churches may have different perspectives on this: NT only, OT plus NT, OT plus NT plus apocrypha, role of the Septuagint, multimodality, print vs audio/orality, etc.
What is Bible translation?
Different perspectives on what Bible translations should look like, and what the limits of translation as a genre are: literal vs. meaning-based, idiomatic, translation principles. Can a translation be accurate if it is unnatural and unclear, leading to misunderstanding? Different ways translations function: including use in liturgy, Bible study, evangelism, etc. Whole Bible translation
What can we learn from the history of Bible translation?
What are the different paradigms that we find in the history of Bible translation? What can we learn from the history of Bible translation? What can we learn from various theories of translation/communication?
To what degree does our theology shape the way we translate?
Is this good or bad? Our theology, missiology, hermeneutics, Western understanding versus non-Western understanding of the text. What can we learn from one another?
How does Bible translation relate to Scripture engagement, media, technology, linguistics, anthropology?
What is a good model of collaboration in Bible translation?
How can we promote (better) unity in diversity? What are opportunities for better collaboration? What are some of the major challenges? How can they be overcome?