A Practical Guide to Bible Translation Projects

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls ... (Jeremiah 6:16)

This is the second book written in a series on Bible translating. The first was A Practical Theology of Bible Translating. This second book adds to the theology, but focuses more on the practical aspects of starting, conducting, and finishing a translation project. A book like this is extremely important. We live in an age when the old paths have been all but forgotten when it comes to Bible translating. Many have forgotten the importance of the actual words God inspired. They think the only thing that matters is to carry the meaning or message into the translation. Meaning is important, but I argue that the meaning is imbedded in the inspired words, and that it is those words with the proper meaning that are to be translated. Translation projects and local situations differ greatly. So, there is no one standard plan or pattern that fits all projects.

There are six categories in this book about translating:

1. Convictions that are absolutely necessary to be a good translator: the inspiration, preservation, and sufficiency of the Word of God.

2. Basic principles of Bible translation.

3. Organizing and operating the translation team and project.

4. The theology and practice of the work of translating

5. Techniques to check and test the translation.

6. Printing and distributing the translation.

It is our prayer that this guide will result in many new translation projects and further spread the preaching of the precious Word of God.