Checklists and Shorter Bibles

Checklist for Checking a translation

Dr. Anne Garber Kompaoré 2014

This list was inspired by the booklet, Translation Problems from A to Z by Dick Blight (SIL International), CONNOT Notes by Katy Barnwell, an unpublished article on translation problems by Dr. Fehderau (UBS consultant), and Guide de vérificateur (SIL, 2013) as well as my own experiences as translation consultant

These are the issues that should be checked to assure a quality translation product.

Formatting and Orthography

Comments

1. Spelling, punctuation, transliteration

Consistency according to spelling rules

1. Line formatting

Paragraph length, poetic lines, information lists: consistency, model version, appropriate for the reader

Supplementary information

1. Book Title

2. Section Headings

Content, length, style consistency, usefulness

1. Parallel references

2. Footnotes, Cross references

Appropriateness, brief, consistent style, helps the reader

1. Illustrations, Maps

Appropriate, clear

1. Glossary

Word choice, definitions

1. Book introductions, transitions

Faithfulness in translation (Exegesis)

1. Interpretation and Textual problems

Where different versions have differing interpretations

1. Exegetical comprehension

How the translator understands the text

1. Parallel text harmonization

2. Omission

3. Addition

4. Modification

5. Ambiguity (Generic-specific)

Translation that allows interpretations not intended by the original writer

1. Intermediate language interference

Where the translation of an expression from the source language does not reflect the true meaning of the original language

Terminology

1. Lexical Correspondence

Problems of literalness, synonyms, other

1. Consistency check depending on context

Words and expressions

1. Idiomatic expressions, collocations

2. Honorifics, forms of address

3. Unknown terms (botany, zoology, geography, geology, cultural, etc.)

4. Connotation

5. Proper Names

Problem of multiple names for one referent

Natural and comprehensible ?

1. Implicit information/ Implicature

Info known or message intended by the writer, but not explicitly mentioned in the text

1. Dialect variation

Choice of the most comprehensible and acceptable dialect

1. Thematic development

Natural flow of the main topic/theme of the text

1. Participant reference

Intro to participants, use of pronouns, nominal, proper names, pronominal shift, ambiguity, redundancy

1. Clause relations

2. clause order

Chronological, cause – effect, etc.

1. transition, connectors, logical relations

Between clauses and paragraphs

1. Information structure (new – old info)

Information load, information distribution, phrase length, subordinate clauses, etc.

1. Perspective/direction of narrator

2. Grammatical style

Ellipsis, genitive constructions, modality, tense, aspect, negation, passive voice, pronouns, relative clauses, grammatical categories

1. Reported speech

direct, indirect, semi-direct, embedded quotations, speech margins

1. Repetition

Formula expressions, key terms, prominence, cohesion

Cultural, political, geographical context

1. Anachronism

Terms or phrases that refer to some aspect that would not be true to the Biblical time period.

1. Theological bias

Where translation is influenced by one’s theological background

1. Symbolism

2. Geographical context

3. Cultural context

Faithful to the Hebrew culture, but still understandable? May need a footnote.

1. Political and economical organization

2. Family, clan, relations between peoples

Genealogies, etc.

1. Measures and numerals

Genre, discourse type, register

1. Genre naturalness

2. Narrative / Historical / Description

3. Poetic / Prophetic

4. Directives : Laws, Orders, Request

5. Promise : Prophecy, oaths, vows, covenant

6. Argumentation

7. Language level and register

Formal, informal languge, slang, vulgar, euphemism, etc.

Emotive and rhetorical function

1. Illocutionary force

Rhetorical questions, statements, etc

1. Emotive force

anger, excitement, sadness, confusion, etc.

1. Prominence

Focus and emphasis

1. Parallelism, Chiasm

Understanding the logical relations between two parallel lines

1. Hendiadys

Two nouns connected by ‘and’ which form a semantic unit

1. Figurative language

metaphor, simile, Irony, hyperbole, extended metaphor, metonymy, personification, word play, litote

Acceptability

According to translation philosophy as agreed upon by the translation partners

1. Translation style adopted

Consistency, appropriateness

1. Theological and confessional orientations

Textual choices, key term choices

1. Cultural sensibilities

Taboos, euphemisms, attitudes, wrong connotation

1. Dialect choice

Most comprehensible and acceptable

1. Archaic language

Words known only by the older generation. ‘Pure’ language or borrowed terms?

