SETTING UP A TRANSLATION PROJECT

Extracted text from PROJCTDV.doc:

UBS TRANSLATION OFFICERS MANUAL

SETTING UP A TRANSLATION PROJECT Setting up a new translation or the revision of an old version, and taking over a translation which is already up and running are two important tasks of the UBS Translation Officer. The following outline provides a checklist of the major elements in this process. Under the Publishing Process Management (PPM) approach to our task, translation projects from their inception need to be closely co-ordinated with all other elements and personnel involved in the publishing process. This will allow the translation team to achieve the goal of a quality translation which can be published and placed in the hands of the intended audience in the most timely and efficient manner. a. PRE-TRANSLATION 1. Research - Is there a need for the specific translation requested? Confirm request with church or community - ascertain BS commitment to the project and the nature and extent of that commitment - establish target community profile and target language's status - ascertain translation type required (formal/CL/revision of OV/ children's/ study) - if an old Bible exists, outline its features and traditions - research potential funding sources, both actual and possible - establish availability and qualifications of possible translators/ reviewers - consider biblical knowledge, original language skills, mother tongue facility, church standing - determine nature of church support (inter-denominational/interconfessional/finances/prayer/ leadership and lay) - research orthography and other linguistic issues including dialectal issues - it is also important that any special characters etc. required for keyboarding be known and determined - if it is an interconfessional project, ascertain any differences in traditional key terms such as "Holy Spirit" etc. and names of books, people and places. - For Study Bible: method to be used: adaptation of existing model? develop a completely new one? Research target audience requirements for kinds of information to be included - For Children's "Bible": Text - does it require a new translation? Target audience? What to include? How much material to include? Illustrations - how many? Art style? Cost? Artist - suitability? availability? Understanding of the text?

If after research it is determined that there is sufficient need for and interest in the project, that the local language community and BS are able and willing to give full support to the project, then the decision can be made to proceed with

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UBS TRANSLATION OFFICERS MANUAL

it. If all optimal conditions cannot be met there may be the need for further research or a decision to delay the start or even not to proceed with the project. If the project is to go ahead, the next step is training. 2.Training - set up an initial workshop (preferably of two weeks duration) to introduce UBS Translation and Exegetical Principles + UBS ethos for a meaning-based translation, + if the project is a revision of an old translation, then identify what needs revising and why. + Study Bible, Children's Bible, or Audio + Give an understanding of the UBS ethos as nonsectarian and inter-confessional + Determine the textual base to be used and the model texts + Invitees: potential translators and reviewers, artist for Children's Bible, GS, Marketing and PPM officer so that all have an understanding of the principles on which the translation is based. - select translators and reviewers on the basis of their workshop performance in translation exercises and participation in discussion. Are they team players? Are they open to other denominations or church traditions and their full participation in the project? Suitable personality for sustained work? Are the reviewers heavily committed to other work so that they have little time for completing review assignments on time? Do all have a good facility with their native language? - orientation of translators to the specific needs of the audience and how to meet those needs. - computer orientation workshop (to involve translator, TC and/or keyboarder) to be held within one month. The purpose is to look at the "pilot" translation coming from the training workshop in order to identify potential problems and peculiarities of the language and the CAP requirements necessary for serving the project adequately. Also to check font size - some older people require a minimum font size. - teach SF codes and CAP tools to keyboarder (who may or may not be translator) - clarify the role and function of TC so that whole team understands it - translators to gain greater awareness of literary features of their own language - NBS to appoint administrative manager (PPM) for project this may be the GS.

