Thanks to technology, Bible translation is faster, safer

Wycliffe Associates, an international organization that involves people in the acceleration of Bible translation, continues to extend the impact of Bible translation support overseas by providing Bible translators with technology that streamlines their work and reduces translation time.

By the end of 2012, the Orlando-based organization hopes to have installed a total of 215 Bible translation acceleration kits (BTAKs), which consist of a small, portable netbook computer, satellite communication terminal, solar panel, battery, and an AC power inverter.

Next year, the organization plans to install 250 BTAK units.

The new technology provides faster, safer and more efficient translation efforts by connecting Bible translation consultants with national on-site translators who live in remote locations without electricity. Each kit can speed translation efforts by as much as two years due to the communication and collaboration efforts it makes possible.

In Nigeria alone, the organization has provided 42 translation teams with satellite Internet connections so far, allowing Bible translators to safely continue their work despite civil unrest, church bombings, and attacks against Christians.

“The technology helps translators keep spreading God’s Word safely, out of harm’s way,” says Bruce Smith, president and CEO of Wycliffe Associates. “And in some of the most remote and forgotten areas of the world, these kits save hours of travel over difficult and dangerous terrain. Most importantly, these kits speed God’s Word to unreached people.”

When the technology was introduced to translators for the Jenjo language group in Nigeria recently, one team completed the Gospel of Luke in half the time.

“With new technology, we can accelerate Bible translation like never before,” Smith says, “but we do not know how long the window of opportunity will last.”

In addition to speeding up the translation process, the technology also enables translators to more easily communicate with linguists at universities and participate in short-response conversations via e-mail with their churches, families, and support base back home.

Each kit costs Wycliffe Associates $3,967, and the organization is seeking to raise $175,000 in the next 60 days to not only distribute these high-tech tools in other strategic regions, but to also train national translators on how to use them effectively.

Wycliffe Associates involves people in accelerating the work of Bible translation through their time, talents, and treasure. Because millions of people around the world are still waiting to read the Scriptures in the language of their heart, Wycliffe Associates is working as quickly as they can to translate every verse of the Bible into every tongue to change every heart. The organization partners with nationals, mother tongue translators, staff, volunteers, and supporters to direct and fund these efforts, as well as provide logistics, networking, and technical support. Through a growing global network, Wycliffe Associates is striving to overcome local limitations of time and resources to achieve the goal of beginning the translation of God’s Word in every remaining language that needs it by 2025.

Last year, the organization mobilized 3,703 volunteers and staff members to accelerate Bible translation in 77 countries. Additional information is available at www.wycliffeassociates.org or by calling 1-800-THE WORD (1-800-843-9673).

Share

Leave a Reply

HTML Snippets Powered By : XYZScripts.com