Technology in Bible translation culture

New Year's Eve here in Chicago. A chance to enjoy some MAP exchanges. I like it that a TED talk that critiques TED is promoted. MAP can be an arena for discussion and debate in a similar way. Here's a paragraph from the article: "If we really want transformation, we have to slog through the hard stuff (history, economics, philosophy, art, ambiguities, contradictions). Bracketing it off to the side to focus just on technology, or just on innovation, actually prevents transformation." I don't think anyone in the MAP community would disagree with an aim for transformation. Nor would we back away from "the hard stuff." The notion of 'bracketing' reminds me of the approach to translation promoted by the new journal translation that asserts 'transdisciplinarity." The caution (if that's what is intended with Andy's byline) is important. Technology is not added to Bible translation (or any other human endeavor): technology shapes things -- whether that be codex, printing press, radio, TV, Internet, smart phones, etc. Bible translation has historically been a daring enterprise in embracing such technologies for its own purposes. Nida School of Translation Studies is considering something like a TED talk as part of its annual NYC Translation Studies Research Symposium. However, we recognize that a TED talk alone is not enough. It becomes an entry into dialogue, for community interaction. We are hoping that MAP will be a part of that dialogue as people wrestle with "the hard stuff."

Speaking of technology and Bible translation culture, may I speak up and represent those involved in Bible translation with very limited access to technological resources? I'd like to just remind you that the technocultural shifts of the last ten years aren't universal. Many people in overseas ministry can't take advantage of TED or even much of what is posted here on MAP because of poor internet capabilities. I hope you understand that I'm not complaining. I only want to remind the MAP community that we exist and don't want to be left behind! As some of us can't stream video or download large files, when you're posting or linking to a video, you might consider posting a synopsis or highlights along with it. A transcript is wonderful when one is available. Also, when you post PDFs, if you could also post a reduced-size version, that would be helpful. I apologize that I'm a bit off-topic with your post, Andy. I hadn't been familiar with TED, but was able to understand a little about it from the article. All for now. Going to submit this before I lose my internet connection! Blessings, Stephanie

Haha! I had the same problem, Stephanie. Please be assured you're not the only one 'making noises' about this issue. It's clear to all of us, I think, that the development of online resources (which is something I promote as part of my job with UBS!) has the potential to create a new distinction between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots', with disastrous consequences, such as the popular image of Bible translation in donor eyes shifting to the 'cooler' projects that are visible online, and the funding doing the same! I even sometimes see a new 'tribalism' between the online 'in-crowd' and the offline 'others' (who are at risk of dropping off the edge of the Bible translation world!)! This is what I mean by the effect of technology on Bible translation culture. I personally feel that, at very least, our key resources will always need offline clients, so if MAP or its successor is to have any relevance to a broad scope of people who're actually DOING Bible translation (rather than just those of us who're TALKING about it), much of it would need to be viewable offline (just as are Paratext projects on our computers, emails in Outlook on our computers or parts of our email accounts on our smartphones or tablets, Google Calendars on whatever device, Bibles in YouVersion, books in Logos etc.). Having said that, dependence on internet connectivity is here to stay, frustrating as that often is for some of us. And after all, here in northern Nigeria we often go days without POWER, which is all the more crippling, but has not yet got me advocating for a return to pencil and paper! ;-)