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And here is a shorter OT courtesy of Katy Barnwell (she gives credit to others as well in the document):

See also below Harold Fehderau's TTW article and supporting chart on systematic checking procedures. Fehderau's list is so extensive it may not be helpful in acceleration, but should be part of the discussion of efficiency and quality in any case.

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Extracted text from PlanOfGodSummary-showingrevisions2016.docx.docx:

Wonderful Plan of God series summary.doc, page 1 of 6

Summary of the content the Wonderful Plan of God (formerly Pioneer) series1

This series comprises selected Scriptures with link passages These Wonderful Plan of God Scripture selections were prepared initially for Luke Partnership projects, to provide an overview of Scripture for those who may not go on to a full scale translation project. Or for whom the completion of the whole Bible is still some years ahead. They are adapted from a series of booklets originally prepared by the former Scripture Gift Mission, now SGM Lifewords.

The text in the templates is Scripture and is taken from the New Living Translation, 2004 edition. Translators should, of course, decide on the style of translation that is appropriate for their intended audience and consult other versions also, following good translation procedures.
Some linking texts are included which provide the historical link between the selected passages as well as some essential background information. These passages are in italic type to distinguish them from the actual Scripture passages.

Templates and illustrations are available for Books 1-3 (Old Testament selections): Selections from Genesis: The beginning of everything Book 1 below Selections from Exodus: The story of Gods people Book 2 below Selections from 1&2 Samuel, Psalms & Prophets: A King will come to save Book 3 below For the New Testament selections, situations vary. In most Luke Partnership projects, the Gospel of Luke is published as a whole. So rather than doing selections from the Gospels, it may be appropriate just to do the other two New Testament selections: Selections from Acts: The growth of Gods church Book 4 below. Selections from the Epistles & Revelation: Words for the followers of Jesus -- Book 5 below. For those who plan to publish selections from the gospels as part of the Wonderful Plan of God series, we suggest the text of either Jesus Christ has power to save selections from the Gospel of Mark, or the two booklets of selections from Luke The Saviour of the world and The teachings of Jesus Christ, both originally published by SGM-LifeWords. SGM-Lifewords have given permission for their use in this way. Copies of these texts are available on Translators Workplace. For further information on the use of templates, see the file: Notes for those using the WPG templates.doc

1 The Plan of God series of Old Testament selections was developed from a selection that the Scripture Gift Mission originally prepared, called The Pioneer series. The templates as they stand are copyrighted by the Luke Partnership, a partnership originally between the Seed Company and the JESUS Film Project.  Wonderful Plan of God series summary.doc, page 2 of 6 no. Title Aims to communicate BOOK ONE: Section title and references B O O K O N E The beginning of everything Selections from Genesis 303 verses The character of God, his holiness and concern for righteousness, His desire for fellowship with human beings, The fact that human beings have sinned and so been separated from God. God's plan to bring human beings back into fellowship and communication with himself Introduce key terms: tempt/test, sin, covenant, LORD/YHWH Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Sarah Isaac, Joseph Part 1 How God made everything How God made the sky and the earth/land 1:1-2 How God made light 1:3-5 How God made the sky, land and sea 1:6-10 How God made plants and trees 1:11-13 How God made the sun and the moon 1:14-19 How God made animals, fish, and birds 1:20-25 How God made men and women 1:26-31, 2:1-3 Part 2 How God blessed human beings The first man and the first woman 2:7-9,15-25 How Adam and Eve disobeyed God 3:1-7 How God judged Adam and Eve and the serpent/snake 3:8-21 How God drove Adam and Eve from the garden 3:22-24 Three sons of Adam and Eve 4:1-12, 25-26 The birth of Noah 5:29 Part 3 How God blessed Noah How human beings disobeyed God 6:5-8 How God told Noah to build a boat 6:9-22 How God saved Noah and his family 7:11-24, 8:1-3, 13-14 A new start 8:15-22 How God made a covenant with Noah 9:1,12-17 How God scattered people to many places 11:1-9 Part 4 How God blessed Abraham How the LORD God chose a nation to be his special people 12:1-7 How the LORD God said he will give Abram and his descendants a land:13:5- 18 How God promised that Abraham will have a son 15:1-6, 16:1-3, 15-16 How God made a covenant with Abraham and his descendants 17:1-11 How God told Abraham that Sarah will bear him a son 17:15-21 How Sarah bore a son to Abraham 21:1-7 How God tested Abraham 22:1-18 Isaac and his sons 25:19-26 How the LORD God blessed Isaac 26:1-6, 12-14a Jacob and his sons 37:3-13 How Josephs brothers sold him as a slave 37:18-28 How God blessed Joseph in Egypt 39:1-6a How Joseph saved his family in time of famine 50:19-25 Descendants of Abraham 1 Chronicles 1:28, 34, 2:1-2