3. Local BS

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UBS TRANSLATION OFFICERS MANUAL

• clarify the role of the PPManager vis--vis the TO to ensure there is no overlap or conflict in roles and functions. - sourcing of funds - local church/national BS/UBS - set up translation office - its location and facilities such as adequate library and a computer meeting specifications (may also be provided by church or language community) [audio or video translation will need procedures for use of studio etc.] - personnel service conditions -salary/ vacation/ incentives/ working hours all to be set out in accordance with local working conditions - draw up a clear contract with translators and reviewers setting out service conditions, and clear guidelines for expected progress through the project, including monthly reporting - establish possible and ideal time-line through to publishing - provide a project profile or description (see TAPOT for example) - church relations - establishment of church-based Advisory Group to ensure full participation and ownership by the churches of the language community b. TRANSLATION (* assumes printed text) - appointing of translation team and reviewers by NBS in consultation with TC and local community based on performance at training workshop - a clear contract with the translator must be in place setting out the roles and relationships to be observed. This is especially important if there are other organizations such as SIL involved in the project. - a signed and legal contract between the translator and the publisher indicating that the translator relinquishes all rights to the translation in perpetuity. - (*) appointment of artist for Children's Bible or selection of model illustrations. The artist needs to become familiar with the text and with the role of illustrations within the product. - provision of translation library and tools, electronic and other (original language texts; model translations; commentaries, Bible dictionaries; Handbook, linguistic materials; stationery etc.) - further training for translator or keyboarder in keying-in and in SF codes as well as the many tools now available for checking setting time line (with ideal team of 2 F/T translators; 4 years for NT; 8 years for OT - incl. daily progress expected of the translator.

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UBS TRANSLATION OFFICERS MANUAL

Progress will be slower initially until the translator becomes more experienced. Note that there are budget implications in varying this time-line. - () establish the order of books to be translated (based partly on translational difficulty - prose before poetry, gospels before epistles - as well as church priorities) - make a list of suggestions for key terms in a new translation. Consider the rendering of the divine name; sensitive terms; inclusive language; religious terms in the context of other religions. agreeing to monthly reporting of work completed to TC and PPM Manager and the form in which they should be sent. - () monthly submission of keyboarded text to CAP - setting the timing of and procedures for (i) TC checking visits - include procedures for sending back-translations prior to TC visit. (ii) review process and function of reviewers (iii) stylistic review (iv) reviewing illustrations for Childrens Bible (v) checking audio/video script for faithfulness (NB - Email "visits" can reduce the number of trips required) - TC sends reports following visits to projects to the translators, RETCO and GS. - () on-going training in the use of all CAP and checking tools, Paratext. - () early decisions re supplementary materials such as Book introductions, illustrations, maps, footnotes?, glossary etc. for standard Bible translations as well as for Study Bibles. Work on these early to avoid delays due to typesetting complications and in some cases obtaining copyright approvals. - arrange follow-up workshops on specific issues - e.g. poetry, figurative language, rhetorical and literary features of the original languages etc. - () discussion of typesetting/CAP/format questions arising from trial printouts - () for hand-written projects - TC to orient translator to the layout appearance of a typeset MS - if a stylist is to be part of the team, check any changes he/she makes for possible exegetical changes inadvertently brought in. - (*) orienting translator /reviewer to proof-reading and editing of the typeset text. Final proof-reading should be done by a trained person. - Procedures for adequately publicizing the new translation and giving progress reports to churches. This will require working with the marketing dept. to ensure it is fully aware of the features and value of the new product

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UBS TRANSLATION OFFICERS MANUAL

• () publishing examples of new translation in church and community news media - () publication of trial editions of completed portions - testing of audio and video "drafts" for feedback/audience response - () feedback from trial editions by language community and church re format, font size etc. but primarily concerning the translation itself - final corrected and proof-read text or product signed off by TC and sent for processing/typesetting c. POST-TRANSLATION - evaluating the product - final check of typeset corrected text (allow 2 months for fulltime checker) - () CRC produced including all illustrations and graphics - () printing (and shipping arranged - allow 6 months) - production in the case of audio or video (time allowance?) - set release date after sending for production/printing - launch - () feedback from users re the translation and any suggested corrections for future printings or revisions A first translation is just that, the first in a continuing line of revisions and new translations. Changes, revisions and modifications will be required to enable the product to meet the specific needs of audiences in a changing world. April 1998, Bangkok

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