Language and Communication

Bible Storytelling Bible Translation Orality

Selecting and Using Scripture Portions Effectively in Frontier Missions

The first foot forward in Scripture selection?

Rick Brown (2001)

Most frontier Bible translators would agree that one of the major goals of their role in the total mission task is that the receptor language community would gain access to adequate Scriptures. Scriptures may be defined as being "adequate" when…

RichardFebruary 19, 2009

Orality

Communicating God’s Message in an Oral Culture

Communicating effectively to non-readers

Rick Brown (2004)

It is only natural for us to bring to our work the bias of our own ways of thinking, learning, and communicating. But unless we can adapt our communications to our audience, we will limit our audience to those who…

RichardFebruary 19, 2009

Bible Translation Language Issues

Promoting vernacular Scriptures where a national language translation is venerated

David L Payne (1988)

One of the major obstacles for the acceptance of an idiomatic translation of the Scriptures into a vernacular language where there is some form of established church is that often there is a strong veneration of a translation of the…

RichardFebruary 16, 2009

Language Issues Marketing and Distribution

Diglot New Testaments – Pros and cons

Warren Glover (1982)

Arguments against a diglot version focus on matters of cost, production time, and difficulty, and bulkiness versus ease of handling. Arguments for the diglot are mostly in the area of factors which will promote the use of the publication. The…

RichardFebruary 16, 2009

Bible Study Discipleship Literacy

Literacy for Life: a Tool for the Church?

A church-based literacy program for Ghana

Pat Herbert (2006)

The pastor will find that not only can his congregation read the Scriptures in their own language, but they will show a greater depth of understanding God’s Word and show growth in their Christian lives. Community literacy projects have been…

RichardFebruary 14, 2009

Advocacy Bible Translation Language Issues Marketing and Distribution

The use and lack of use of translated Scriptures

Margaret Hill (2000)

Common factors emerge that affect Scripture use: level of literacy, prestige of the language, and attitude of church leaders. A wide variety of reasons account for published Scriptures not being used. They include a lack of literacy, a language that…

RichardFebruary 2, 2009

Bible Storytelling Bible Translation

Chronological Storying – a case history

Translating a Story-tellers' Bible for storying

CeliaB (2003)

Chronological Storying... needs to be underpinned by a solid, reliable translation in the target language. To reach an isolated community, Chronological Storying can be an effective tool. However, storytellers need to be aware of the translation principles and key terms…

RichardJanuary 20, 2009

Literacy

How literacy can harm Scripture Use

Margaret Hill (2003)

Traveling to different countries in Africa, I’ve noticed one important link between Scripture use and literacy, and that is how literacy can harm Scripture use! It is clear that it is right and proper to have an emphasis on teaching…

RichardJanuary 15, 2009

Bible Translation

Choosing Relevant Scriptures

Rick Brown (2004)

We should give specific attention to certain themes and portions of the Bible that are particularly appealing 'door openers' to some audiences. Different people, in different circumstances, will be able to identify more with certain characters and passages of the…

RichardJanuary 14, 2009

Culture Discipleship Women

Tharaka Female Circumcision

A Case Study in the Role of the Translation Organization

John L Ommani (2000)

When the Bible remains silent about certain cultural features, the Church... should assist the Christians to think through their traditions by digging deeper. In the Tharaka society of Kenya, female circumcision has held a prominent place. In recent years Christian…