 Wonderful Plan of God series summary.doc, page 3 of 6 no. Title Aims to communicate BOOK TWO Section title and references B O O K

T W O The story of Gods people Alternative title: God saves/delivers/ guides his people Selections from Exodus, also Deuteronomy, Numbers and Joshua 296 verses How God chose a nation to be his people and began to reveal himself and his purposes to them Gods standards and instructions for his people Especially Gods concern for righteousness and obedience The covenant that God made with his people Gods power to deliver his people How Gods people were to worship him Introduce key terms: priest, sacrifice tabernacle, Passover, YHWH (explained in a footnote or link), Gods instruction/law Part 1 How God delivered his people from slavery How the people of God suffered in Egypt Exodus 1-14 How the prophet Moses was born 1:22, 2:1-10 How Moses tried to help his people 2:11-15a, 23-25 How God spoke to Moses 3:1-15 How God appointed Aaron to assist Moses in his work 4:10-17, 29-31 How Moses and Aaron pleaded with Pharaoh 5:1-5 How the Lord God told Moses and Aaron that he will set his people free from slavery 5:22-23, 6:1-11, 7:3 How the LORD God showed Pharaoh his power 7:8-13 How the LORD God sent plagues to the Egyptians 8:1-8, 12-15 The final plague 11:1, 4-7 How the LORD God provided a way for his people to escape. the Passover/passing over 12:6-8, 11-14 How the eldest sons of the Egyptians all died 12:28-32, 50-51 How the Israelites left Egypt 13:18-19, 21-22 How the Egyptians pursued the Israelites 14:5-14 How the Israelites passed through the Red Sea 14:21-31 Praise to God 15:1-2 How the LORD God provided food for his people in the desert 16:1-3, 11-15, 31 How the LORD God provided water in the desert 17:1-6 Part 2 How God made a covenant with his people How the LORD God told Moses that the Israelites would be his special people 19:3-8 How God gave Moses instructions on how his people should live 19:16-19; 20:1-21 How the Israelites accepted the LORDs covenant 24: 3-8 How God said he will live among the Israelites 25:8-9 How God appointed Aaron and his sons to be priests 28:1-3; 29:38-46 {SACRIFICE ILLUSTRATION} How the God told his people to rest on the Sabbath day 31:12-15 How the people disobeyed God 32:1-8 How the LORD God allowed Moses to see his glory 33:12-23 How Moses set up the Tabernacle Exodus 40:17-38 {PICTURE OF THE TABERNACLE} How the people reached the promised land Deuteronomy 5:1-4; 6:4-7; 10:17- 18, 21-22 The priests blessing Numbers 6:22-26 Part 3 How the Israelites entered the land God had said he would give them The last words of Moses Deuteronomy 30:15-20 How the Israelites entered the land that God had promised to give them Joshua 1:1-9 ; 21:43-45

 Wonderful Plan of God series summary.doc, page 4 of 6 no. Title Aims to communicate BOOK THREE Section title and references B O O K T H R E E A Savior-King will come Alternative titles A King will come to save God prepares the way 244 verses Selections from 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Micah and Malachi How God continued to reveal himself to his people. How God helps those who trust him How God is powerful, and is able to protect and guide his people How God continued to prepare his people for the coming of the Messiah, the one he had promised to send How God revealed to his prophets some of the events that would happen in the life of the Messiah Some of the songs that David wrote, a pattern for worshipping God, are included. Introduce and explain the key terms: Messiah (Christ, Anointed One), also prophet, priest, sacrifice, Temple, tabernacle Part 1 David, the great king of Israel How the LORD God appointed David as King Samuel 16:1, 4-13a The story of David and Goliath How the giant Goliath challenged the soldiers of Israel 1 Samuel 17:3-11 How David said he would fight Goliath 1 Samuel 17:26-40 How David killed Goliath 1 Samuel 17:41-51 How David ruled as king of Israel and made Jerusalem his capital city 2 Samuel 5:1-7, 9-10 How the Lord God promised David that one of his descendants would rule as king forever 2 Samuel 7:1-16 The great sin that King David committed 2 Samuel 11:1-5, 14-17, 26-27 How the LORD God rebuked King David 2 Samuel 12:1-14 Part 2 Songs that King David sang God blesses those who study his Word Psalm 1 The world that God made reveals his glory Psalm 8 God cares for his people as a shepherd cares for his sheep Psalm 23 King Davids song of repentance Psalm 51 The Lord protects us from all evil Psalm 121 Part 3 King Solomon and other kings of Israel How King David advised his son Solomon 1 Kings 2:1-4 How Solomon asked God to make him wise 1 Kings 3:1-15 How Solomon judged a case wisely 1 Kings 3:16-28 How Solomon built the first Temple (House of God) in Jerusalem 1 Kings 6:1, 6:38, 8:1, 3-6,10-11 How the Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon 1 Kings 10:1-9 How King Solomon began to worship idols 1 Kings 11:1-6,9-13 How Israel was divided into two kingdoms How God appointed Jeroboam to be king of the 10 tribes in the north of Israel 1 Kings 11:29-40 How the tribes in the north refused to accept Solomons son as their king How God warned the tribes of Israel in the north Amos 2:6-8, 13-16; Hosea 11:1-7 How God punished the Israelites 2 Kings 17:5-6a,7 How God warned the people of Judah many times Isaiah 39:5-7; Jeremiah 22:2-5 How God punished the people of Judah 2 Kings 24:20b 25:1, 3-12,18-21 Part 4 The LORD God promised to send a Saviour to his people God himself will come to be with his people Isaiah 40:3-5, 9-11 He will come as a human being, the Son of Man Daniel 7:13-14 The Saviour will be a king, in the lineage of David. He will rule all nations forever. Isaiah 9:1-7 How the Saviour will be born Isaiah 7:14 The Saviour will be born in Bethlehem Micah 5:2-5 The Saviour will bring good news to those who suffer Isaiah 61:1-3 The Saviour will suffer the punishment of the sins of his people Isaiah 53:1-12 A messenger will come to prepare the way for the Saviour God promised to send Malachi 3:1-3 How Gods people should live Micah 6:6-8 Wonderful Plan of God series summary.doc, page 5 of 6 no. Title Aims to communicate BOOK FOUR Section title and references B O O K F O U R The work of the Spirit of God Alternative titles: How people began to follow Jesus Christ in many places Or The growth of Gods church Selections from Acts 194 verses (approx) Passages that show the working of the Holy Spirit, the patterns of leadership and growth in the church, and especially how God acted to preserve and encourage the believers when under persecution or other trials and difficulties. Things that happened after Jesus rose with life again Acts 1:1-5,8 How Jesus left this world and rose up into the sky. One day he will return again Acts 1:9-11 How God sent his Spirit to be with those who believe in him Acts 2:1-13 Peter preaches to the crowd Acts 2:14-21 The message that Peter preached Acts 2:30-33, 36-40 How those who believed the gospel began to meet together Acts 2:41-47 How Peter healed a crippled beggar Acts 3:1-11 How the believers shared their possessions with one another Acts 4:32-37 The story of Ananias and Sapphira Acts 5:1-11 How many people came to believe in Jesus as the Saviour God had promised to send Acts 5:12-16 How the apostles appointed deacons to look after the believers Acts 6:1-7 How the leaders of Judea arrested Stephen Acts 6:8-7:1 How they stoned Stephen Acts 7:54-60 How Philip explained the good news to an official from Ethiopia Acts 8:26- 40 How Saul became a follower of Jesus Christ Acts 9: 1-20 The Lord showed Peter that God calls people of all nations to come to him Acts 10:9-16 How the believers preached the good news in many different places Acts 11:19-26 How the believers sent Barnabas and Saul out to preach the good news Acts 13:1-3 How Paul and Luke preached the good news in Philippi Acts 16:16-34 How Paul preached the good news in Athens Acts 17:16-17, 22-34a Things that Paul did in Corinth Acts 18:1-11 The testimony of the apostle Paul Philippians 3:8-14 How the good news reached people of different nations Revelation 7:9-12

 Wonderful Plan of God series summary.doc, page 6 of 6

no. Title Aims to communicate BOOK FIVE Section title and references B O O K F I V E Words for the followers of Jesus Selections from the Epistles and Revelation 252 verses (approx) The message of salvation and new life (summarising the revelation made through the Old Testament and through the gospel) The grace of God and the enabling power of the Holy Spirit The unity of the body of Christ Spiritual warfare The Holy Spirit, his enabling, the gifts he gives to the church The way that believers should live: practical advice for followers of Jesus Other issues: The Lords supper, the resurrection of the body The message of reconciliation God has made a way for us to walk together with God
2 Corinthians 5:17-19 God has given us new life through Jesus Christ Romans 3:21-25 The mercy and grace of God Ephesians 2:4-10, Romans 8:1,2; 10:8-10 Live now for the glory of God Romans 6:12-14 The unity of the body of Christ There is nothing that separates those who follow Jesus Christ Galatians 3:26- 29, Ephesians 4:1-6, Colossians 3:12-15, 1 Corinthians 1:10-12, 1 John 1:3-10 Beware of false teachers Acts 20:28-32, 2 Peter 2:1-3 The followers of Christ will suffer persecution Romans 12:14-21, Hebrews 10 32-36, James 1:2-8,12; 1 Peter 1:3-9, 5:10- 11,. We are fighting against Satan and his forces (God has given us what we need so that we do not fall) Ephesians 6:10-20 Set your mind on God and on the good (real) things of heaven Colossians 3:1-4 The Holy Spirit helps us Romans 8:26-32,38-39, Galatians 5:16-26 The Spirit of God gives gifts/abilities/power to the church 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 How the followers of Christ should live Love one another 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Respect those in authority and pray for them Timothy 2:1-2, 1 Peter 2:13- 14, Respect all people equally James 2:2-9 Be faithful in marriage Hebrews 13:4-5, 1Corinthians 6:13b-20 How followers of Jesus Christ should behave toward their husbands and their wives Ephesians 5:21-32 How followers of Jesus Christ should behave to their parents and their children Ephesians 6:1-4 Caring for Gods servants and practising hospitality to strangers 3 John 5-8, Hebrews 13:1-3 Be careful how you speak James 3:1-12 Pray for those who are sick James 5:13-16 How we should remember the death of the Lord Jesus The Lords supper 1 Corinthians 11:23-28 Words about the future We will rise from death 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:21-23 The Spirit of God showed the Apostle John things that will happen in the future Revelation 4:1-11; 7:9-17; 21:1-8,22-27 The Lord Jesus will return. Revelation 22:1-7,12-13,21

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Extracted text from https://map.bloomfire.com:

MAP Search Log In Register MODULAR AGGREGATION OF PRINCIPLES FOR BIBLE TRANSLATION Loading post... TOWARD SYSTEMATIC TRANSLATION CHECKING PROCEDURES

About the Contributors Part of Series: Guidelines for Bible Translators Categories: Biblical and Cultural StudiesProject ManagementTranslation TheoriesTranslation Tools Tags: translation studiesadministrationtranslationbible translationhistory of bible translationtheories of bible translation